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Original poster

(Extended) Sober October?

77 replies

ScumbagDave · 25/09/2021 09:25

Is anyone planning to do Sober October this year?

I've started a bit early (yesterday). Definitely have been drinking too frequently, (not huge quantities, but too many times per week), lately! I slept like a baby last night from about 10 o'clock, when normally I'd be up till midnight watching nonsense on telly and then up in the night if I've had a glass or two of wine!

Please join me on here if you want a Sober October buddy Grin

PS: I did look and couldn't see a thread running on here, but if I've missed it, apologies for duplicating. Let me know and I'll see if HQ will delete this

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NaToth · 25/09/2021 09:32

Seriously thinking about it. Have been sober since August Bank Holiday Monday and thinking that carrying on would probably be a good idea.

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 25/09/2021 09:40

Oh well done you! Well, if you decide to continue with it, please feel free to be my crutch buddy Wink

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DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 26/09/2021 15:17

Yes!
I'm so in!

I've just done sober September and if I don't follow something with others for a bit longer, I feel like I'm going to go back to old habits.

So could really do with a likeminded thread.

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 26/09/2021 15:23

Hello don't bite!

Well, I'm only on day three here and I'm fecking exhausted! I'd heard I'd be unable to sleep if I was used to having a wine or two on most nights of the week, (which I sort of am), and then gave up. I have found the opposite to be true!

I did stay up late last night, watching nonsense on telly, but didn't drink. So tired today I'm about to have a nap Blush. It seems I was somewhat fuelled by alcohol Wink

Did either of you find you were tired when you stopped drinking? I kept reading that insomnia was more likely. I should probably be grateful I don't have that.

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DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 26/09/2021 18:50

@ScumbagDave

Hello don't bite!

Well, I'm only on day three here and I'm fecking exhausted! I'd heard I'd be unable to sleep if I was used to having a wine or two on most nights of the week, (which I sort of am), and then gave up. I have found the opposite to be true!

I did stay up late last night, watching nonsense on telly, but didn't drink. So tired today I'm about to have a nap Blush. It seems I was somewhat fuelled by alcohol Wink

Did either of you find you were tired when you stopped drinking? I kept reading that insomnia was more likely. I should probably be grateful I don't have that.

I have that for the first 4-5 days as well.

That should ease off!

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 26/09/2021 18:55

Oh that's a relief! I look forward to the amazing burst of energy, glowy skin and so on.

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Original poster
ScumbagDave · 26/09/2021 18:58

I fell asleep after I posted earlier and only woke up about an hour ago 😅

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Suzi888 · 26/09/2021 19:01

Yeah Sad need a break here. Not downing loads but glass of wine (sometimes 2/3 if weekend)
I wait til after 9, child in bed, proper treat.
I raid the fridge like a pig on crack.

Suzi888 · 26/09/2021 19:01

Glasses not bottles btw!

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 26/09/2021 19:04

@Suzi888

Glasses not bottles btw!
Lol, yes same when I said earlier "a couple of wines". I too mean glasses!
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AgnesV · 27/09/2021 20:24

I'll join. Have a drink days app and it starts on Monday so its always nicer to do full weeks.

Lockdown/ WFH etc has been very bad for my drinking habits and have slipped back into bad ones after a few weeks off in the summer so up for a reset.

Always nice to have company - will try to post every day to keep up momentum

AgnesV · 27/09/2021 20:29

I find not drinking = not sleeping too. Then end up watching rubbish TV etc etc and feeling knackered.

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 27/09/2021 20:29

Hello Agnes! Yes, I can definitely see the merit in trying to post everyday. A bit of accountability maybe.

I'm on day four now and not too tired today, but still looking forward to my bed. I have a yoga class in the morning, so am looking forward to feeling very zen with the class and also no booze.

Reading a new book at the moment and am halfway through already. I'm sure I had this last time I did a few weeks off alcohol - ended up reading quite a lot more, which I think is a good thing.

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Fordian · 27/09/2021 22:00

I'm in. Started today.

I need it for weight loss and health. I drink to manage menopause and anxiety, crazy mood swings, emotionally all over the shop (I am on HRT, too), so not that great!

I am going to try to restrict my drinking to two evenings a week initially as I'm not sure I could go cold turkey, but one day at a time.

I worry about insomnia,as I struggle enough- and have been known to have a couple of (big) glasses if I'm on day three of only 4-5 hours hours sleep... when I need some sleep.

I'm hoping the insomnia, if I get it, won't last long. That might break me!

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 28/09/2021 08:25

That sounds really tough Fordian. Very good luck with it!

I'm sure I read that cutting out alcohol helps with menopause symptoms, including sleep issues, so maybe it will help in the long run?

I've had the opposite issue, as I've been sleeping a bit too much. Although I did get up in the night last night, but think that was just because I'd drunk an entire pot of camomile tea shortly before bed and needed a wee! The tiredness does seem to be evening out now. Fifth day for me here.

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Dulsesunset · 28/09/2021 08:35

I’m in too - day 2 here. I drink I think to manage anxiety but deep down I just know it is making it worse. Also menopausal and I feel so much better when I don’t drink but I always slip back into bad habits. I have a couple of occasions in October where I’ll probably have a drink but I want to stop the mindless drinking at home.

Fordian · 28/09/2021 13:53

Yes, the mindless drinking at home is the thing with me, too.

Had a bit of a bad night's sleep and woke up with a headache 🙄 but hoping to get through this evening without alcohol!

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 28/09/2021 14:33

Hello sunset! Yes, I can definitely see why you'd approach it that way.

I seem to be all or nothing - maybe not in terms of how much I drink, but in how much I think about it. So I have to focus on moderating too much. For me cold turkey is probably better, but everyone's different.

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Fordian · 28/09/2021 21:44

Managed night two. Was a bit more of a struggle than I thought, if I'm honest. And I'm a bit bored.

Inside my head is a lot more interesting with a couple of wines on board but inside my liver possibly isn't... 😂

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 28/09/2021 21:51

Well done ford! I hope you get a better night's sleep tonight 🤞

And yes, I'm sure our livers are grateful for the break!

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AgnesV · 28/09/2021 22:50

Evening all. Doing ok here but totally agree with @Fordian about mindless drinking and boredom.

I am going back to working in office tomorrow for first time since last March, on bus because of no petrol. Am totally not looking forward to it at all.

Fordian · 29/09/2021 20:37

Well, the night of day two, which was last night, I once again slept 5 hours. My eyes are like sandpaper this evening.

My Weds at work are always a bit stressful, so I was desperate to nip into Tesco to get a bottle on the way home, but I didn't.

I wish I felt prouder of myself. I'm feeling a bit meh, and a bit bored. But day 3 almost done.

I generally don't reach for my first drink after 7pm.

Dulsesunset · 29/09/2021 21:32

Well done Fordian - I too have done day 3 successfully. My main danger/craving time is when I am cooking/eating dinner - if I get through that I am much more likely to avoid having a drink. I am also keeping out of supermarkets to avoid the temptation of popping a bottle in the trolley

AgnesV · 30/09/2021 00:21

Eve all. I'm with you @Fordian on the non sleeping. Felt tired earlier. Went to sleep. Woke up and now have wasted time scrolling on phone and can't sleep. Arghhhhh.

At least have not drunk anything.

I think it will get better. Drinking wine as a cure for boredom is not a good life strategy but it takes your brain quite a long time to get with the new programme.

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 30/09/2021 08:21

That's amazingly string willed of you ford! Well done!

Sorry for not posting yesterday evening. I got caught up in a book and nonsense TV and didn't check Mumsnet!

I think I must be on day seven now! So I've done a week... Or maybe will have done by the end of the day. Whatever it is, it's longer than I've gone in a while. Tomorrow is the official start date too! Expect I'll see a lot of it on SM and can actually feel good that I'm doing it. Normally I have to scroll past as I feel guilty I haven't done it 😅

Hope everyone got some reasonable sleep. I was ok, but stayed up too late watching telly. Then woke up needing the loo again - bloody elderflower cordial before bed! I'm tired still, but maybe that is my natural state, but I've been disguising it with booze Grin

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