The Freedom Thread (Continued) - Enjoying the positives of an alcohol free life *Title edited by MNHQ*

[BunniesBunniesBunnies]

Hello all,

This is a thread for people who have decided that life is much better without alcohol!🤩 These threads were started by @Drybird, and they have changed the lives of many people.

Some posters on these threads have been sober for a long time, and some are only just starting. We are a very friendly and inclusive bunch and we are always excited when someone new joins the thread. The only thing we ask is that our posters have given up alcohol completely. Talk of moderation can be triggering for some people, so this thread is not the right place for that (there are other moderation threads🙂).

I hope to see many familiar names on this thread, and some new ones too! We always welcome anyone to share their feelings, ask questions or simply “check in”🙂

I’d also like to thank @Breathmiller for hosting the last thread (and to ask for your forgiveness for shamelessly stealing your thread title😳) - Thank you @Breathmiller 💐

Thanks all!

Bunnies

I've set myself up a savings account, in a different bank so it's seperate and out of sight, and putting 10 a week in it which is less than I would have spent on wine (I might start putting a bit more in the new year). So this is helping to motivate me a bit.

That’s a great thing to do @SilverPeacock! I’ve saved nearly £3000 apparently😱 (my app adds it all up for me).

@Adm1010 and @ChampooPapi great posts from your both👍👍👍

Thanks @BunniesBunniesBunnies. I can believe that 3 grand, alcohol is so expensive especially when out, even though it's secondary to our recoveries it's a big added plus to being t total.

@Adm1010 totally get it when you say about getting back on that horse! I’m sure your posts are a good inspiration for many of us.

@ChampooPapi you are sounding like a force to be reckoned with - I shall stand to one side after conducting a risk assessment……
Welcome all newbies I’m having trouble keeping up but it’s so good to know people are joining in numbers.

I’m checking in and feeling strong even though life is throwing challenges my way. I realise how much more able I am to deal with issues with a clear head. I’m striving to maintain that belief.

Checking in . Nice chilled day ..

Had a gorgeous gift hamper delivered earlier from a friend of my husband. Full of salmon, pate , chutney , cheese , jam , cake etc . Really lovely things . This friend usually sends a case of high end wine and I think I’ve mentioned on here before my last big lapse after a two year abstinence was after receiving the wine . DH has obviously gently asked them not to send wine . I was really touched today to receive this gift .

That’s lovely @Adm1010. you’re doing great, keep going.

adm101 isn't that lovely. And so good to hear you feeling relaxed.

@AlloftheTime your striving is paying off, you are able to deal so well now with these challenges and issues that effect your personal life as well as the general stuff the world throws at you on a daily. I know I'm going to be at my most physically weak these next few days after such a smasher at the weekend. I take a lot of comfort in reading a post like yours, knowing strength and resilience will come again.

@ChampooPapi you have good insights into your actions and are aware of how you may feel in the next few days. These are huge strengths- I’m rooting for you.

@Adm1010 enjoy your goodies and also the sentiments and thoughts behind the choice of gift. You have some good allies and they sound supportive. Keep going and stay strong

@ChampooPapi
'something has clicked and I'm no longer scared of a future without alcohol. I'm scared on one with alcohol in it'
I love this and I'm taking it as my mission statement !
@Blackberryblossom
I'm thinking of making one of the AF Roulade recipes from BBC GF they look quite easy ( I always think this, mine will probably look like an abomination though)
Me- I'm checking in on day 18 and looking forward to my first AF Christmas in over 30 years !
My challenge this weekend is a night out at a friends house, these are 'drinking friends' we usually have a meal at each other's home and then sit around drinking and chatting until the early hours, I can see me getting bored by 9.00pm and irritated AF with their drunken conversation very soon after, I'm not going to cancel but I need to come up with something to make it easier ...

@PerfectHarmony I have this issue over Xmas at a big family party . It’s the one day a year DH gets drunk with his brothers . My boys are older and join in the drinking too . It gets very VERY silly in a good natured brothers bantering way but so bloody tiresome if sober …. So I’ve told him I’m driving . And at around 8pm ( it’s a day party starting at lunch ) when I know the poker and the silliness and the talking crap will be at its peak I’m going home . Simple as that . I’ll be going home and he and the boys can drink and let off steam and talk Bollocks and come home in a taxi when ready . I guess what I’m saying is have a plan in place and if it’s to much … leave!! No excuse needed . You leave .
@AlloftheTime I am indeed touched by the thought , the case of wine goes back years , it’s tradition with him and his friend , and I know this year it’s changed for me and that really matters . Plus the food is truly gorgeous stuff!!

Hi all!
I used to be TreesSandSea - was here from the start of the threads. So good to see old and new faces here!
I will be 2 yrs AF on December 29th. I love being alcohol free. My life is fuller, I feel better, I am a better mother and love it that I have my evenings back.

It is so worth it. Keep on keeping on!

Wow @SmallGreenStripes that is amazing!!! Massive well done to you and thanks for popping back on the thread to inspire us all☺️

@ChampooPapi "starting from a more solid ground" resonates with me.

Also "I'm no longer scared of a future without alcohol. I'm scared of one with alcohol in it" REALLY resonates.

Previously I have always had all these "rules" - I'll only drink beer, I'll only drink at weekends, I'll only have 2 drinks, I'll quit for a month to reset....... on and on.

THIS time I don't want to look back. I want to quit for good. I don't want it in my life. Am I being optimistic? This time feels different.

Thank you @SmallGreenStripes . Hearing the positive stories of others really helps!!

@Adm1010 and @ChampooPapi - I too had another binge at the weekend/into Monday. It's also been coming but I only resisted for one bloody day! I've posted on other threads saying how embarrassed I am as people have been so supportive - but what's the point in denying it?

So I am on day 3 again and reading lots of quit lit/listening to podcasts. @Adm1010 - I managed over a month earlier this year but only socialising at home or where I could go to bed when the silliness started (Centre Parcs break). Ironically I can't stand being around drunk people and this was one of the reasons I started drinking too much in the first place - my parents were drinkers and it makes me feel unsafe and uncomfortable - but that's no excuse. It is my choice to tip the poison down my throat and I need to take responsibility for that.

I am also on This Naked Mind group and a guy posted today to say he had been "a full blown alcoholic" - missing work, lying to people, getting black out drunk on a regular basis, arguing with people - and he has managed to stay sober, so this gives me hope as I am (was??? fingers crossed) like him. So I need to believe that it can be done to give me hope that I can beat this bloody addiction.

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

smallgreenstripes massive well done on 2 years. It's amazing to see people come back and show how positive life is longer term AF.
Such an inspiration.

Hi everyone, checking in.

I was served a mulled wine on entering a friends house the other night, literally placed it in my hands when they took my coat. I protested but was assured it had been simmering all day and alcohol would be gone. I caved and I admit I did enjoy it but felt very able to stop after that one small cup. I do feel a bit weak but more determined that the holiday season won't get the better of me now.

@Stuckhere2021 our boats getting bigger!! But I’m so pleased we are all finding our way back and keeping on going …. Maybe it’s out of our systems now before the big day !

Having a very productive day today , most of the wrapping is done , taking a little break then back to it !

Thanks @Adm1010. Checking in on day 3. I'm feeling and looking better and managed to eat something. I will worry about losing weight after I've got the desire to drink out of my system. Did a bit of Christmas food shopping in my lunch break and it felt good to be outdoors, even though the weather is shocking.

KOKO everyone

Thank you @iamyourequal and @PerfectHarmony. I really like the idea of a treacle pudding. Or treacle tart. My husband is starting to sail close to “does it really matter?/it’s only a tiny bit/you’ve been dry all year” type comments. I think he’s got so used to me not drinking that he doesn’t see it as being difficult any more. And most of the time it’s not that difficult, but it would be so easy to follow a portion of whatever-infused Christmas pudding with a small whisky. And I really don’t want to go back to waking at night with hot flushes and feeling bloated and trying to work out the driving… so I shall remember @ChampooPapi’s words about a future with alcohol being more scary than one without alcohol. And definitely cheaper!

That hamper sounds like a lovely considerate gift @Adm1010!

Congratulations @SmallGreenStripes on your two years. It’s so good to see that it can be done and that the benefits keep coming.

Having to restart the clock again. Management away day. Said no to a drink, twice ordered a seedlip g&t and then caved when champagne came and had 3 glasses over a couple of hours. Not disastrous but not the AF life I want to lead.

Welcome back @Stuckhere2021. We’re definitely building safety in numbers to get through the festive season. Good to have you back.
Well done @SmallGreenStripes. I remember you from your old name. Congratulations on your nearly 2 years. That’s amazing. Tips for staying on track (and surviving Christmas) would be gratefully received !
This is my ‘non-work’ day. I’ve done a good bit of odd jobs and spring cleaning the house in prep for guests. Almost feel I can put trees and decorations up now. Friday night I think. I have a tonne still to do but must say I’m actually better prepared this Christmas being sober. Yah! 😃

Day 18 and it's starting to get harder! The hangxiety has gone so that is no longer helping. I have been keeping notes so I can look back to how I felt when drinking compared to now which is keeping me on track. It's crazy how I know I'm much better off without it but the temptation is still so strong!!