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

@Adm1010 thanks, you get it. I have been struggling with an absence of joy in my life, I think this is partly down to menopause. So today I'm trying to be grateful for the small pleasures in everyday life, instead of always giving myself a headache trying to resolve big issues and questions

@Breathmiller progesterone is horrible, every time I've tried to take it I have an emotional breakdown. I couldn't tolerate the contraceptive pill either. There is the option of having a hysterectomy so I can just take estrogen but gynecologist thinks this is a bit extreme.

I think I'll just have to carry on with the antidepressants, perhaps I could up the dose.

@AlloftheTime @iamyourequal thank you laddies feeling a little better today bit as bleak

Not as bleak

@BunniesBunniesBunnies and @MyGhastIsFlabbered I can totally relate to not wanting to admit to myself I want to be alcohol free for the rest of my life. My issue is that most of my socialising has been based around drinking. I have mainly always been the instigator with friend groups etc but I don’t know if I want to arrange anything anymore if I can’t have a drink. Since being AF I have cancelled plans with friends and not made any new plans. I don’t know if it’s because I’m worried that I will be tempted to drink or just that I will be bored or I will be boring. Feels awful saying that.

Thankyou all so much .

I think the bump has passed!! We had a lovely evening just chilling and watched a film . I had a glass of the AF rose . We had a giggle and went to bed early and sober !

Up early today as I’m in work but whilst I’m not 100 percent I’m with you @Touty… not as bleak!! Xx

@iamyourequal day 200 is x great hisl , we’ve got this!!

@Blackberryblossom that voice is so surprising at times isn’t it!!! Just blasts out from left field!! And it’s why we need the tools to bat it right back!!!

A great goal … no idea what happened their!!

Catching up with the thread before I haul myself out of bed.

Congrats @Breathmiller on your milestone, also @iamyourequal, I hope life gets sweeter and sweeter for you. Well done @Adm1010 on negotiating that tricky patch.

Have a lovely day, everyone. Wednesday used to be a trigger day for me, I worked from home on Thursdays so I'd sink a bottle on a Wednesday night, then feel crap and be unproductive and unhappy . So glad to be free of all that shite!

So nice to feel free from all that shit isn’t it @Drybird2020!

21 months for me today and I’m feeling really, really good. Trying to look after myself so I can hold on to this nice feeling.

Holy shite, my app (which I rarely look at now) tells me this is 640 days, which is such a bloody long time, and that I have now saved over £3000😱😱😱 (which needless to say I have largely spent on frivolous crap to keep myself going😂)

Woohoo!! A proper celebration this time bunnies. Well done on your 21 months. I bet none that frivolous crap gave you a hangover.

Hahaha @Breathmiller it certainly didn’t! Mostly wasn’t that frivolous, I tried to get things that would give me joy for a long time (new running shoes, new coat etc). Though also some frivolous stuff like lipsticks I really don’t need etc! Still though, I definitely didn’t spend all of the £3000 and yes I’m most pleased none of it gave me a hangover😂😂😂

Congratulations Bunnies, that’s brilliant! No-one ever got a hangover from a lipstick, or two!

@BunniesBunniesBunnies amazing achievement!! Well done

And @Drybird2020 I love reading your posts . I’m glad you’re free of the shite as well … brilliant achievement x

Hope everyone is having a lovely peaceful evening

Just checking in. Hello everyone! Thanks for your kind words @Drybird2020.
£3k @BunniesBunniesBunnies. Magic, well done you!
I had a little mini pink cloud moment myself. I did an early supermarket shop after the school run this morning. I never did this pre-AF, due to Scotland’s licensing laws and the fact booze was always on our shopping list! It felt very virtuous (it was all healthy food due to new diet in which I don’t think I’ve lost an ounce yet ). I know I may have posted about this before, sorry, I’m at age already where I keep repeating myself (even sober!).

Checking in 👍
Toothache still here, waiting for dentist. Tempted to get some whiskey to gargle on and spit out but no I guess that's not a good idea.

Oil of clove instead, not sure if that is AF though 🤔

@Touty toothache is the worst!!! Not sure if gargling with whiskey is a good idea😅 Can you get a a shop/pharmacy for some cocodamol? Much more effective pain relief, especially when taken alongside ibuprofen. Hope it gets better soon.

@iamyourequal well done on your virtuous shop and this bit…

“ sorry, I’m at age already where I keep repeating myself (even sober!)”

… made me laugh so much! I’m exactly the same😂

Oh and thanks everyone for cheering me on and enabling my lipstick purchases😅💄

I've been lurking and reading the posts here. It's really helpful to think of not drinking as a positive gift to myself!

I've now gone three days without my usual large glass of wine (or more). I'm rarely hung over and I don't think that drinking has any measurable negative impact on my life, but I am tired of doing something that I know is bad for my body, and I can't help but wonder if I would feel less exhausted if I drank less.

I have been having a Beck's Blue every night in place of my typical nightcap, and have also been forcing myself to sleep earlier. So excited to see how I feel after a week of this

This thread really is a brilliant resource.

Hello everyone. I've not been around much because I just feel so under the weather. I'm just recovering from a migraine. Jeez. I'm wondering whether it's the menopause causing this....bloody hell. I've basically got all symptoms of chronic fatigue. I've been dealing with a lot of stuff emotionally and mentally so I could also be burnt out. Who knows.

I've read back on the messages I've missed as best I can. Hello to people who have joined.

Sorry to read @Touty and @Breathmiller and I think @Blackberryblossom and anyone else that you are all struggling with menopause. I hear you sisters!!!
@Newmum738 or @Newmum29 (sorry can't remember which one) you mentioned having symptoms that you thought might be peri menopause and yes they could be but it's quite difficult to know what's causing it.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words of support to me moaning on .

Finally I wanted to ask @Breathmiller or anyone else if they had done any body rolling and would they recommend it? It's popped up a couple of times and I'm interested

Day six here and no booze. I have had a headache two mornings running. Reading through 'Alcohol lied to me' and Bryony Gordon. Warned a few friends I am a bit blunt at present. (cousin not happy about losing drinking pal).

@Kindtomyself sorry you are under the weather . Gentle hugs to you

kindtomyself do you mean the (very hard) foam rollers or the little ball rolling?

@Savboozer that’s great keep going!
@Kindtomyself sorry you’re feeling rough.

Just placemarking to find out what body rolling is… I’m picturing people rolling through grassy fields and it sounds really therapeutic - a bit like laughter therapy😅