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

Checking in- 21 days without a drink although I've been sorely tested by the last day- freezer packed up and then the internet (internet now back, freezer terminal). Internet of course packed up on the first day it's rained in months, when I couldn't just throw the children outside and tell them to play "victims of 1970's parenting". Plus we now have what looks to be an out of control omicron outbreak which is a problem in a country aiming for zero covid. The boss up North will not be happy. Mr Prisoner went straight out to buy a 10kg bag of rice in case our building gets locked down.

Unfortunately, I may have to make a difficult decision to bring DC back to UK at easter as they simply cannot miss anymore school. It's getting ridiculous. We've been more off than on since Jan 2020- DS missed most of year 4&5. But that means DH having to stay here by himself and I know he'd rather not. So that sucks, BUT I am finding it so much easier to mentally grapple with all the considerations and moving parts and potential solutions when I'm not drinking. If I have a few wines I either think "right, we'll leave tomorrow. Pack your stuff kids" or go completely the other way - "meh, it'll be fine. who needs school anyway?". Then I wake up and think "what the hell was I thinking?". I need to be able to trust myself to make the right (if imperfect) decision.

@PrisonerofZeroCovid

My judgement and temper are improving. I normally have a drink to process crap or trauma.
21 days, well done you.
I don't like the headaches but my breath has improved, no rats arse in the morning 😁

@BunniesBunniesBunnies you're doing a tremendous job of this thread! If you feel you have capacity then carry on, but, equally if you need a break maybe someone else would carry the torch for a bit. If that's the case, I don't think it has to be someone who is long term sober. There just needs to be the commitment. After all, I started the first thread in the series before I'd even quit!
It's a busy place at this time of year, so has a momentum of its own. Starting the thread doesn't mean you have to be here every single day, I dont think.

Checking in 🙌

@ChampooPapi

Checking in 🙌

Good to hear from you Champ! Hope you are doing okay 👍

Day 15.
Checking in.
I bought Eiberg AF wine yesterday, twas OK.
Falling asleep at 8.45 again. Does anyone know why?
Up early but feeling knackered.
I am usually OK on a Sunday booze wise as i normally drive a long way on a Monday so not regularly a Sunday boozer.
Good luck today.

Had a little count up . 140 days today.

It still can consume my mind though , no way is it a way of life yet . But then I suppose I never want to get complacent .

Got a family “ do “ next weekend . It’s on my mind , it’s a big celebration . One that would usually require a bit of bubbly ! Guess I’ll be toasting with nosecco ! We are hosting so I’m in charge of buying the drinks so guess I’ll stock up the AF !

Off to work soon but hoping for a quiet day to slope off early as I’ve then got a blissful weeks annual leave !

@Adm1010

140 days, that's impressive. What made you go AF?

@SavBbunny I’ve drank dependantly for years . Had a 2 year period of abstinence but otherwise daily drinking for 25 ish years

I had a fibro scan which showed stage 2 liver fibrosis so I’m in the last chance saloon to reverse the damage before it progresses to irreversible damage .

That’s the potted version

@Adm1010

Gosh. How difficult for you. My brother is on dialysis for kidney disease. He is now terminal. He has been alcohol dependent for twenty years. He will not recover.
My dcs hate me drinking and I have a back story of scrapes and partying. No one in my household really drinks. I wanted to help my brother. Which means no alcohol for me. Thank you for sharing. X

I’m sorry about your brother that’s very difficult

Keep going with the abstinence x

I've not been on so much lately. A mixture of life getting in the way and feeling like I am just rolling along with being AF now.

I do dip in and read though.

bunnies thanks for holding the thread this time, you have done a wonderful job.

I have to admit that I don't think I have the headspace to do it again at the moment, work and studies have just stepped up a bit and I'm also focusing on other things I'd like to get a hold of so not really in the AF chat zone so much.

Doesn't mean to say i won't in the future.

Any newer folks who are here every day? You don't have to feel like you have nailed it to "host". Just have a presence now and again.

Oh and drybird I love the fact your yoga teacher reminds you of me. I was in my studio when I read that I suddenly thought I would love to have you all there and we could breathe into our kidneys and talk about the moon. 🤣

If no one else steps up I could do it. I write everyday. Diary keeper! However I am a newbie and don't have 100%confidence in my ability to stay off the booze. Been hiding really for 15 days. I wouldn't want to spoil the thread.

@SavBbunny it was checking in every day that forced me to stay off the booze when I was finding it difficult! I just kept imagining what an arse I'd feel if I had to come on here and say I'd had a slip up. 😆 I even dreamt I'd done it, once. I was very glad to wake up from that one.

@Drybird2020
I did have a dream about a champagne lunch. Bloody marvellous. However have lost 7 lbs so definitely working for wls. It will be easier when I am back at work.

I can host the next one

I check in daily even if I don’t post

Right I’ve done it but I am sorry I don’t know how to link it!!!

I don't think that worked I'll get it deleted. Anyone else?

Soooo glad it’s not just me

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/4461184-The-freedom-thread-continued-Riding-the-rollercoaster-of-an-alcohol-free-life

I did it!!!! Go me!!!

Link above for new thread xxx

Hey well done @Adm1010