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Original poster

We enjoyed dry January so much. We thought we would do dry February, romancing into the AF way of life 💖

55 replies

StarryNightSparkles · 12/01/2022 13:48

Hi everyone 👋

I've started this thread for anyone who would like to carry on after DJ and do DF 😊
Everyone is more than welcome. This is a thread of support and kindness.

My reasons for wanting to do DF is basically January is flying in really quickly and I would like to carry on helping my body recover after years of drinking wine most nights.

Good luck for February 💖💐

OP posts:
Absoluteweapon · 12/01/2022 13:58

I'm in! On day 10 of dry jan but intending to go until end of April this year. Made 100 days last year. Would like to better that for 2022.

Original poster
StarryNightSparkles · 12/01/2022 14:07

Welcome @Absoluteweapon this is my day 11 of DJ. 100 days is amazing well done for that great achievement. I would love to go all the way to April but at the moment it's a scary thought. Going to work through those feelings. I feel more in control of taking it one month at a time. Lots of luck and I am sure you will reach the end of April. I find forward planning helpful.

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Absoluteweapon · 12/01/2022 14:13

I reckon if you can imagine going through February you'll find continuing on easy.

I always think it's the people that drink more and drink regularly that find giving up for long periods of time easier - because they can feel the benefits and they enjoy feeling in control.

The weekend drinkers, or those that have a couple of glasses a few times a week tend to struggle more.

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 12/01/2022 18:16

Have been dry so far all Jan.
I'm tired and aching from the gym.
Wavering this pm.
So have jumper in the bath & DH is running out to get some AFs.... Confused

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 12/01/2022 18:16

@HoliHormonalTigerlilly

Have been dry so far all Jan. I'm tired and aching from the gym. Wavering this pm. So have jumper in the bath & DH is running out to get some AFs.... Confused
"Jumped" not jumper.
Potatopotate · 12/01/2022 21:25

Jumper in the bath does sound like fun though Grin

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 12/01/2022 21:38

Phew the bath & AF beers did the trick. Grin

Pikaso · 13/01/2022 07:24

I’m up for dry February! My ultimate goal is to complete dry 2022 but small steps … dry January is my priority and then I’ll move onto dry February. Day 11 for me ☺️

Original poster
StarryNightSparkles · 13/01/2022 10:51

@Absoluteweapon thank you and that makes sense. @HoliHormonalTigerlilly well done for sticking af it's difficult when the cravings call. @Pikaso welcome, wishing you lots of luck for 2022. Yeah dry January is my first goal and like you one day at a time.

Good luck to us all for January.

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teaandtoastwithmarmite · 13/01/2022 10:54

Hi there I'm on another thread about giving up alcohol but thought I'd say hello as could do with as much support as I can get. More of a binge drinker than a regular drinker but can't handle it so need to stop Smile

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 13/01/2022 10:55

On day 18 as stopped after Boxing Day

Original poster
StarryNightSparkles · 13/01/2022 11:17

Hi @teaandtoastwithmarmite welcome. Well done on day 18 that's a great achievement are you planning on stopping for good?

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teaandtoastwithmarmite · 13/01/2022 11:22

Thank you @StarryNightSparkles. Yes I've had enough of the getting drunk and embarrassment the next day Confused. I don't drink that much really but I quite often drink too much and act like an idiot or worry that I can't remember stuff so I had to really.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 13/01/2022 11:23

Well done to you all for getting so far too Smile

Jitters22 · 13/01/2022 11:48

I'm doing dry Jan and also thinking of extending it a bit. Maybe until my son's birthday on 15th Feb, or even beyond that. Not missing it in the slightest at the moment so might as well just keep going for a bit.

I've actually been thinking quite seriously about going dry every third month. So we already do Stoptober and Dry Jan. it would just mean also going dry in April and July.

This would work out quite well for me as my birthday is in early May, and it's nice to have a few drinks then and also take my holidays in August so again that would be a drinking month.

I've decided I don't want to live a life entirely without wine. I'm too old, have too few vices and sitting in the garden on an August evening with a soft drink or a cup of tea just isn't the same as sitting with a lovely glass of red.

Likewise, sipping a sherry while making Christmas dinner wouldn't be the same if I was sipping coke or orange juice.

But it's also good to have a break now and then, so drink 8 months of the year, but don't drink in October, April, July and January?

Absoluteweapon · 13/01/2022 12:06

One thing I've also done in previous years is give up for January, then have a couple of weeks break and then give up for Lent.

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 13/01/2022 12:56

Hello @StarryNightSparkles 👋
Thanks for the welcome.
I find the AF really helps!
Out for some drinks this weekend for a friend's bday. Fingers crossed I can stay dry 🤞🤞🤞

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 13/01/2022 12:57

@Jitters22

I'm doing dry Jan and also thinking of extending it a bit. Maybe until my son's birthday on 15th Feb, or even beyond that. Not missing it in the slightest at the moment so might as well just keep going for a bit.

I've actually been thinking quite seriously about going dry every third month. So we already do Stoptober and Dry Jan. it would just mean also going dry in April and July.

This would work out quite well for me as my birthday is in early May, and it's nice to have a few drinks then and also take my holidays in August so again that would be a drinking month.

I've decided I don't want to live a life entirely without wine. I'm too old, have too few vices and sitting in the garden on an August evening with a soft drink or a cup of tea just isn't the same as sitting with a lovely glass of red.

Likewise, sipping a sherry while making Christmas dinner wouldn't be the same if I was sipping coke or orange juice.

But it's also good to have a break now and then, so drink 8 months of the year, but don't drink in October, April, July and January?

Love this idea!
Original poster
StarryNightSparkles · 13/01/2022 13:14

@teaandtoastwithmarmite I know what you mean that's me also when I have a drink. I think will have a few glasses then before I know it 2 bottles have gone and its 4am. During the week it was 1 bottle and 1/2am. This journey for me is all about reflecting and making positive changes. I would love to have a full year off but it makes me panic and that feeling is where the issue is. @Jitters22 that's a great idea with a middle ground, will definitely give it some thought. @Absoluteweapon again a good idea. Thank you both very much for your thoughts. You have both made me think outside the box rather than a all or nothing approach. @HoliHormonalTigerlilly af drinks are really good and I actually think they taste better than the alcohol versions. I am trying to limit my af drinks as I don't want to substitute alcohol for alcohol free drinks in a ideal world I would like to break the behaviour. But they are amazing to have in the house to reach for rather then an alcoholic drink. Maybe I am being to hard on myself on that front. Still not had any strong cravings for alcohol long may it continue. At the moment I would be scared to have a drink because I know that I wouldn't stop at one. Hope you have a fab night out this weekend I am sure all will be fine. If you need a hand hold before you go out, we are here.

OP posts:
Original poster
StarryNightSparkles · 13/01/2022 13:19

I know that I drink alcohol to cope with stress. So forward planning for February is to try and identify triggers of stress and write myself a list of relaxing things to do rather than drinking.

The thought of going into February af scared and panicked me. Now I have made my mind up and started this thread with you lovely people joining in. It's giving me confidence to work through the fear of jumping into another month af. It's really good to know that I am not alone in this.

Thank you all 💐💖

OP posts:
Pikaso · 13/01/2022 14:46

@StarryNightSparkles

I know that I drink alcohol to cope with stress. So forward planning for February is to try and identify triggers of stress and write myself a list of relaxing things to do rather than drinking.

The thought of going into February af scared and panicked me. Now I have made my mind up and started this thread with you lovely people joining in. It's giving me confidence to work through the fear of jumping into another month af. It's really good to know that I am not alone in this.

Thank you all 💐💖

Have you thought about starting a journal? I bought one off Amazon and you can set your weekly, monthly and yearly goals in it and after each month there is a page to reflect on your month - what went well, what can be improved next month etc … I’m going to write my triggers down and use it to keep focussed in February ☺️
Rupertpenrysmistress · 13/01/2022 15:11

Hi I am in, enjoying dry Jan. Ideally I would like to never drink again but one day at a time. I love the support on these threads

canyon2000 · 13/01/2022 15:39

@StarryNightSparkles checking in ready for February! It's my birthday in Feb so looking forward to ticking off an AF day then!

Mybestyear · 14/01/2022 08:28

Hi everyone 👋. I’m day 14 DJ/ day 19 AF which I can hardly believe!! Terrible binge drinker and was well on the way to losing everything- think literally falling asleep in the gutter type bingeing - truly awful. Planning on AF for life but mind copes Better with chunks so am doing DJ, then 100 days etc.

I can really only concentrate properly on one thread at a time- read plenty but in terms of who is who etc, one at a time makes me comit to posting. So I’ll see you all again on February 1st!! Flowers Brew Cake ❤️💪

Original poster
StarryNightSparkles · 14/01/2022 18:48

See you in Feb mybestyear 😊

I do journal pikaso but don't write my goals down. Thanks very much for your tip will try that out.

Canyon af birthday is a great goal to have.

Hi Rupert, I agree these threads are fab.

Sorry everyone for some reason I can't tag. Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend.

Good luck to us all. February will be here in a flash and after a DJ the good effects of giving up alcohol will really start to kick in.

OP posts: