The freedom thread ( continued ) Riding the rollercoaster of an alcohol free life!

[Adm1010]

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🙂).

We are a supportive welcoming bunch. No question is ever to “ silly “ and their is generally someone around if you are struggling

So just come here to chat or vent or check in . Whatever you need as you ride the rollercoaster of an alcohol free life

Thankyou to bunnies for hosting the last thread.
And here’s to the next 40 pages

@Adm1010 Try not to be too disheartened by the extra stone, I bet your body is overall so much healthier for not drinking, even if you are a bit heavier! I’ve definitely found it important to address my vices one at a time… Booze first, then slowly the others. Do you like to exercise? I find it helps me feel good about myself and make better food choices. It can be tricky to find something you love though!

Just came on to say hello!

How is everyone doing?

@Adm1010 - same here, I'm bigger than pre quitting, once thing at a time. I've just signed up to a half marathon, spring is coming etc.... hoping that'll set me off on a healthier path food and exercise wise. Don't stress about it. Deal with one thing in isolation.

Day 29 here.

@Adm1010 I've been eating tons of sugar too and feel that I might be ready to wean myself off. I've put on about half a stone but agree with others - one thing at a time

My run of amazing sleep has ended. I'm so disappointed! Two disturbed nights in a row, I hope it's a blip.

@sunshineforest

Hello, my sleep has done the same. Was excellent now broken again . I have been hitting the AF wine so I think too much liquid.

@SavBbunny I’m definitely of an age that if I drink too much (of anything) in the evening, I’ll just be up millions of times in the night to pee😖

Hello all. Checking in. I've also put weight in - about 10lbs. I have been scoffing and not moving as much- I think because I'm developing the art of sitting with my emotions instead of trying to run away so that's good. I'm being kind to myself about the weight gain and confident that it will all be fine soon!!

Weight on not in

Pleased I'm not the only one filling out!!

day 10... finally had a good nights sleep bucking the trend up there, feel really good. Occaionally get a pang of 'never... never have that glass of chilled wine on holiday' but then i remember it is all a trap and i don't need it. Stay strong folks

It’s 100% a trap @Fortheloveofgodwhy. Society WANTS us to believe we need booze to have a good time, we really don’t!

Morning all,
Crappy day yesterday. Former company trying to block new appointment. Managed not to buy wine. Ex MD issuing threats. The man is a bully. I attract them. Called solicitor, wanted to lose myself in a glass, had nosecco, a bit of cheese and went to bed! Therapy this morning.

Morning
Sorry to hear about the crap you're dealing with @SavBbunny. Hope therapy goes well.

Slept badly last night. MiL rang me yesterday afternoon and said a few things that has set me off with anxiety so I'm trying to deal with that. Going to attempt a run later, not been for a while and it's hard to get back into it but I think it's beneficial.

Morning .

Thanks for input re weight gain etc I appreciate it .

Today I’m going to mainly skive and read Again Rachel . Which is great as I actually still feel ill . If it’s a joint or a muscle it’s aching!! Sore throat , runny nose . Feeling very sorry for myself!

@SavBbunny that sounds shit. Really well done for staying af.

I've just realised I have been miscounting and so today is day 32. I feel quite excited, I've done a couple of dry January's but this is the longest I have ever been without alcohol since I was about 14. Feels like uncharted territory

@sunshineforest

Funny how booze features from 14 isn't it. Not sure it is the same for youngsters these days. A bit more controlled than we were !
@Adm1010
Off to pick up the Again Rachel too.
@kindtomyself
Had the therapy, feel better. People are shits

I don't know where I'd be without therapy @SavBbunny I'm glad it helped.

I am really surprised by young people these days! I have a 16 yo who doesn't drink at all. My 12yo I suspect will be a different kettle of fish, he is very extravert and will be up for any party, but as far as I can see the expectations are quite different.

Of course 14 yos are no longer served southern comfort and Coke in any pub they choose

Checking in. Day 17.

@SavBbunny, that's awful. What is wrong with people?

@sunshineforest, interesting that your 16yo isn't interested in alcohol. Even if your younger one feels differently, I do think things will be different for him too. As you say, pubs aren't going to serve anyone who puts on enough make up / grows a goatee. Also, I think maybe enough of their peers will be choosing not to drink and the 'drinking every weekend' culture maybe won't exist to the same extent it did.

Totally agree with @BunniesBunniesBunnies and @Fortheloveofgodwhy; it's such a trap. Why are we told we need alcohol to make something 'an event'? I don't even think I enjoy drinking at events anymore. My new policy is that if I don't want to do something sober, I probably don't want to do it at all.

@Adm1010, sorry you're feeling crap. I've got a splitting headache today for some reason. Ruining my "I've finished with that job" buzz. I am leaving my current role and it was my last shift today. I am so happy. No mixed feelings about leaving. I practically skipped out of the building flipping some of the managers the bird (I didn't though - tempting as it was)

About to have a bath and read my book. Then school run.

'If I don't want to do something sober I probably don't want to do it at all'

I'm totally nicking this as my motto

Hehe, yeah, it's my new policy. Surprising how many things I've been to where, looking back, I think I was drinking just 'to get through it'!

@GoodMuse

Hehe, yeah, it's my new policy. Surprising how many things I've been to where, looking back, I think I was drinking just 'to get through it'!

Yes me too! Sounds pretty mental to do that

To make you all laugh my fleebay habit has gone down! No more pissed purchasing.
I am saving a fortune on wine so spending it on lazer treatment and counselling. One friend suggested i was wasting cash, feck that I have been pouring it down my poor gullet for years to feel better.

@SavBbunny

Ah the old drunken orders! I remember ordering a whole trolley of groceries for the next day while drunk . Woke up the next day and remembered doing it, but not what I'd ordered! Checked the order confirmation and there was some weeeeird choices 🤦‍♀️. We did eat it all eventually, but it was just a lot of quite random things.

Good for you for channeling all the money you're saving into self care. Much better investment!

I saw this mentioned somewhere else. The idea of community support is so relevant to these threads. I do love Clare Pooley. Her book was one of the ones that helped me in the early days. I love how she has continued to blog about sobriety and goes on supporting other people.

mummywasasecretdrinker.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-best-new-sober-blogs.html?m=1

Checking in 🙌

@Drybird2020
Thank you for the link.

41 days. Full night's sleep, hoorah.

New boss told off old one for trying to block me working (I have covenants). Nice to see someone has my back.
Husband brought home new Marian Keyes. Went to bed to read it and drink milk.

Friday always difficult.