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

Hello everyone :)

I'm new to this thread. So today I've made the decision to give up alcohol completely. I tend to binge drink at weekends and/or any time there is a social occasion. I have also noticed that my tolerance is much more than it used to be but my hangovers are awful.

I spend a lot of time with family who are all very alcohol focused and will be the hardest to convince that I'm no longer interested in drinking . I have lots of reasons ...

1. The hangover / the fear that you might have said something to someone or embarrassed yourself.
2. The amount of weight I have gained.
3. The money/cost.
4. Trying to conceive.
5. Losing days lying in bed as I'm too tired to do anything else.
6. I just don't think I really enjoy it as much as much as I thought I did.

So wish me luck please as I put all the alcohol down the sink in hope of a healthier and happier life :)

Hi @Poppy101010 welcome.

Good luck and welcome @Poppy101010 . You’ve got some great reasons listed there, which is a really strong way to start. Lots of great women on here who can help, encourage, inspire and support so don’t hold back on posting. This place has been my secret weapon for staying alcohol free.

Welcome @Poppy101010! Your post rings a lot of bells. I was there 22 months ago and I could not be more grateful that I have quit. I am grateful every day. Well done for making the decision and good luck!

I finished a big project at work today, it was a real succes and to celebrate I danced around the kitchen completely sober and then went for a lovely run! It was a true celebration and felt so much better than just having a bottle of wine.

Keep going all!

Welcome poppy

@Poppy101010 welcome! All the best reasons for quitting there in one list!
Congrats @BunniesBunniesBunnies on the project and a happy kitchen dance should be on everyone’s reward list!
Checking in and wishing @ChampooPapi a good week.

Welcome @Poppy101010 lots of great reasons right there! Keep posting x

Morning all . Quick check in before work . Feeling calm and positive today . Have a good day all x

Morning all,

Just drank the second tea of the morning and it was nectar. Funny that as it use to be my sober up cure!
Final house viewing today and taking along my bestie incase I get carried away with the offer!
Found out friend grumpy re Friday's lunch as I wasn't drinking. She could have but didn't. Her choice and it wouldn't have worried me. I expect things to get easier.
Another friend dropped in Sunday and said i didn't bring wine as you are not drinking. She is a former senior nurse so i asked her what she thought of my drinking, she said not as bad as I thought I was. No apologies due there apparently (just checking because AA twelve steps include seeking forgiveness) hence why I don't go. I am happy to seek some insight to help me stay sober but not ready for absolution!
Have a good day my friends.

@Poppy101010 hello

Good luck with the viewing Sav.

Hi Poppy, your list sounds like my list, i am just over 3 weeks today.

I just heard another school mum died at the weekend, alcohol related but not sure on what level yet, she had young children and it is all just too sad. I feel for her children and her family. Devastating doesn't start to describe how they must be feeling. Its cemented for me all the reasons why i don't want to drink again. ever.

@Fortheloveofgodwhy that’s harrowing. Alcohol does cause so many deaths. Many more than drugs. It’s puzzling that we criminalise drugs (I’m not saying we shouldn’t but…) whilst society activity encourages people to drink. It’s messed up.

Goodness fortheloveofgod that is indeed a very sobering thought. Quite literally.

I had someone I knew email last year saying her husband had died through alcohol. I had worked with him a little and had no idea. It was so sad and cemented my resolve. Not only for his sake, he was a wonderful gentle man (when not drunk that is. I believe very different when he'd been drinking) but also for the devastation it left behind for his family.

I know there seems to be a slight decline in drinking in young people, lots are into health instead. I do hope as a society we keep going that way. I know there are many of us on this thread from Scotland and it really is a major issue here and has been my whole life. Not just alcohol related illnesses and deaths but drug related too. It's hard to change a nation's attitude to these things. It's so ingrained and a lot (but not all of course) to do with poverty. Very sad.

Hi everyone and hallo @Breathmiller , 18 months is very inspiring. Interesting to hear your perspective on moderation, I'm at 43 days and I know that there will be a dangerous stage when I think I can handle a drink.

I've been at a yoga and meditation retreat. It was just what I needed. I got back yesterday and am trying to put in some structure to keep both of them in my life. I've done them for years but very sporadically

Oh, lucky you sunshineforest
I love nothing better than a yoga retreat. It's like a reset time when you fully begin to realise the possibilities that are there when you look after yourself and create new and more healthy practises in your life. I am waaaay overdue going to one.

Hello all. Welcome@Poppy101010

I am so sorry to hear that @Fortheloveofgodwhy What a sad story, must be really difficult to process.

Hope the house viewing went well @SavBbunny I am sorry your friend was grumpy you didn't drink. That really does say more about her than you though. Even at my worst drinking I wouldn't have blamed someone else for not drinking.

I hope everyone is having a good evening.

Evening everyone. Not been on for a few days but lovely to read everyone’s posts and catch up. And so glad you returned before we had to put a search party out for you @Breathmiller! Well done on a month off spent in a productive fashion.

Welcome @Poppy101010 and all newbies. Writing start lists is such a good idea I found too (Annie Grace free Alcohol Experiment good for encouraging that too, btw).

Well done you @BunniesBunniesBunnies
on your project. I wish I had a job with ‘projects’ instead of daily dullness. Think I’m going to invent me a project to lift the spirits!

@Fortheloveofgodwhy. I have constant moderation murmuring in my head too. Sometimes I cannot shut her up on a Saturday night and really worry I will cave and fail. It’s depressing. Sometimes I look up my AF app to see my sorry past journeys through ‘moderation’. I have this romantic notion I can go back to the kind of person who orders one small wine with dinner, or reluctantly takes 2 peach schnapps & lemonade at Christmas (ok, I’m going wwaayyyy back now 😁) but I know deep down I cannot. Anyway, just wanted to check in and say hello. It’s to everyone, I loved reading all posts but I can’t reply to them all as I really must get out this tub n tidy up! Take care all.

Morning all,

Avoided the booze when upset yesterday.
Best friend ignored me when I said corner shop and we had a 0% gin.
So much easier to get up today😀

Morning savbunny
Well done. Always so much easier when we're feeling good but these moments where we're upset but still get through are the real challenges.

That's a good friend to have around.

Morning all. I really like your name @Breathmiller - am about to get out of bed and do 20 mins meditation before the day starts.

Day 44. @SavBbunny I always thought you were weeks/months ahead of me, you have been such a support on this thread.

Still craving the booze. Am supposed to be going to a big 50th party in central London on Saturday. Tbh I can't really be bothered. Not only do I not really fancy it sober, it will also be first big party since my divorce. I think I'd prefer an evening of roibosch tea and TV

I'm going to join 16:8ers - I've put on over half a stone since quitting, which I'm fine with but I don't want to go up anymore and my clothes are beginning to get tight.

@sunshineforest

53 days. I have iron will! I am also a diary writer so prattle on.
Four years ago I did 8 weeks af to prove a point to my teenagers.

I am beginning to enjoy the look on other people's faces when I say af.
Would you not go to the party looking fabulous?

Damn just lost my post. Anyway happy mornings. Day 24 🙌 feel good today. Eyes opened just a little wider again it feels like.

I dunno @SavBbunny. I had such a difficult time at the wine bar I went to not sure I can face another event. Mind you, it's easier at a party where a tonic water could easily be an alcoholic drink

@sunshineforest

I have been ordering Tanquary af gin. Just as expensive. Tastes fab to me. If it is London they will have all the fancy non alcohol options.

urgh another post just disappeared on me.. @sunshineforest don't go if you don't feel up to it. I am sure you can offer to take the birthday person out for lunch or afternoon tea another time to make up for it if they are a close friend. If not they probably won't even notice you are not there as they will be so busy! Put yourself first x

Yes sunshine , don't go if you you either really don't want to or feel it would be too much of a temptation.

I'm all about being able to stay AF in all parts of daily life but I don't think it helps in any way to make it harder on yourself. If an event just feels like it would be too challenging for whatever reason and at whatever stage you're at then let it go. There will be other times when maybe your resolve feels more up to yhe challenge.

Does anyone read AF as As Fuck? Or is it my teenage brain just wanting to swear? 😅

Maybe we are AFAF!

Alcohol Free As Fuck!!

I really like your name @Breathmiller**
Why, thankyou sunshine

It would feel too outing to say why it's Breathmiller exactly but it's because I am a Miller of Breaths.

A few people said they thought it was because I was a Queen fan which I was very confused about. Apparently it reminded people of Bismillah!! 🤣🤣

Now there's a wee earworm for you all for the afternoon.