Giving up alcohol is one of the best things I’ve ever done!

[AsLongAsIHaveMyTea]

For those of you who are those “middle Lane” drinkers, who keep evaluating their alcohol consumption and keep thinking about living alcohol free but are worried for whatever reasons I just want to say that I’ve reached 12 weeks totally alcohol free and I can honestly say that even in this short time it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself and my family.
I was drinking too much FOR ME. I was having a glass of two of wine in the evenings and more at the weekends, nights out etc. I wasn’t addicted and I wasn’t drinking in the mornings but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a problem for me. I’d tried to give up a few times over the years but there was always a birthday, a party, a Friday night etc but for some reason this time was different.
I have now had alcohol free birthdays, Christmas, New Years, a couple of mini breaks and dinners out with friends and apart from a few so called friends calling me boring (obviously not friends then!) everything has been amazing, I get home at a sensible time and am up nice and early the next day.
The health and wellbeing improvements I’ve noticed are:
Better sleep
Better hair
Better skin
Lost weight (slowly)
Consistently been able to exercise and have achieved fitness goals
Less arguments with my husband
Better relationship with my husband
Improved concentration
More motivation
Much more interest in having “fun” outside of drinking ie going bowling, to the cinema etc
Giving up the booze doesn’t have to be a big deal, it can be a lifestyle choice that slowly makes your life so much better!!
Here’s to the next 12 weeks!

[Itsnotover]

I did dry January and since then bought one bottle of my favourite wine. But I don't like the taste of it any more. I can't decide if this is good or bad 😬 good I suppose. I have saved so much money and feel much healthier. Weird that I don't like the taste of the wine though. I used to love it. It was the taste of wine I would drink for - not the effects of the alcohol.

[Blueraccoon]

Thanks for sharing that AsLongAs. It’s stories like yours that I need to spur me on. Unfortunately I’m back at Day 3 as I keep falling off the wagon before I get any real stretch AF. I guess the problem is the little voices in my head start up long before I see the long term benefits. You know the ones - I’ve had a bad day, I’ve had a good day, I deserve it, one little drink won’t hurt…..and so on. Each time I stop drinking again I think this time I’ll stick with it. I do want to stop. Hopefully this time 🤞

[BunniesBunniesBunnies]

Ps as long if you fancy hanging out with likeminded people you are welcome here😊

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/4461184-The-freedom-thread-continued-Riding-the-rollercoaster-of-an-alcohol-free-life?msgid=114837380#114837380

[BunniesBunniesBunnies]

This times a million! Well done OP couldn’t agree more! Almost 2 years AF and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I’m at a bit of a crossroads with this.

5 weeks totally dry now; a few health problems with DH mean we need to really cut back (we drink wine at home which is our guilty pleasure, going out and drinking we don’t do so much of). These 5 weeks have been easy but the thought of not having a drink again…hmm…I dunno….

I would probably be better off stopping totally as easier in many ways than moderating.