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Original poster

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

991 replies

ChampooPapi · 23/03/2022 19:06

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 smile

Thank you to @Adm1010 for hosting the last thread 💜

And here’s to the next 40 pages grin

OP posts:
Kindtomyself · 14/04/2022 08:44

@100PerCentMe observing with curiosity is a revelation to me. Report back on your findings

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 14/04/2022 08:45

@100PerCentMe congrats on your milestone!!!

Breathmiller · 14/04/2022 09:56

100percentme 21 months is amazing. Well done.

Yes, I like that thought of observing with curiosity and compassion. It's just a thought. And what's great about thoughts is we don't need to act on them all. We can observe our attachments and aversions to certain thoughts and then make choices. You can do this! We'll be at 2 years by this summer, how bloody cool is that? Look forward to celebrating that with you.

SAB10 · 14/04/2022 10:27

@SavBbunny

Morning all. Having a few days off after last weeks work drama.

@100PerCentMe
I can assure you that if you drink now you will feel very ill. I had a blip and it took me two days to feel better.

Off for another laser session today on my drinkers veins!

@SavBbunny ooh you're getting laser done - how is that going?? I have just a couple on my cheeks and nose but I'd really like to be rid of them! Is it worth the money?
Crunchymum · 14/04/2022 13:16

@100PerCentMe

Congratulations on such an impressive milestone. Days, weeks, months.... however you count it, it's still fabulous.

I come from a family of drinkers, being a non drinker just isn't a thing. Luckily my family aren't arseholes (I still wouldn't go away with them though Shock) but they are at least keeping their judgements to themselves.

Fortheloveofgodwhy · 14/04/2022 13:33

i havent yet told my parents, my sibling know. No need to tell my parents until i have to, for now we haven't been in a position where i have needed to explain it.

Blackberryblossom · 14/04/2022 14:05

How's it going today, @100PerCentMe? I managed to type that as 200percentme which made me smile.
Hope your lasering goes well @SavBbunny. I love that you're doing something purely for you with the money that you're saving.

SavBbunny · 14/04/2022 16:15

@SAB10
Laser today worked (third session). However I do have exceptional skin (40 years in beauty). I have a few spider veins that I thought might disappear if zapped. £65 per treatment so 3ish bottles of wine.

I am trying to overall myself after not really caring anymore and becoming obese and anxious. My last job was in a toxic environment where bullying was rife. My default was to drink to cope. I am feeling much more able to deal with ongoing trouble with a clearer mind.

Fortheloveofgodwhy · 14/04/2022 17:16

@SavBbunny jeez you drank good wine :D

HangingOver · 14/04/2022 17:24

How good is Corona Zero? it's even knocked Becks blue off the top spot in this house
sorry if it's been covered

BeachesandIcecream · 14/04/2022 17:56

Haha my thoughts exactly!

SavBbunny · 14/04/2022 18:35

@Fortheloveofgodwhy

I am including the bottle of champagne!
£10 was my default but I have learnt an af trick. Don't try the AF of your boozing poison. Doesn't work. I love the Gordon's af and I hate gin. Ditto Prosecco. All the Sav Blanc AF are disgusting bar the Asda.
I like dry, flinty, sweaty sock. Most af is too sweet. Failing that I drink milk.

100PerCentMe · 14/04/2022 22:34

Thank you crunchymum
Lol blackberryblossom at 200 percent me!!
I'm doing just fine now- thanks for asking and thanks so much everyone, you've got me through and I'm up and away home tomorrow. Calm and compassionate observation and curiosity got me through- they were all still drinking all day.
I stopped apologising for not drinking too. And I noticed that while they were all drinking the conversation wasn't any more interesting, and people weren't even more illuminating than they are usually- it's just the same.

You know that way where you maybe used to think 'I need to have a drink and then I will be more chatty/interesting/ better company/ the night will be better or more fun'? Nope, they were just the same- but drunk. And more glassy eyed. The conversation wasn't any more riveting than usual. If that makes sense? There seemed no point to drinking? I don't mean any of this in a judgemental way- it was just an observation. There seems to be no point or benefit of drinking.

Thanks all. I'm still reading through the thread even if I don't post much. Smile

Onewildandpreciouslife · 15/04/2022 06:34

@100PerCentMe there’s a great quote in “Alcohol Explained”:

“Alcohol doesn’t make things interesting; it makes your mind stupid so that things that would otherwise have bored it are suddenly enough to occupy it.”

So glad to hear you survived the week - congratulations!

SavBbunny · 15/04/2022 06:36

Morning all, first bank holiday without a hangover!
Never thought that would happen.
Son arriving for Easter tomorrow and usually I would dread moderating my drinking. He is the one with the long memory of my antics.
Off to get chocolate eggs, fruit and Gordon's af later.
Wishing you all peace and happiness this weekend.

100PerCentMe · 15/04/2022 06:43

onewild- yes, that's exactly it!! Will need to read that one.
savbunny this sounds like a lovely Easter ahead with your son Easter Smile

Breathmiller · 15/04/2022 08:23

savbunny a hangover free bank holiday weekend is the best kind of holiday.

We're heading home later tonight. Had such a wonderful few days away, something we never did before and I think that's because I had different priorities i.e drinking. I do feel that there are better things to spend my money on than bottles of wine.
We've been in Liverpool. Never been but it is a great place to visit. And I feel I have enjoyed it MORE because - 1. I can do more because I'm not hangover. 2. I'm present for every moment not wondering when it's wine o'clock. 3. I have more money to spend on activities and food because I'm not adding wine to the bill.

Already looking at where we can go in the summer.

Original poster
ChampooPapi · 15/04/2022 08:33

Checking in 🙌

OP posts:
Breathmiller · 15/04/2022 08:48

100percentme well done at surviving a pretty challenging situation and learning something from it to boot. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, they make sense.

I agree that people don't particularly get more interesting when they've had a drink. I don't mind being around people who are drinking these days to a certain extent, but do get bored when they get too drunk. I'm always glad it's not me that's like that.

Kindtomyself · 15/04/2022 11:25

Morning all

Glad you had a good time in Liverpool @Breathmiller

Off for a walk today and catching up with friends

SmellyWellyWoo · 15/04/2022 19:24

I don't drink during the week anyway so my trust real test was today on day 6 as we went out for a meal. Just had soft drinks which I am pleased about. I know I will sleep so much better tonight and feel better tomorrow.

HangingOver · 15/04/2022 20:18

Checking in. Day with in laws watching people drink effortlessly in moderation like David Attenborough studying an unknown foreign species.

Crunchymum · 15/04/2022 20:48

Had a lovely day with my relatives. Watched 2 of them polish off two bottles of wine throughout the day.

I never daytime drink but I would have been itching to leave by 6ish so I could get home and pour a glass at home (the first of several). Was nice not to have that anxiety.

Have a massive family gathering tomorrow. Its daytime so again I wouldn't be drinking but I'd have my wine waiting for when I got home. Shock

AlloftheTime · 16/04/2022 06:47

Checking in 👍
@Kindtomyself enjoy the company and have a good weekend
@SavBbunny have a great time and glad you are looking forward to seeing your son - peace and happiness is the perfect sentiment!
@HangingOver that made me lol - we are all going to end up being people watchers …..
Spent several days with family and wasn’t tempted by the vino. Feeling strong - keep going is my message to myself

Piglet89 · 16/04/2022 07:17

Hello, all I am away from home visiting family. Was wine on the go last night (although my parents aren’t big drinkers); is stupendous not to wake up with a hangover.

Off to the seaside today.

Hope everyone else is well.