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

[ChampooPapi]

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

Hello all, popping back in. Not sure where the last week has gone! Sorry to see people having hard times. This whole process reminds me so much of giving up smoking, the cravings are less frequent but feel more intense at the moment. Day 87 I think is where I am. A couple of weeks to my first sober holiday, which partly was the driving force to quitting. I wanted to come back from a holiday rested! So I guess I’ll find out if it really will work that way soon.

keep on keeping on sober friends

oh and I visited a friend who moved home recently. I was totally unprepared with a goat but grabbed a bottle from the cellar and gave her a good one 🤣 where as previously I would have begrudged having to hand over a decent bottle 😳

Thanks @Drybird2020

starting Day 4 and still feel sick as a dog.

wishing you all strength

@Fortheloveofgodwhy

congratulations on Day 87

Hang on in there @Nouveaunew . The first week is tough - look after yourself

Hey guys, Sending strength to everyone who needs it. You are all so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Slip ups and mistakes can be part of the process. We can learn from it, dust ourselves off and keep going. When things are tough don’t look too far ahead. Take it one day at a time, or one hour at a time if a day is too long.

Time is the biggest factor. The longer you are sober the easier it gets. Not saying I don’t have hard days two years in (I do! Life is bloody hard sometimes!) but the urge to drink when things are tough is so so so faint now. Like @Drybird2020 said there is really nothing special about me. I just kept going one day at a time and I’m so glad I did.

So I beckon you all over to my lovely green field! There are flowers, (dry)birds and fuck loads of bunnies🤩 🐰🐰🐰

Be kind to yourself everyone, you deserve it.

@Nouveaunew it’s normal to feel like a pile of shit at this stage. Hopefully it’s the last time you’ll have to go through this! Upwards and onwards, slowly, you can do it!

@Nouveaunew just keep putting one foot in front of the next. We have all been there, everything that you did and happened to you has happened and is still happening to countless people every day. It's totally normal to feel low, just keep pushing for a sober day, one day at a time and it gets better. I'm nearly two weeks post binge and I'm finally feeling back to normal. If I'd chosen to drink in those two weeks I would not. I would feel like shit.

Checking in day 12 🙌

Also sorry I haven't got back to people on here, I have had a frenzied last week before I start my next nursing placement. Trying to get my twins into nursery as well, they are 18 months now and we are VERY ready for the girls to go somewhere else for a few days a week. Literally anywhere else! A ball pool in a cage would do at this point 😂

Blimey @ChampooPapi you have your hands full. Nursing and twins

Glad you are refinding your sober footing.

I'm at that stage now when my brain is telling me I'll be alright to have a few periods "off the wagon" (I have a birthday next month and then a holiday in July) as I have done so well and can easily go back to being AF.

I know it doesn't work like that. I know since being AF a lot of my anxiety and stress and worry has dissipated / become more manageable. I know that I gain nothing from drinking. I know that deep in my "soul" I'm in a much better place now. But the voice is there, chipping away at me.

How do I get that devil on my shoulder to shut the fuck up???

Hello. Popping in to send strength and positive vibes to all.

8 Months for me today since I decided to sort my life out. I feel so much better able to manage stuff now it's amazing. Not easy but definitely the best decision I have made in a long time.

One of the main things I have learned is to be self compassionate and my own best friend, still a work in progress but getting there

Thanks @BunniesBunniesBunnies Yeah you’ve nailed it. It’s Day 4 & I feel like I haven’t been drinking for a month…yet still feel sick to the stomach. I like the sound of your field 😝See you there!

Thank you @ChampooPapi Yeah I was starting to think I should just drink but it’s a spiral. I’m finally escaping it and I want to stay on track. Well done on two weeks post binge

@Crunchymum
i don’t know how you get the devil to shut up. I listened to a lot of Annie Grace’s podcast and she seems to bring many things back to curiosity. Get curious about why and ride the wave … not easy but it sounds like you’re doing great

@Kindtomyself
wow 8 months AF! Good for you 😎

Evening all.
Just haf a couple of big faux gins.
Haven't felt like a glass to be honest. The devil was told to fuck off a few weeks ago after convincing me moderation was the thing. Ended up with gut rot and felt totally crap.
I watched loose women today with the Liberty Ex lady. Poor soul. Full clinic and twelve steps. I take my hat off to her for talking about it. Our journey is hard, hers so much worse for being in the public eye. Personally I don't talk about af anymore. I take my Gordon's 0% and that's it. I can drink a bucket of that stuff.
My niece told me today my weight loss looked ace and my skin flawless . (I last saw her at Christmas).My af journey started January 8th.
Chin up ladies.

Good for you @SavBbunny I’m so done with booze but there’s always that fear!

amazing you’ve lost weight & skin has improved

Hi all, may I join? I'm on day 3 so far. I've given up and started more times than I can remember and the longest stint was nearly 1 year but of course it always leads to back to square one so I really cannot drink anymore. My DH is a 3 day weekend drinker and that's what I did too but it slowly used to be 4 and then 5,6 7 day drinking. Sometimes hiding it sometimes not. I've been to AA, counselling in the past. I haven't told my DH yet because the last time (2 weeks ago) I said I don't want to drink for 30 days to start with he said good luck sarcastically. Arse. We are/ were wine drinkers . It would help if he would give up but he won't. I got to do this. Thanks for letting me join.

@Namechanged12344 welcome - a great bunch of people here you chose well!
your words will resonate with many I’m sure
day 3 is nearly half a week so well done you.

Day 159 & my first AF wedding! It was long!! We had to leave the house at 9.30. The ceremony was at 11 and most of the day was spent hanging around. It was someone DH used to work with so we didn't know many people. I sneaked in AF gin in a hip flask which was hilarious really. Had a nice time and home by 10. So glad I'll be hangover free tomorrow.

@ChampooPapi love to see you checking in!
well done and all the best for next weeks placement it will be a stretch but I’m sure you are up to it.
im busy researching cages for your little ones but you may be best to stick with more formal childcare arrangements……. 😂

@Newmum738 😂 that made me chuckle - your hip flask that is!

@Kindtomyself congratulations! Big milestone indeed
self compassion is something to strive for so thanks for the reminder

@AlloftheTime very kind thank you for your words!

Haven't been sleeping that well to be honest but I'm sure that will improve! I was looking back on pictures of when I first gave up and although I was younger my skin looked so good and my weight etc

It's Friday 😀 I really hope I can not look when my DH opens wine tonight. He tends to get one out in the morning from the fridge so it's the right temperature for when he starts drinking after work.....I might just go into a different room when he starts then actually or have a shower etc he can drink and mind the kids!

I sneaked in AF gin in a hip flask which was hilarious really @Newmum738 That’s so funny!

Morning all
I've not been reading this thread as much recently but intending to do so again.
Hope everyone has a good Friday

I love the sneaking in AF gin - very funny @Newmum738

@Namechanged12344 friday evening was Prosecco time for me always. You are wise to think ahead and recognise how DH’s ritual might trigger you. Love the plan to step away and head for the bathroom!
also think about how much better you will feel on Saturday morning with a clear head.
happy AF weekend all 👍

@Namechanged12344 good luck for tonight, have you read any quit lit. I am a huge advocate for it, it has really helped me to change my perspective on alcohol. I used audiobooks because reading a real book takes too long but audio books i can listen while i clean or cook, drive, walk the dog etc. Can you ask your DH to stop for a bit to help you? My DH drinks still and i get it if you feel you can't. luckily;y mine drinks beer and that's never been my poison. I have a BBQ with friends tomorrow night, it will be my day 90! I shall maeka point of decalring it loudly the first time i am offered a drink 😁