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

@JennyAct3 congrats on 14 days. Have you noticed any good changes yet?

I’m just trying to catch up on the thread. im on Day 18 and was struck by a thought earlier and thought it might help ye too: I like myself just a little bit more when I’m not drinking. I’m still very much struggling in that department but my self criticism just seems to be a little reduced.

@SAB10

oh gosh I’m so sorry to hear about your situation. Sending you a huge virtual hug. Keep going - one foot in front of the other. 💐

@Nouveaunew thats a fab post! Keep on with the self care and liking yourself

Morning all.
Bloody phone not sending updates so sorry @SAB10 I didn't send support.
A litre of spirits can stop the heart so your husband is either a full blown alcoholic or bloody lucky IMO. Co dependant partners are a frequent story. It won't help you. Take advice. There is a shit hot divorce solicitor in Cheltenham (Barbara).
My husband doesn't drink really (old joke but he has rum older than our youngest and she is 18). I don't think i would have been so long af if he was a boozer.

And i have a confession to make. I had really become pissed off with my husband of 33 years last year.
No reason except he was arguing about my drinking (what a killjoy and boring shit I thought he was). The truth is I was frequently pissed, falling into bed stinking like a brewery and a self important arse.
Not pleasant in a 56 old board director.
How are we now? Much better.
We have talked so much and I frequently get non alcoholic gifts to keep my resolve.

Today is 'Ah Feck Friday' so keep going my friends.

Finally got to day 7! The last few days have been hard, but so glad to have made it a week! Just wondered how long it was until people were sleeping better at night? Hope you are all well

Morning all
Stopping drinking has been amazing for me in terms of recognising my inner strength and worth. I was horrible to me before and I'm now my own best friend.

Have a great day all. Sending 'you got this' vibes to all on the thread. We all deserve the best life

@changingforthebetter3
I can't remember when sleep improved but it just did. It will happen soon, your body is just adjusting.
I went for reflexology the other day and had the most amazing sleep

Lovely to hear all the positives coming from people about being AF. It really is worth pushing through those early days (and I had quite a few day 1s!)

For me (2 months today!) my positive is how much my anxiety has reduced. I see my oncologist today to find out if anything showed up on my scans, and usually the days before that would be incredibly anxious. Yesterday it was an occasional blip of anxiety but mostly fine. I’ve been living with anxiety for years, and yesterday found myself thinking “is this what normal people feel like?”

Old habits die hard, and I do slightly worry that I am tempting fate! But worrying about it won’t have changed the scans.

Have a good Friday everyone x

Good luck today @Onewildandpreciouslife

@Nouveaunew on the lines of liking yourself more I also give give myself. I still remember drink related and non drink related gaffes or shame inducing moments but I am better able to categorise them, forgive myself and move my thought processes on. Rather than having it spiral in my head until I drank it away.

@changingforthebetter3 my sleep gradually improved. I still don’t sleep any longer or even wake up during the night that much less. But I wake up refreshed in the morning. That’s been the real change for me.

*forgive… myself

@Onewildandpreciouslife 2 months is great wrll done. Let us know how you get on today.

Day 15. @Fortheloveofgodwhy thanks, positive changes are feeling mentally lighter, less anxious, happy to think my liver is recovering (hopefully), and calmer generally. Physically I have gained 4 lbs from eating chocolate after dinner. I am about to tackle my weight issues next. Thank you @Breathmiller , so glad I am doing this after several attempts. @Onewildandpreciouslife good luck with scans today.

Day 22 and my fourth Friday.

Mirroring what others are saying about feeling better about myself and much less anxious. I still get anxious but I don't feel like I get a long way down a rabbit hole of catastrophising and "what ifs?" My god all these years of feeling like shit, mentally and physically because of drinking is just mind boggling.

My dh is still not drinking(thankfully.) He says he's been doing stupid things all week and it must be his brain missing alcohol

Family get together this weekend. My mum always insists on bringing something with her. I asked her not to bring vodka as I'm having a break. She's bringing me chamomile tea BUT is insisting on bringing dh a bottle of wine even though I said he wasn't drinking by default and laughed and said because I've not being buying any booze with my shopping so he's just been doing without.

I'm ok with him having a drink of wine because I can't drink it but I really hope no one else brings vodka. It'll be difficult to pour it down the sink rather than my neck

I'm filling up all available window ledges with trays and pots of salad leaves, leafy greens and herbs. It's getting a bit out of control but it's helping me cope. I love growing stuff and it stops me looking for something to do/eat.

Hope all of your weekends go smoothly and have moments of serenity xxx

@JesusSufferingFuck22 have this vision of you in a herby salad jungle….
well done on 22 days and facing up to a Friday AF
have a good weekend

I think the herby salad jungle sounds fabulous. Well done on your 22 days @JesusSufferingFuck22

If anyone does bring your trigger drink, can you get rid of it discreetly? IE pour it away or will it be expected to be opened there and then?

Thank you. @Crunchymum @AlloftheTime
Herby salad jungle sounds like my life goal
Fortunately there is no expectation for me to have a drink. I just need my willpower when they leave. I think my plan will be the second that they've gone is to pour it away. If they haven't brought vodka I plan on telling them I've stopped drinking if it comes up in conversation. I want to avoid any/too much awkwardness.

All clear- yay! Told my consultant I’d given up alcohol and we had a slightly bizarre conversation where he told me how he’d noticed how much drinking affected his sleep patterns!

@Onewildandpreciouslife hurrah, great news.

@Onewildandpreciouslife yay indeed!
well done you it must have been stressy today for you.
enjoy your weekend

@Onewildandpreciouslife great news xx

onewildandpreciouslife that's* *fantastic news!

Excellent news @Onewildandpreciouslife and fabulous username (I think it really sums things up? It really is all we get isn't it and it is wild and precious..... even without the booze!)

Great news @Onewildandpreciouslife !!

Thanks everyone. You’ll be pleased to know that the thought “ooh! I should celebrate with a glass of wine!” got wrestled to the ground fairly quickly.

Thanks @Crunchymum - it’s a quote from a poem Summer’s Day by Mary Oliver:

“I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”