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

[Fortheloveofgodwhy]

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

T@Champoopapihank you to for hosting the last thread 💜

And here’s to the next 40 pages grin

Just catching up. Went out tonight with a friend and didn’t drink ! First time i ever hung out with her sans booze. We definitely had fewer intimate moments but I shouldn’t need alcohol to feel close to people.

Lovely to be on a new thread with you all x

Morning all
Thanks for the new thread @Fortheloveofgodwhy

I had a takeaway curry last night- just a Dahl, had mad crazy dreams and have woken feeling like I have a hangover. My body is a temple . I'm so sensitive to things these days it's weird. In the past I'd have downed a few beers and topped it off with wine!
Still working on the work project so another tough day at the computer.

Well done on the job @SavBbunny. Great celebratory tattoo @HangingOver

Just to continue with my conversation to @JesusSufferingFuck22 from the other thread

Kindtomyself
@JesusSufferingFuck22 this really resonated with me My god all these years of feeling like shit, mentally and physically because of drinking is just mind boggling.
I feel exactly the same
It's quite astounding. I mean I KNEW what I was doing to my body was wrong but now it's like my vision has cleared and I can really SEE what's been going on and see my way out of this!

Exactly! It's really odd isn't it? Just shows how complex our minds are really. The fog has lifted

I totally get that too!

I also see it in people around me. It’s sooo hard not to say ‘stop drinking’… for example every night DH gets into bed moaning about being old (he’s early 40s!) and aching joints. It’s really hard not to say don’t have a beer tomorow night and see how you feel. Instead I keep suggesting he needs to change what he is doing in general terms but if I said directly don’t drink the one or two beers he would laugh me out the room 🙄

I also had my first AF evening out yesterday (I've been to family dinners etc but I've not been out properly).

A friend and I went to an exhibition. This friend isn't a massive drinker so she was AF in support. We had soft drinks at an open air bar along the Thames in the evening sunshine and then a Af alternative in the gallery (which was sadly vile). But I didn't waiver and I didn't falter.

It's taken almost 100 days but my mindset has slowly shifted from 'I can't do this forever' to 'I don't think I'm ever going to drink again'

Here is our view from the bar, which was just as beautiful without the wine.

Morning all.
One faux gin last night and no need to get up.
Well done @Crunchymum summer nights out are tricky.
I am off to work for the French and my new boss doesn't drink. The last one total boozer. Should be easier to keep my professional persona.

@HangingOver That's such a great idea! Love it

Good morning all. Happy Sunday.
Family get together today. Both me and dh up at 8.15am which is unheard of for a weekend morning in drinking days. We can take our time getting ready for visitors instead of rushing about hungover and being grumpy with each other.

Dh met friends last night. He had a half pint and a couple of alcohol free beers.
He said he regrets having the half pint but also thinks the af beers made him feel a bit ill.....and just made him pee constantly! He had a good night though. Amazingly I think we may be on the same page at the same time with the stopping drinking. Such a relief.

@Kindtomyself yes, that's the right words. The fog has been lifted. I'll need to keep very aware of it creeping back in again.

Lovely pic crunchymum well done all of these experiences make you feel stronger. I love London.

The description of the fog being lifted is so accurate. I keep wondering what is different this time and I have no idea but I really don't want to drink anymore. I do look at others and think if only you knew. Everyone is doing so well. Have a great sober day.

The fog being lifted...I haven't got it yet I don't think maybe it takes time as I'm early days still. I am ok not drinking wine and yesterday DH said before he went out oh he must finish the bottle that was open last week, he poured it and then threw it away saying it had gone off. He said if I had been drinking it wouldn't have gone off as I would have finished the bottle (along with one finished bottle for him) so now he's got surplus stock. I was annoyed as my older child didn't sleep until 1130 and then DH home at midnight so my sleep was messed up and I need my downtime too.
@Crunchymum that view is stunning I love London too @Rupertpenrysmistress everytime I've been I've been drinking with or without kids...I'd love to try it without soon! Such a beautiful day but got my AF beers in the fridge if need be. I bought a massive sun hat to cover my face from the sun I'm well hidden picking up my kid from an activity, if only they knew the daily battle I have with myself . I am too hard on myself I think and if I speak about drink in RL everyone like don't worry why can't you have just 1 etc etc because I can't have just bloody one !!
Enjoy people x

Hello all, can I join you? Day one for me, again. I've just spent a month drinking too much again after a three month sober stint and I am working on accepting that I need to stop completely!

Welcome @NitTodaySatan , I am day 17 but have tried before and been on an older version of this thread. Three months was really good and will have given your liver a break, good luck for this time. I did read somewhere that people who successfully give up alcohol / cigarettes have almost always tried and failed multiple times before cracking it. Let’s hope this is our time.

Checking into the new thread 😊

Congratulations on the new job, @SavBbunny I remember the shit time you had with work - here's to a new era!

Congratulations on 2 years, @HangingOver!

@Fortheloveofgodwhy thank you for starting the new shiny thread 💜 much appreciated to find in my sleep deprived state.

Done the third night in a row now and had some freaky day sleep. Needless to say I am very much looking forward to day shifts again.

Checking in 🙌

Thanks for the new thread @Fortheloveofgodwhy

crazy congratulations and back slaps for TWO YEARS @HangingOver no more hanging over for!

Day 21 today - 3 weeks - delighted

No more hanging over for YOU I meant @HangingOver

Well done on 3 weeks @Nouveaunew that'll be me tomorrow !!! Out for lunch in the sun today, DH had beers I had AF beer everything was fine. He's now drinking wine next to me but I really don't care about it. Less thinking about drinking is good!
Hello @nit @NitTodaySatan not letting me tag properly it's taken me ages and ages stopping and starting I'm hoping this is it now. Ridiculous really I could have been AF all these years but unfortunately it takes time! We are all doing super well.

Thank you for the welcome @Namechanged12344 and @JennyAct3. I've spent the day on constructive household tasks, already looking forward to waking up feeling better tomorrow...

@Nouveaunew well done on 21 days!

Today is the first day I’ve been really tempted. Cooking Sunday lunch, one of the kids being tricky (very unusual) and then a beautifully shot food programme with lots of glamorous looking alcohol drinking. I am drinking lemonade from a fancy glass and will have an early night.

Checking in and thanks for the new thread 👍

Hello! Thanks for the new thread☺️

@HangingOver huge congrats on your two years, that’s amazing! Bloody love the tattoo too, what an amazing idea and what a powerful reminder to yourself every day of how far you have come!

Can I join please? I'm really struggling. Just did two weeks but stupidly drank this weekend. Awful anxiety at the moment.
I want a life without alcohol

Welcome @Meezer2

thanks @Namechanged12344 you’re less than 2 hours away from 3 weeks yourself!

Good call on the lemonade @JennyAct3 I often feel tempted by pretty looking drinks too.

it’s great to have 3 weeks done. I met a friend this weekend and I’ll admit I found it harder to connect with her sans booze. I’m realising just how much anxiety and depression I’ve been living with as even though I was in the company of a mate, I felt nervous. I haven’t noticed the antidepressants working better yet 3 weeks later but it might take some time.

best of luck this week everyone. I’m going to make a nice AF G&T now. 👌