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

@JesusSufferingFuck22 3 months is great! Hope you're doing ok and the creeping thoughts buzz off and leave you in peace.
Certainly nicer weather today - is it bad to say I want it to rain?!!

@Crayonpenny I had some homemade chicken soup. I feel a bit better now. I the heat is so disruptive to my routine. I eat soup almost daily. Last few days I couldn’t even have a 2nd cuppa, it was too hot for me! It threw me all out of wack lol. Doesn’t take much really.

A good thunderstorm would be very welcome 🙏

Well done @JesusSufferingFuck22 on your 3 months. That’s a big milestone!

@JesusSufferingFuck22 congrats. I think the first three months are the hardest.
I have been poorly, heat stroke, tom dick the lot.
I hope everyone is managing.

Hey @SavBbunny hope you're not feeling too bad, heat stroke is awful. This weather can truly sort itself out now - I've got the lights on, albeit reluctantly. Not doing too much for any diet when I just want to snuggle up and eat Ben and Jerry's ice cream now!

Thanks @BunniesBunniesBunnies It really is. I had it marked as some mythical time period, then my dh and my calendar pointed out that the longest time I’d stopped before was 2 months. I’m not so scared about caving now because I’m a month beyond the “scary” time period.

thanks@SavBbunny
yuck, yuck and yuck. Hope you feel better soon.
I don’t do well in the heat at all, so can empathise.

One of the perks of being disabled and not having to work is I can stay at home, keep the curtains closed, drink iced water and not have to go out anywhere! I enjoyed it so much I might keep doing it regardless of the weather😂

It rained! Hooray! Must say it certainly feels a little less oppressive now weather wise. Not sure how we're on Thursday as well.

Day 16 so small steps comparatively but on the right path. Completely keep forgetting I've got an all inclusive holiday on the horizon - it's one of these holiday resorts more for kids with activities etc, but already trying to plan ahead for the evenings etc. No idea if our Gordon's 0% is a thing in Cyprus.

@Crayonpenny Congratulations on the rain and day 16😁
A holiday to look forward to is good. The kids will have a blast and you’ll be present and sober. It’ll be lovely, with its challenges but lovely just the same xx

Best thing about holidays is the breakfasts in my book.

No rain here yet…..in Scotland and no rain wtf😂
It’s slightly overcast and still feels a bit muggy though thermometer says 18c.

I'm still knocking back iced sparkling water with a splash of rose water. I’m really enjoying it and it doesn’t bring me out in a rash😊
I overdid it on the iced rose water the other night and had to get up to pee in the middle of the night. Realised that I haven’t had to do that for several weeks/couple of months maybe? Another positive of being af. No wonder I’m physically feeling like I have more energy. I must be getting a solid 6-7 hours sleep instead of passing out, sleeping badly and getting up to pee once or twice a night!

I can’t believe I’ve broken my af record by a month, because my brain is mushy and I misremembered. I’d like to blame my MS for this brain fog but tbh my brain’s always been like this😂 It makes my feel like I’ve accomplished something bigger than I have.

Hope all your Thursdays are uncomplicated and unburdened xx

Funny you mention holidays guys as we are off for 10 days tomorrow and I was just going to post about how nervous I'm feeling.

I know I won't drink but I'm worried I'll want to, if that makes sense?

We rent a cottage so go back to the same place a few times a year. I've never been there AF. In fact I've always used it as an excuse to drink everyday.

I am feeling excited and positive but also a little apprehensive.

@Crunchymum it’s normal to feel that way. I certainly felt that way about my first few holidays - one was even in a famous wine region! But I honestly had the best time eating grapes and ice creams and being fully present. You have done an amazing job, honestly your posts and dedication is inspiring. People come and go on this thread but you showed up and stuck it out. You are stronger than you think! I’m convinced you’ll be posting after your holidays saying how much you loved it🙂 Hope you have the best time!

@Crunchymum I think one of my first posts on here was when I was on day 14 and away for a week in the countryside. I was really struggling but someone told me firmly that it was a false narrative that I needed to drink to enjoy my holiday! I got through that, and have done another week in the country since, which was much easier.

I have my own holiday challenge next week- off on a hot holiday which usually has its own specific alcohol routine. I’m also a bit worried about doing it AF, but am trying to be curious about it - I wonder how it will feel to be really fresh each morning? I’m also packing my running shoes- a beach sunrise run sounds good. Plus I’m going no limit on baklava….

Dear all, I am struggling.
I have had a bad few days with the new job turning out to be just as awful as the last.
I just spoke to my recruiter and she suggested it was me!
I haven't gone out and bought my lunch because I know i would buy wine. I don't know if I am being unreasonable or if its the call of the drink making me like this. I would love to retire but can't. Long story so I won't bore you. I feel crap.

@JesusSufferingFuck22 I certainly am not missing that overnight, restless sleep, toilet trip, restless sleep etc repeat repeat! I was on a meeting earlier - a regular monthly one - and I can remember attending a previous one after such a night where I just wanted to slip off my chair as I certainly did not feel top of my game. Makes me cringe a bit thinking back. You also had me at the words breakfast on holiday!

@Crunchymum I hope you have a really great holiday. I am similar in that where we are going on holiday is where we went last year and also pre-COVID vs somewhere new so I totally get what you mean - there's kind of an association element for me. I am sure that we will bash away any niggles and make new memories! 😊

@BunniesBunniesBunnies That holiday re grapes and ice cream sounds super. I wonder if I can work it so that I can be on a lounger with a book and get one of my small people to feed me grapes periodically.

@Onewildandpreciouslife Your up coming holiday relates to mine, it's going to be warm in the Mediterranean! Interested to hear how you find the early morning runs as I wouldn't mind doing that to also compensate for food. I am already recalling the Gyros at lunch....

Hi @SavBbunny Sorry, I was finishing my other post and have just seen yours.
That's not helpful from the recruiter - it sounds like it's an easy cop out for her to suggest it's you.
It certainly doesn't sound like you are being unreasonable, I think when it's personal it can really knock you and it's a horrible feeling.

@Crayonpenny
Thank you.
I feel such a whingebag. I know I should be grateful but I feel I am being used. My contract is crap. Over 50s get a really poor deal in the workplace.
I use to have a large one and feel better.
And look where that got me

@SavBbunny you're not a whingebag at all, the workplace can be toxic. I can remember being a super keen 20 year old battling a boys club and it was awful trying to keep your head above water!
What's your boss like etc at the new role?

@Crayonpenny
My boss is ok but they have a management consultant who is had their nose put out by my appointment. This person seems to be hell bent on overriding my decisions and managing my staff (her old job). I suspect she has been on a costly time limited contract and resents me. From the frying pan into the fire!
I really could lose myself again I'm so upset.

@BunniesBunniesBunnies thank you for your lovely comments, they bought a tear to my eye. I appreciate the support, I truly do.

Thank you everyone else as well. Most of the time I don't think about drinking (or not drinking as my life is these days) but when it rears its head... the beast is scary.

@SavBbunny hoping the weekend brings you some sober respite from work. Life it's hard enough without our worklife being difficult.

@SavBbunny That's awful. I used to work for someone like that - ironically I found some emails from that time recently and I was like seriously what on Earth! I know it may sound odd but it sounds like a compliment that you clearly know your stuff and she is obviously jealous. The recruiter clearly doesn't know what she's talking about either. Are you able to finish a bit early and try and get a bit of a break at all?

Sympathy for my top sober witches struggling with work.

Guess what, I quit my job today! I am delighted. I don't need a daily reminder of how much of a c**t drinking can make you.

Although in all my active years I'm pretty sure I never:

• went for a wee while on a Skype call with 8 people (camera on)
• did multiple Zoom meetings while drunk
• sent sweaty abusive WhatsApps to staff at night
• constructed my own imagined version of reality and then got furious when other people's version didn't match
• made MILLIONS of sexist remarks on work calls

And finally....

• instructed my company's marketing manager (Your ol' pal Hanging) to assist the woman I pay to have sex with with launching a business

....so perhaps my boss was just an ass before he was a drunk

Good for you @HangingOver !! Blimey, that's a bit of a list of 'events' isn't it. I'm always paranoid of even dashing to the loo during a group video call - in case I hear a 'crayonpenny, what are your thoughts on this', I wouldn't dare take my kit to accompany me.

Hope your ok @SavBbunny

Morning all. I survived! No crying drunk. 8 hours sleep. Hoorah.
@HangingOver
Wow and I thought only I worked with shits. Good on you for quitting. I applied for two jobs yesterday. Back up. It felt empowering.

I have been on a weight loss surgery thread as long as I have been on this one, just over 6 months. Worryingly it turns out there is a well established risk of transfer addiction from food to alcohol after surgery. I don't want to be a thin drunk or a fat one! It has made me a bit scared.

Hoorah @SavBbunny !

👍 @SavBbunny !!

Good job! Enduring tension and stress without using and then looking back and going....oh wow... I managed that on my own.... Is SUCH and empowering feeling!