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

@Nouveaunew thanks. I've been marking completed weeks on the calendar. This thread encourages me.

@JennyAct3 Ooohh I love a good sort.....especially when I'm hormonal (like now.)

@ChampooPapi hello

@Namechanged12344
I think I posted one of those Debbie Downer ones yesterday.....oops. It is what it is. You should maybe post it anyway I think....or write it down somewhere to get it out your head. Well done on day 23. We all seem to be racking up the days.

@JesusSufferingFuck22 no no I don't think you did? I must read back sorry no I just feel when I post I am feeling a bit down and don't want to be like that! But this thread is helping me so much, thanks! Well done too for the days we are doing excellent you are right 💖

@Namechanged12344
Feel free to post here when you’re down. Bottling it up or feeling ashamed is worse. I did just that most of my life (IRL!) & I think that’s why I have ended up ‘using’ alcohol & food. Let it all fall out and we’ll all catch it! X

@Namechanged12344 you’re fine, we are all struggling. I am finding this thread helpful so thanks all, veterans and newbies.

This made smile - think I’m going to use it as VANs veterans and newbies!
have a good day all will try to post again later as hoping to hear if I exchange contracts today 🤔

Day five here, I'm still feeling very tired but no real desire to drink so far which is a relief. I wish I had a bit more energy though! Hope everyone has a good day.

Checking in day 21.

Evening all.
Poorly. Bitten by a spider.

Gordons 0% is my go to. I really enjoy it. I never liked real gin. I buy myself unwaxed lemons from Marks. The taste better.
@AlloftheTime hope the house went through.
I am not really an anxious person but wear my heart on my sleeve. I have let people bully me but since my af journey I have put a stop to that. Feels very empowering.

@SavBbunny glad you are feeling empowered these days. I think hearts should be worn, used and treasured. Hope you bit the spider back 🕷
thanks for asking - yes I get my keys tomorrow so another step forward in my refreshed and renewed life. Strange that last year this would be an occasion for fizz but as I have so much to do I’m pleased that AF is now the norm.
so much I have meant to comment on and reply to this week but I’m afraid they ended up as good intentions only.
Take care all

Checking in everybody. 6 months alcohol free! Whoop whoop! Still hard but a bit less hard everyday xx

@Newmum738 that's a fab achievement- well done you!
I imagine the tough days will continue to lessen over time but we all walk our own journey on this. Or swim or run according to many here!
hold on to your big and shiny six month trophy you deserve a pat on the back

@Nouveaunew tried the Gordon’s AF and delighted, it’s not bad, a lot better than stuff I’ve tried before. DH liked it too. Thanks!

@Newmum738
wow 6 months is a long time! Looks like you’re passed the hardest part (according the quit-lit anyhow!) Congratulations 👏

@JennyAct3
ah that’s great. I’m glad you like it! It really makes me feel like I’m having a proper drink. Sweet drinks like fake Prosecco and soft drinks don’t really do it for me.

did Day 25 & still eating a lot of sugar & carbs. I’m looking forward to reaching a month AF. I saw two women share a bottle of white earlier & it all looked so perfect, I had to stop myself from romanticising the whole scene!

@Nouveaunew ah! The shared bottle - so full of reminiscences for many of us. You are heading towards a full month and probably have done the most difficult days for you now. Only you know how much better you feel and how much money you’ve saved etc. some days it’s just harder.

keep looking forward and after the weekend the full month will be staring you in the face.

checking in and wishing well to all the VANs here!

@Newmum738 congrats, that's a biggie.
@Nouveaunew I would be looking at the bottle and thinking another! I wouldn't have been able to share.

Still poorly.

Wow congrats at @Newmum738 that's an amazing achievement well done anything to celebrate 6 months ? I am impatient on day 24 (had to start writing the days down as I was forgetting ) and want it to be like 1 year now!
I'm nearly done on the sober diaries now I get the bunny thing (have to go back and re read it tho) and pink clouds etc. I hope people don't judge me but I bought cigerettees had one and immediately regretted it, I had one and I have a headache and now I feel bad the assault I did to my 18 month clean lungs. Also BLOODY EXPENSIVE WHAAAA. So yeah not doing that again not sure what to do with rest of pack might give it to my builder. Lol. Along with the 1000s it's costing to rebuild our house argh. Anyway I'm good thank you for listening.
@Nouveaunew that shared bottle ahhh it would be a bottle each and then some more and who knows if those ladies did that after!
@SavBbunny sorry to hear about the damn spider are you getting fever etc ? Have you spoken to GP or anyone?

I'm struggling with cigarettes too @Namechanged12344 - I quit last year and have gone back to them recently. My latest packet is nearly finished so it's time for another attempt at quitting.

Day six here, I excelled myself by going to bed at 8pm yesterday. Hoping that once the first week is done I might revive a bit.

Hi @NitTodaySatan well bloody done for 6 days !!! Think it's a week tomorrow ! Tbh I found cigarettes such a hard habit to break literally for years and years, the first time I quit drinking I still smoked because I couldn't do 2 at once, if you can then brilliant but be kind to yourself too because it takes time all of this!!! I didn't sleep well I'm sure it was the nicotine after not drinking all this time but also my husband came home at 2am drunk grrrr and made a lot of noise but it's supposed to be a lovely day today sunny and its first day of half term for my kids so I'm going to see if I can drag them out ! Enjoy enjoy

Day 22. @NitTodaySatan on day 6. Before giving up I liked to stay up till 10 or 11, now I am in bed with kindle by 9. I think we need lots of rest.

Tossed and turned all night, nothing to do with AF, have two tradesmen coming this morning and (I know it’s feeble) I dread having them in so much I can’t sleep.

Keep going everyone, don’t let the weekend derail you.

@NitTodaySatan I meant to say well done!

@Newmum738 6 months! That's awesome
@SavBbunny hope the spider bite effects wear off quickly.
@NitTodaySatan well done on day 6. Be gentle on yourself. Quitting anything is hard. But booze and cigs are the hardest I think. I was down to one roll up a day. Been like that for years. Occasionally I have 2. The last month since I stopped drinking I have had 2 a day consistently.

@JennyAct3 my dh is still not drinking so our bed time has gotten much more respectable. Only problem is he's waking up really early and can't get back to sleep! We sleep in separate rooms (saved our marriage I think.) I got up for a pee at 7.15am and was really surprised to see him in the living room watching the telly. I'm even more surprised that I didn't hear him getting up, showering and battering about in the kitchen!

I can related to not being able to sleep when there are tradesmen coming the next day. I find it stressful having other people in my space.
Not letting the weekend derail me. Friday is the most challenging one.

Today is day 30.

Give or take a few quid I've not spend £135 on vodka (for two.)
I've bought seed trays/propagators, compost, plant pots and a lovely cozy jumper from Vinted (it's not that warm where I live just now.) I've bought other wee miscellaneous edible treats. I've not had to go overdrawn to do any of this. If I had been drinking I wouldn't have been able to buy this stuff.

Congratulations on 6 months. What a phenomenal achievement. A huge well done to you.

It's hard to think in the early days that you'll eventually start counting in months but it does happen.

Thanks all. I'm so annoyed with myself about the fags - quitting was brutal the first time round so putting myself through it again seems very stupid. I'm off to the shops for some NRT though. I've no real plans for the rest of the weekend so I'll be gentle on myself and just get through it with lots of tv and nice food.

@Namechanged12344
I have got a fever. Triage gave me antibiotics yesterday. Fainted this morning. Last time I did that 1993.
In bed since Wednesday night.

Aww no @SavBbunny
Are you in Australia? My dsil lives there and her and her ds have had some horrible reactions to spiders bites. Sending you much sympathy