The freedom thread ( continued ) Riding the rollercoaster of an alcohol free life! Alcohol support for those wanting to give up drinking.

[SavBbunny]

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 @fortheloveofgodwhy for hosting the last thread 💜
And here’s to the next 40 pages grin

Have a handhold, @Crunchymum . Anniversaries are painful and complex.

Sometimes we live our lives in survival mode - it’s often not pretty, but we get through it. And then we need to forgive ourselves for who we were in that time.

I hope that in amongst all those tricky feelings, there is pride in yourself that you’re turning this around x

@Crunchymum
I am so sorry. You mum would be so proud of you. I know my dear late departed dad would have been of me. He had tried a few times (I think Sav you need to knock this drinking on the head a bit, ha, ha). We all want to be there at the final curtain, believe me you don't. Done it got the T Shirt.
Hold your head high, you are a shining star. I believe we meet again with those we love .
'grief is the price we pay for love'

Holding your hand @Crunchymum. I’m so sorry you lost your mum, and that you lost her in such a traumatic way. She would be so proud of you I’m sure.

Hi All,

I have finally re-found this thread after my summer holiday. Hope everyone is ok. @Crunchymum sorry you lost your mum in that way and please have a hand hold from me as well.

Hello @Crayonpenny ! Glad you found us - how was the holiday?

I was a seriously heavy drinker for decades and finally gave up completely in the last few years, so to anyone who is struggling, life really is so much better sober.
When I was a teenager and in my early twenties, heavy drinking with friends was a good laugh, no hangovers, everyone young and behaving badly so not really a huge problem but when I passed 25 I didn't want to be still doing that but felt obliged to and looking back realise what a mess I was, making poor life choices and never really having a clear head and thinking my life would be boring without it. I worked behind a bar for a short time and that changed my view of drinking.

@Crunchymum so sorry you lost your mum in those circumstances - what a tough time you must have had.

so much admiration for you.
take care all

Morning all.
I hope everyone is well.
If you missed the post I have had a name change. I attracted a few nutters last week. Tis still me the Gordon's (0%) Girl!

Cracking on with the job hunt. Second viewing the cottage tomorrow. Hopefully all good.

Morning all!

Ahh that makes sense @WendyWagon I was a bit confused albeit doesn't take much. Look forward to toasting a 0% with you so to speak.

@Onewildandpreciouslife Thank you. In parts good, in parts a bit of a disaster. It was realistically probably a bit early on for me personally to have been on an abroad holiday but managed to parasail with the kids which was quite fun amongst other activities. Definitely some useful learning for me though. Not half cold back here though!

Morning! I survived the champagne reception (there were nice fruit punches available) and dinner, although the dinner was verrrry dull. It reminded me of the William Porter quote “ Alcohol does not make boring things interesting, it makes your brain stupid”. Anyway, at least I can remember all the conversations and don’t need to worry if I embarrassed myself, so that’s a win.

Interesting observation: most of the people didn’t drink much at the dinner. It used to be just me, then.

Absolutely loving “Quit like a Woman” by Holly Whitaker. Fascinating analysis of how Big Alcohol used the Big Tobacco playbook in terms of expanding their market.

Good luck with the job hunt @WendyWagon .

How are you doing @Crunchymum ?

Have a good day, all.

Welcome back @Crayonpenny!

@Onewildandpreciouslife well done. I do find other people's drinking fancinating now. It's like watching a chimps tea party!

@Paperthinspiders welcome.

@rockbottombird how are you doing?

Fascinating even!

Forget a handhold crunchymum have a hug! That sounds so awful for you, i am so sorry about your mum. Well done for sitting with these feelings, not easy feelings thats for sure. But, as we know, not made easier by alcohol in the long run. Your mum would be proud of you.

My grandad was an alcoholic, I loved him dearly, he was more like a dad to me (due to an absent actual dad). I sometimes wonder what he would make of me not drinking. I'd like to think he'd be happy that I am happier and more settled in life. I was a vit chaotic when I was younger and I know he was so happy when i got married to my lovely dh and he saw me settled.

Welcome paperthinspiders. Thanks for your insight into long term sobriety. It really is a much better way of life.

I loved that quote onewildandpreciouslife World domination, bitches? I think I'll settle for world peace, and that starts with my own peace, which I have much more of these days.

(I am doing rubbish on my phone usage though. I gave up the days i was ill and then it was my birthday, then i couldn't be arsed....- all sounds familiarly like when I was still drinking. One excuse after another. This one has been the hardest of this year's monthly things I've been working on. And what's interesting is once i kind of gave up other good things I've been doing have fallen like a pack of cards. Need to get back on it after a blip. Maybe ending the month on a high will feel better)

@Breathmiller don’t be too hard on yourself!!! I’m in awe of all your monthly accomplishments and even the fact you attempt them! And have had great success with many!
Phone usage is a hard one for so many reasons.
But yeah I REALLY recognise what you say about giving up one thing and then the whole thing falls down like a pack of cards! I’m much the same at the moment! Took a break from Headspace and simultaneously also gave up on taking my vits and drinking enough water. All these things would take me literally 15 minutes a day in total, so it’s not hard, but the moment I give up on one thing I seem to give up on everything (except my sobriety😇). I’m such an all or nothing person! Ridiculous!
anyway @Breathmiller i hope you’re no longer ill!

@BunniesBunniesBunnies @Breathmiller Interesting you both mention this, I feel like I can be like that when I find myself in a bit of a can't be a rut and it's a bit of a domino effect subsequently.

Must say though - and hope it's ok to say this - I'm really glad to be back on this thread with its total sobriety head, it's a nice feeling.

Thanks bunnies

Isn't that funny that we do that? And, of course when we do the Headspace, and drink the water and take the vits we feel so good. Beggars belief why we find it so hard to do stuff that is good for us whilst stuff that is not good for us is soooo inviting. Humans are funny fellows indeed.

I'm not berating myself really, just observing the experience. I have had a difficult month health wise with my pelvis and then this stomach issue so I'm cutting myself some slack. I've done really well in other areas, still worked, pretty happy, done the right yoga for what's going on,house stuff etc. I think that's quite an achievement when I've had everything going on.

And this stomach thing/allergy or reaction to food is getting tedious now so I've booked an appointment at my gp to get it investigated.

@Crayonpenny Im glad you’re glad to be back and we’re glad that you’re glad to be back😄

@Breathmiller health issues can really “take over”, hope you have the allergy sorted soon!

@Breathmiller@Breathmiller I had stomach problems when I first went af. I don't know why as with all that acid liquid you would think, huh?
I don't eat much now (still too fat) but if I go for three courses I feel sick. Could it be a reaction to any meds?
Mine are coming to their ten year anniversary and I think no longer working.

Oh ffs. Went for my regular check up with my oncologist and have a small area of skin that he wants to remove (had a vulval melanoma 3 years ago). So fed up, not least as I was training for a half marathon that I can’t do now. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to have minor follow up ops, and hopefully it’s not malignant, but I’m just so angry. This may involve a lot of chocolate

Sorry to hear that @Onewildandpreciouslife I can only offer the usual clichés I'm afraid - at least they are being vigilant and keeping a very close eye on you. I know that really doesn't help with the frustration and anger you must be feeling. It's time to dig deep ❤️

I echo @Crunchymum words and also sorry to hear that from your post @Onewildandpreciouslife

Checking in at 3 weeks. DH has had a few drinks here and there which hasn't been a trigger but weirdly at the pub for lunch with a colleague and I really wanted a wine. This is nuts to me as she wasn't drinking but strangers were. We planned to go somewhere else but it was shut and when she suggested the pub I couldn't think of another alt fast enough.