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

@Onewildandpreciouslife good morning, how are you feeling today?
Yes 9 months, could have popped out a baby if I wasn't so old! I didn't drink in pregnancy or when nursing so I think the longest stretch of sobriety was 16 months. I looked fab.

@Onewildandpreciouslife blinking name change. Sorry tis me Sav. X

I have been following a thread which is heated and political. I didn't want others to discount my thoughts as the ramblings of a booze soaked fruitcake. I have been 'searched' before and trolled. I changed my name but it seems to jump around. As you were lads.

Good Morning!

@Onewildandpreciouslife Glad the surgery went well and hopefully you managed to get some rest overnight.

@WendyWagon Sav, that's ace!!

Other half came home at 3 this morning from a night out. Nothing too controversial - bit long in the tooth for that although that does sound like we were wild in earlier years (dressing up as where's Wally on a night out many moons ago is probably as risqué as it got). It did emphasise to me that I have no desire to wake up at the weekend and feel tired / rough after a night out with drinks.

@Onewildandpreciouslife glad surgery went well and fingers crossed for your biopsy result. I am glad being AF is making this 'waiting time' a little easier on you. Rest up as much as you can this weekend.

I'm off to a surprise party (my lovely dad's 70th) thankfully it's early evening and kids all invited. Not sure I'd handle an adult only evening sober. My lot are all drinkers, to varying degrees. I'm okay about later - I'm not worried about being tempted and I have my diet coke and my AF beer. Both unheard of at my family parties.

I do have one aunt who "kills you with kindness" IE won't take no for an answer. She knows I'm not drinking but I'm going to have to be firm with her in that no I don't want 'just a glass'. She's the only person I've come across who has trouble respecting my new boundaries, but I see her so rarely I can handle it.

The dreaded Christmas conversations have started in earnest. We were with my boozy lot last year so we'll either be at home or with in-laws this year but I'm already asking questions of myself about Christmas. I've never had a sober Christmas. Ever. Even with a 5 week old baby (didn't BF this baby). Even when 8 months pregnant (in 2014 and again in 2017. I have two poor little January babies). Even when I was the most ill I've ever been with tonsillitis over Xmas 2013.

I always drink at Christmas. Actually scrap that. I always used to drink at Christmas

I won't be drinking this year. I'm sure of that. There is no question in my mind about it but feck me it's highlighted, once again, how much alcohol dictated and infiltrated my life.

Well done on your 9 months sav wendywagon

How you feeling bunnies?

onewildandpreciouslife glad the op went well, hope you have time to recover properly and that the wait for results isn't too long.
I like your idea of Not Feeling Guilty About Things That Are Not Your Fault. Good idea. I was chatting to a friend yesterday and was reminded of a very difficult person I have been dealing with this last year and a half and was able to say "Not my circus not my monkeys anymore" which felt similarly liberating. I refuse to take on shit that is not mine. So, I will keep your mantra in mind too.

crunchymum Christmas can be a real stickler of a thought process. Especially that first one. I will be doing my 3rd Christmas this year dry and can hand on heart say I am looking forward to it. Not despite it being dry but because it will be dry. I won't have the inevitable hangover from drinking too much on Christmas Eve. I will remember every gorgeous happy moment of it. I will enjoy every mouthful of food. And of course i won't fall asleep in a stupor in front of the telly later on not remembering. And of course, no hangover on Boxing Day either. Winning all round.

And I've realised that although I used to get excited about high days and holidays because I could let go and drink (more) there was always a tinge of fear, knowing I would drink too much and all the negative consequences of that. I don't have that now. I genuinely look forward to celebrations and events.

I am on holiday for half term this week. First day of my holiday today and two things come to mind. I haven't been hanging on by my fingertips til I finished work (which I used to do - probably because I was constantly tired from drinking) and I am not spending the first day waking up feeling awful from having fallen into a vat of wine last night. Yes, i will have a quiet lazy day but it won't be spent full of shame and self loathing and wanting to throw up.

So, feeling all the wins.

Hello all, can I ask if there is someone able to host the next thread?
I can do it if necessary but as you know I am a morning person and not always around late at night for a hand hold.
We start afresh at 40 pages.
Thanks, Sav.

I'd be happy to host the next thread if you guys will have me? I'm almost 8 months AF and feeling strong.

I'll be on the new thread whoever is hosting of course x

Fab. You'd be a great host crunchymum.

That's a lovely post @Breathmiller it's really reassuring and captures things perfectly.

I'm beginning to see positives in being AF as I experience things being AF. I have to actually do something to know it can be done if that makes sense.

What I'm seeing is that not only can things be done sober but they can also be enjoyed.

I hope next Christmas I feel like you do but I accept that this year is my first and I'll be facing it with determination and dedication to remain sober but also knowing the sober life is so much better in every respect x

Yes, definitely makes sense. . The firsts are always hard, or the feel like they will be hard in advance. That first Christmas I did have to do a few "lala lala" pretending the red wine on the table wasn't there. But, yes, once I did it once I believed I could do it. But I do think it was easier than I had worried about. If it feels overwhelming the thought of getting through Christmas go back to today. That's all that really matters, this actual day.

Good morning all.
Nippy here.

Morning lads. Australia t minis 3 weeks. Anyone done a significant amount of time completely alone when newly sober? Considering Bali for the whole of February and leaving DP in Aus but

Remembering how spannered I got every night last time I was there because there was no one to see me do it 😬

Awwww thank you 😊

I'll start a new one once this is almost full. Still got a few posts to go.

I managed the family party yesterday. It was actually quite nice. Predictably my aunt turned up with a bottle of red for me. Wasn't my preferred grape or brand so didn't even register.

We were home by 9pm. My dad and sister were still going at 1am!!!! I actually feel sick thinking of their stonking hangovers. I am so glad to be un-hungover.

In other news we are rehoming a kitten today. We have a neighbour who isn't being very responsible and her poor car has just had its second litter. 7 of them. There are a few of us who look out for said neighbour (she is vulnerable but SS etc are involved). We've managed to find homes for all barring 1 kitten with our friends and family, but there is 1 nobody wanted. We have clubbed together for the fee (neighbour wasnt selling kittens. She isnt a breeder, just irresponsible) and mummy cat will be spayed next week. Thankfully my vet was very happy to take on the mummy cat and neighbour is thrilled. Will also get mummy cat fully checked over etc.

Just have to hope my two year old cat who thinks he is a baby isn't too offended by the new addition.

Opoh well done at avoiding the non supportive aunt's offerings. And happy Hangover Free Sunday.

Of course, as per mumsnet the rule of a photo of said kitten surely must be adhered too. (Although, I have always had cats and my old lady last cat won't be with us much longer. We have agreed that we are not getting another kitten 😞 so that we have a bit more freedom as the kids start to move out, so maybe best to keep that cuteness away from me).

Well done @Crunchymum for managing the family party!
Hello @HangingOver! I’m so jealous of your travels! Wow! Somehow I think it will be easier alone? No boozy friends or partner to lead you astray. And you are sober FOR YOU, no one else, and you’ve bloody well proven yourself over the last few years. So I’m sure you’ll have a blast and make yourself proud!!

Morning all.
Teribble night. Left the heating on. Mad dreams the whole night. Husband home again so getting nothing done.

Other than that I am feeling OK. Holiday next month. Florence, so not full of British boozers. Traveling light and we intended to get our Christmas shopping done.
Estate agents today, oh joy.

Missed you there hangingover . What an adventure. Are you moving back to Aus or a lengthy holiday?
You are not remotely in the same place you were last time you went. You take your sobriety with you. It's part of you now.

Morning sav wendywagon. I didn't sleep well either and have that fogginess from a disturbed night. I am on my holidays and slightly over ate last night. Not to complete discomfort but a bit too much sugar which gives me a sore head. I will never get tired of that feeling of waking up a bit discombobulated after a bad night's sleep and then the relief when I realise it's not from drinking the night before.

Feeling a wee bit out of sorts on my holiday. Not got a huge amount of spare cash to do lots of nice things but after a summer holiday that was the same I don't want to waste it.

Going out for dinner tonight though with dh to a fancy restaurant that we got vouchers for (last Christmas!).

Hi All,

Sorry to hear about the disturbed sleep. You've hit the nail on the head @Breathmiller disturbed sleep is a pain but so much more welcome vs disturbed sleep after drinking, urgh. Your dinner tonight sounds lovely!

Hope estate agent rendezvous goes ok Sav @WendyWagon

I am also on my travels for a few days, sans children however I no doubt will end up speaking about said small people anyway a lot. Up near the Lake District again and already stalking farm shops that are near the place, bloody love a good farm shop!

Feeling a bit off at the moment. Physically ok but a bit slow, and still feeling a bit groggy from the anaesthetic. Bored but too tired to do anything about it. The only good news is that I don’t feel like drinking!

Evening all.
@Onewildandpreciouslife have you got some magazines or books?
I recommend the impulse purchase, pro women. Tis about a pub tho!

I have been tidying. Not my favourite but we are renting still and our landlord wants a property check. Counted all the new shoes. Lots since January, however I would have spent £2k on wine in 38 weeks. (my excuse and I am sticking to it!). I have been much better lately. 😁

Morning all.
Cold but confident here.

I was reading about the text/WhatsApp sent in error. Very funny. I used to do a few of them in my drinking days.

However found out one of my team from my previous loved job spoke to the owner before she left and outed the 'Satan in a Suit' that forced me out last year. I feel vindicated. I would re join that firm tomorrow if he wasn't there. Let's hope he 'retires'.
Have a good day my friends.

onewildandpreciouslife are you able to rest? When I'm on enforced rest I enjoy an online jigsaw app while listening to podcadsts. Desert Island Discs is one of my favourites, some really interesting people on there. Hopefully you will start to feel better soon.

Morning sav wendywagon. Glad you feel vindicated.

I had a lovely evening out last night with dh. Beautiful meal then went to the cinema. I had a coffee mocktail. Cold black coffee, orange and cardamom syrup and tonic over ice. Absolutely delicious. I tell you, meals are a lot less expensive these days without wine and boozy cocktails. Dh only had one pint which he would have had much more if I had been drinking. In fact the whole meal would have been about excess. But it wasn't. It was delicious food, in an amazing setting with lovely company. I didn't feel drunk or overly loud, I enjoyed every single mouthful of my food then went to see a film (which I didn't fall asleep to 😊). And of course, no hangover, no regret and no shame. I so enjoy things like this so much more. I used to think not drinking would be worth it but life would be a little less enjoyable but it's the opposite. I thought it would be boring but it turns out it's much less boring. Everything is more vibrant, more colourful. I'm more and more becoming to realise that alcohol is the lie we are sold.

Good morning all, checking in with new username to reflect my no longer rock bottom status. Hope you are all keeping AF and well. xx