Sober October - Penguin huddle and chat

[goldfinchonthelawn]

@brightspice has a great thread going on how to do Sober October with a difference, with inspirational actions to take each day.

I'm on there but also fancied a general chat and penguin huddle for anyone up for it, so as not to hijack that focused thread with other stuff.

penguin huddles came about on a Dry Jan thread a couple of years ago. If you feel like a drink and struggle, come to the huddle and we tuck you up in the middle and surround you until you feel ready to waddle off into sobriety again.

Yesterday I had cranberry and soda while all around me were dirnking gin and wine. I loved waking up with a clear head.

Here are some penguins for Day 2.

Hello! Room for one more?

Definitely. Waddle right in!

Great! I’ve wasted another Sunday with a hangover so I’m starting today 🙂

Hi, can I join?
I’ve been drinking too much this year, and would like to try Sober October.
It’s my birthday next week, but it’ll be a really quiet one, so no alcohol.

Yes of course. Welcome @Bookaholic73 and @Hugocat1. My drinking crept up this year too. I'm sick of being tired all evening, having a wooly head in the morning. And a short temper.

I want to have lots of energy, a clear head and ideally lose some weight.

How about you?

Hi can I huddle in day 2 for me after Friday decided enough is enough feeling like crap day after 🥺

Can i join please? My drinking has crept up since my mum died suddenly in march. I know im useing alcohol as a cructch right now. She'd be ashamed if she could see me, tbh im ashamed of myself, yet another wasted weekend.

Thanks @goldfinchonthelawn very similar reasons here.
Plus, I go to the gym and do quite a bit of exercise, but get through a bottle of wine every other evening, so I’m not losing weight or getting healthier.

Huddle me in (even if I am a day late - apparently today is the 2nd not the 1st October...who knew?!). NHS stressed mum of one who uses it as a crutch to cope with the day.

Thanks @goldfinchonthelawn

I only drink on a Saturday evening as I don’t work Sunday’s but I’m getting through a lot.. bottle of wine, large bottle of beer and brandy coffee to finish off 🥴

Im getting blotto because I’ve separated from my husband and he has quickly moved on so defo using it as a crutch but bloody hell the hangover anxiety is like thunder rolling over me before I even open my eyes.

Plus October is a great month to get out for walks with the kids instead of dying on the couch all day ordering takeaways 😳

Can I join? Starting today as had a special event last night. I mainly drink 1 night a week in usual times, but tend to get pissed each time, and then deeply regret it the next day. During the summer holidays when we are away with friends, it's more like drinking every night for weeks on end. It's not doing my health any favours and not helping with my awful brain fog.

Hi @Bitterbean - welcome. How did tonight go? I just had cranberry and soda again.

@Hugocat1 - that sounds really tough. But hangovers probably make it even tougher. Long autumn walks with DC sound way more therapeutic.

This evening I had Lime & Soda, which was really lovely. I did think of buying some wine for a few minutes, but managed to ignore it.
I’ve also come to enjoy lemonade with robinsons lime & mint juice.

@goldfinchonthelawn thanks for asking. Well I'm quite hungover today so haven't done much but haven't drink anything. Its more of Friday or Saturday nights that are my triggers.

@Bookaholic73 that lime and mint is lovely. DC drank it all summer long. Hope they still have it in our local supermarket. Well done on avoiding the wine.

@Bitterbean We'll get you deep into the huddle by next weekend then!

@madmumofteens , @Spookyseason and @MrsMoppins Welcome! For some reason your posts have only just loaded. Starting on Day 2 is fine! Starting any time is fine.

@Spookyseason - so sorry about your mum. It's not easy to find a way through grief. I bet she would be concerned for you if she knew how much you were struggling. I found endless cups of tea soothing after my dad died. (As well as wine - got to be honest) But lots of hot tea felt comforting.

How are you all doing tonight? @MrsMoppins I recognise that use of wine as a reward after a tough day. I really want to crack that habit and find something genuinely destressing and soothing instead.

I'm iin

Hi@LesLavandes Welcome!

Me too please 🐧

Loving the penguins! Have come for a huddle!

So far so good for Sober October (but only after a spectacularly messy Thursday 30th). Have come to the realisation that booze really doesn't agree with me anymore and would like to use this month as a platform to embed some new habits. Stocking up on lovely squashes and planning fun activities for all my hangover free time!

Had some good news this morning about a job interview I went for.
Picked up a bottle of wine on the way home, but really don’t want to drink it this evening.

I’m torn between emptying it down the sink, or just leaving it in the fridge.

Brilliant news about the job offer book!

Poor it down the sink. I still feel shite after drinking on Saturday 🙈

Welcome @Stircrazyschoolmum and @RuLu.

@Bookaholic73 Congratulations on the job offer. Don't drink it. Find lots of other ways to celebrate. I might put the bottle on the table and cover it with post-it ideas of ways to celebrate that aren't wine.
Wine costs about £6-12 a bottle. For that you could buy yourself:
a novel by your favourite author
a couple of good quality glossy magazines
some lovely bubble bath, bath oils, salts or bombs
nail polish, a good handcream or lip balm, facial moisturiser or hair treatment
a stylish notebook and pen
fancy chocolates or a good ready meal from the supermarket
A few coffees at your favourite cafe
A new release film or two on Amazon

You could go for a walk at sunset with a mate, DC or DH
Watch a favourite film or rerun of favourite comedy
Go to a fitness class - get the buzz but not the drop the next day.

Can anyone else think of some good treats to give ourselves if we have something to celebrate or have had a rough day and want to destress? A full-time sober friend always goes for cakes but I don't want to swap alcohol for fat and sugar, doesn't feel like the right direction.

@Bookaholic73 congratulations on the job offer! I can’t match @goldfinchonthelawn most excellent list but what I can add is a reframe… you got offered a job.. well done! Don’t punish yourself with dehydration, a poor nights sleep and a headache tomorrow. You could donate the wine to a local raffle, gift it to a neighbour or squirrel it away in a dark cupboard for Christmas visitors. All these acts of generosity would reward you by making you feel good.

Just don’t drink it!!! Play it forward and see how proud you’ll be tomorrow if you don’t!

Thank you all for your advice. Can’t reply too much at the moment, as I’m out for a walk.
The bottle of wine hasn’t been opened.