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

[Crunchymum]

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 @WendyWagon for hosting the last thread 💜

Here’s to the next 40 pages

@wanttobesober - what would be the perfect end to your day if you stay sober? Imagine yourself there - in my early days the thought of being tucked up in bed with a herbal tea and a good book kept me going!

Are you reading any quit lit at the moment? It can be helpful in terms of getting your mind in a better place.

Thank you onewildandprecious*
I do like that image- cosy in my bed with cup of peppermint tea or similar
We have guests though so I'll be up a little later than I'd like. However, I'll still hold onto a similar thought and might warm up some mulled punch
I'm definitely love forward to seeing a full day booze free on my
Counter and feeling good in the morning

I've been devouring quit lit in audible
"Unexpected joy..", "this naked mind" ""alcohol explained", "girl walks out of a bar"

Very jealous of all your pets!!!
I’m feeling very reflective at the moment. It’s been a year of lots of extreme highs and lows. But I’m still here, still sober. And this morning after a challenging start to the day with over excited, overtired children I had the most wonderful, mindful, peaceful walk in the country side with them. Doesn’t happen often and I felt so grateful, I just wanted to hold that moment in my mind forever. It feels nice writing that down🙂

Also, welcome to new people! And I am excited for you @rockingbird, starting the new year in your new home. You’ve come a long way this year!

Morning all!
Your walk sounds beautiful @BunniesBunniesBunnies . And “still here, still sober” is a lovely thought.

Reflective time here too. 9 months sober today. And 4 years today since I was told I probably had cancer. Still here, still sober. Very grateful for both.

Morning all.
Was feeling a bit sorry for myself until I read one precious. Bless you x
Off to London. Don't feel much like going but I hate letting people down. We never know what goes on behind closed doors. Off to Fortnums so should be able to get some af swag. Will keep you posted my friends.

Hope all goes well wendy
❤️ precious
Your walk sounds beautiful bunnies

Enjoy the bright lights @WendyWagon London is a bit mad but very pretty this time of year.

@BunniesBunniesBunnies I’m often jealous of folk with no pets.. they create a lot of mess! Your walk sounds lovely. I went out with the teens on a walk yesterday (usually I walk to escape them!) with a clear head and calm mind I was able to find their banter/bickering funny and endearing rather than bloody irritating and ended up quite nostalgic that they will be all grown up soon. 🥲

@Onewildandpreciouslife what a journey you have been on and what an inspiration! Most definitely a reflective time of year and a time to be grateful for all we have and all we’ve achieved. xx

For me it's not the let's that make the mess it's the kids!

Pets not let's!

@Stircrazyschoolmum that sounds like a lovely walk too!
@Onewildandpreciouslife they are important milestones ❤️

Good morning all, checking in AF and feeling as fresh as a spring daisy.

@Onewildandpreciouslife bless you my lovely, life is indeed precious and amazing AF! Much love to you xx

@BunniesBunniesBunnies still going strong, feeling grateful is such a blessing. I often have those moments and can relate to that warm feeling.

@WendyWagon oh beautiful London, my birth hometown. I never tire of the hustle and bustle of London life especially this time of year. The tree in trafalgar sq is always so beautiful!! I have got us tickets this NYE to see the fireworks at midnight for the London Eye viewing area. As kids many moons ago we'd be allowed to stay up and walk down to the bridge to watch them every year. I want my children to experience that to.. really looking forward to it. Fortum & Mason is a fabulous shop to visit this time of year, enjoy your day.

@wanttobesober hope you made it through the evening unscathed yesterday. Check in and tell us how your getting on.

I'm sitting here in a dressing gown fully clothed.. waiting for a heating engineer. Pfft I faced far more than a bit of a chill this year, no drama. 😉

Have a wonderful AF day everyone!

@Rockingbird
Thank you
I did make it. Felt great getting into bed sober and even better waking up unpoisoned

Ah so lovely to hear of all your reflections and walks and visits to London. Fortnum’s is always beautifully decorated too - looked like an advent dolls house last year iirc. Not very Christmassy here! Not a glitter of tinsel to be seen. There’s not even Christmas songs in the shops. In fact there’s no sign of Christmas at all now I come to think of it.
Day 7/8 and going ok. Had a lovely lunch on a farm - one of those farm to fork places. Apparently owned by the first aussie master chef winner. DH had a AF beer - impressive! Followed by a vino but only one. I had water. Met up with DHs friends for a drink this eve but I had a coke whilst they had wine & beer. Going ok with no difficulties (yet).

Well done @wanttobesober !

Really well done stayingvigilant

Thank you onewildandpreciouslife
It's hard atm but so worth riding the cravings because I feel like shit when I drink and so good when I don't
It beggars belief that it's difficult to abstain when alcohol does nothing for me

checking in - all fine and sober here. Out to dinner with some couples yesterday evening and I drove and even one of the non drivers wasn’t drinking. Going out and having a nice evening without self inflicted illness and vast expense, seems to be catching on, somehow.

Another outing tonight then I need to knuckle down to a lot of cooking. That is probably the closest thing to tricky at the moment. I loved to have a glass of wine while batch cooking but I may put a podcast on instead and have elderflower cordial. Change it up a bit.

tramm I really enjoy sober socialising and you're so right about feeling good for not poisoning yourself. It's a great buzz
Kitchen / home drinking is my biggest weakness. I had tonic water and Luke's non alcoholic spirit yesterday and also some mulled fruit punch- both hit the spot. Enjoy your batch cooking

Can I ask if any of you have a favourite quit lit book?

I’ve not read any quit lit other than Annie Grace’s ‘Naked Mind’ and then only half of it as I found her ‘Alcohol Experiment’ which I absolutely loved. This was Christmas 2020 and before I thought I could moderate but I still think about her words. It’s a 30 day ‘experiment’ Here She challenges you to quit for a month. Everyday she sends an email with a video to watch that tackles some aspect of drinking/quitting. I found it invaluable plus it’s free.
Im currently listening to ‘Quit Like A Woman’ but finding her voice a bit annoying. Need something different. Allen Carrs book is meant to be very good - I found an audio abridged version by two aussie guys and again some of the imagery has really stayed with me. I think the proper long version of the book would be good.

I've listened to and liked "this naked mind". I'd say it was largely based on Allen Carr's approach/ book tbh.
"The Unexpected Joy of being sober" was good, "alcohol explained" and "A E" 2 were informative and "girl walks out of a bar" was excellent imo
I found "the sober diaries" quite irksome to listen to but I think she had a really worthwhile personal story

@Tramm you mentioning a glass of wine whilst cooking takes me right back! I used to LOVE a glass (or 3🤣) of wine while cooking and almost couldn’t imagine cooking without it. But I truly don’t miss it now, in fact I had almost forgotten how I used to do that until you mentioned it!
podcasts are a great idea! I often listen to podcasts now (or audiobooks) while I cook, and I do have a nice drink on the go (diet soda, herbal tea or alcohol free beer). I really don’t miss the drinking wine while cooking at all. Good luck to you!

Morning all.
Poorly girl here. Had a turn yesterday on a very packed train. Nearly fainted. Friend offered brandy (not my poison). However I thought I would tell you a cautionary tale. A friend of a friend went to rehab last year. 10 days in they walked out sighting too much 'navel gazing'. They weren't like those people (we never are!) This year they are back to putting whisky in their coffee and can't put their finger on their poor health! This time last year I thought I would never been able to stop the daily drinking (and in my mind why should I, its my life blah blah). I am so grateful I started this journey. I would not have been able to cope with such a challenging year with a muddled mind.
Have a good day my friends.