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

Hi everyone. Been lurking for a while and have been so inspired with all your stories. I've fallen out of love with drinking a bit this year but carried on almost daily even though, more often than I'd like to admit, I've not even enjoyed it!
Decided at the end of October that I was going to take a break and (apart from one day 🤦🏻‍♀️) have not drank since.
Amazed and delighted that I've managed a sober Christmas and hoping to carry on into January and beyond!

Welcome @Dry23 ! Well done on your sober Christmas

I'm currently away from home trying to support elderly parents and not elderly siblings who all have covid (I had it again a month ago). One parent consistently chose not to get vaccinated and is now consistently choosing not to test, but clearly has it, despite insisting otherwise. Anyway. I took several AF options with me, and said no thank you to the glass of wine that was being offered. That feels like such a win. A hangover would absolutely not help me. Sending empathy to everyone who is struggling with parents, partners, and self. @rockingbird enjoy your power tools! I will check back in later today.

Wow @Blackberryblossom that is a kind thing of you to do! Are you making sure you have some time for yourself, too?

Welcome @Dry23! How amazing that you just decided you had enough and quit like that, and even had a sober Christmas! That takes guts. How have you found not drinking? What are your favourite bits?

Anyway, we always welcome new people😃 Feel free to hang out as much or as little as you like. There’s usually someone around here if you need to chat/rant/celebrate milestone!

Welcome dry23. Good positive name there.

There's an interesting thread on AIBU. Someone asking if anyone has just gone off alcohol. It's quite nice to read how many people answering just saying they dont drink at all or not much. Quite a few stopping deliberately due to not liking the after effects. I often feel i am a non drinker in a drinking world so it was good to read that there are more than you think out there. It makes it not such a big deal.

Hi everyone
I have a bottle of Luke's AF sparkling wine
New year is usually ok for me until the champagne (my greatest weakness) comes out
Not going out this year but DH might buy a bottle (wanker) so that will be my test
Very much looking forward to an AF 23 and I've just been for a short run

Morning all.
Just had a 10 hour sleep with vivid dreams (I was a superhero with marvel type powers!).
I hate NYE so not going out. I have my Gordon's af and some fab tonic. I will be fine.
I am so looking forward to our new house and my gym membership. 2023 is going to be my year.
I wish you all a happy and healthy 2023.

Thank you for the welcome
I do feel so much better in myself, mainly for getting some decent sleep! I was finding just a couple of glasses of wine would ruin my sleep.
I've had a few wobbles, Christmas Day and eating out I've been very tempted but found it's easier when I find other ways to destress/relax/treat myself. Nice bath, book, chocolate!
Happy new year to everyone, hope 2023 will be kind

Happy New year from Sydney! Fizzy water in a champagne glass. The party was great and no one commented as I don’t think they noticed. Fireworks amazing!

Happy new year stayingvigilant

@Dry23 that sounds great you’ve done so well.

@WendyWagon i don’t like NYE neither, never have (not even as a drinker) and will be having an early night.

Happy New Year all☺️

Happy New Year to you all.

A quiet one here but lovely too. We have some nice food out and just the four of us. We're going to watch Glass Onion then stay up for the bells.

I look forward to being part of this lovely group of people again in 2023.

Sending you all much love and gratitude. 😍

Hello and welcome @Dry23 Hi @BunniesBunniesBunnies , thank you. Self care is right at the top of my list, I don't think I could deal with all this otherwise. I've been getting a couple of walks in every day, also found an open cafe for coffee and cake. Everyone seems to be turning a corner so hopefully I'll be heading home soon.

Wishing you all a peaceful NYE and a 2023 filled with opportunities rather than regrets. Thank you for all the support this year. Hang in there @wanttobesober , you'll reap the rewards in the morning. I'm planning my first post covid run tomorrow, but forgot my magic mooncup thing it will be slow run/walk intervals before any morning coffee. Glad you were able to enjoy the party @StayingVigilant , sparkling water in a champagne flute is clever. I will be seeing in the new year with a flute of Wilfreds & ginger beer.
Doesn't @Drybird2020 have an anniversary round about now? Congratulations! And Thank you for this amazing community.

How's everyone doing? I'm sticking to my guns, though DH keeps saying I can share his champagne at midnight. Much as I'd like to I will resist - it will just set me back again and I've been doing so well.

Hello ghast that's brilliant! It feels great to be in the closing hours and know that there is absolutely no hangover waiting for me tomorrow.
I am in bed with a stack of books, waiting to Skype dd and dh at midnight. I am missing them so much! Got Wilfreds, a can of tonic and an empty glass ready for midnight.

Ghast, pff to his sour tasting overpriced headache inducing, hangxiety drink made from putrid rotting fruit.

You can raise a glass of something else at midnight and have just as nice an evening. And wake up tomorrow feeling extremely pleased with your clean living body and mind.

Start as we mean to go on!

It is 10.30am NYD here with zero hangover and a cup of peppermint tea in bed. Ready to start the day with a mooch around an art gallery and lunch with relies. You guys have got this - imagine playing it forward, it’s bliss x

Happy new year everyone! I managed a NYE party with no alcohol, so am feeling proud. I hope everyone is similarly giving themselves a pat on the back. I’ve got into bed with a herbal tea, and am watching the amazing fireworks from my bedroom window. So beautiful and so cheerful.

Here is to a fabulous 2023 to all of you 🎉

Happy New Year everybody! Wishing you a happy and healthy 2023 🎉

Morning all.
A very happy new year.
Thank you all for the support, wise words and most importantly kind words. What a find on MN when so much is angry on talk etc.
2022 was a difficult year for me but my af journey made it easier. I think my health might have given out completely.
I am up making lists for the new house and getting my ducks in a row.
Health and happiness to you all.

Morning all and HNY
clear head to start 2023 nothing better 😊
I love a list Sav! Agree this place is a real find.
onwards vets and newbies there is big wide AF world waiting for you all 🥳

Happy New Year lads!
I loved sober NYE! I did a lot of dancing and stayed up to 2am (the party went onto 4 and as it was in my house I didn’t get much sleep - grrr.) Still, bright eyed-ish this morning and heading out for a run later.
Thanks everyone for your support in 2022 - I wouldn’t have made it this far sober without you. Wishing you all the best for 2023!
(And if you’re lurking on here - yes, you can do it, and yes, it is worth it x)

Woo hoo, it's 2023 and I don't have a hangover. Getting a ridiculous buzz from having another AF year behind me too. Congrats to everyone who bossed NYE parties AF. I'm going to get up and head out for a run. Waving to all of you and will check back in later.
I'm up for hosting the next 40 pages - if no-one else is already doing it?

Oh well done @Onewildandpreciouslife a party at yours sounds headache inducing without the booze 🤣. Enjoy the run.

I had a quiet one, took the family for a drink (AF) and then watched Glass onion. That was weird… had half a bottle of McG red and ordered some more AF drinks on Wose Bartender and came to bed just before midnight. Quite a bit different to last year!!

Happy New Year all of you xx

Happy new year
Here's to prioritising sobriety- because I think all my other resolutions hinge upon it