New Year Challenge - 100 days alcohol free. Anyone want to join?!

[S2P78]

Hello,

I know very well that my drinking has crept up to unhealthy levels in recent months again due to a difficult relationship period. I feel how low alcohol is making me, and it adds nothing to my life. I'm 44 and I really want to stop.

Would anyone like to join me in a 100 day challenge from 1 Jan? I managed 80 days last year and felt amazing, but since then my drinking has increased to really unhealthy levels and I feel really rubbish again.

Let me know if you might be keep to join for support!

Thanks.

Welcome back @S2P78 sounds like a fab trip, and congrats on clocking up some wonderful milestones: vineyard trips, and long haul flights. You really have got strength in you, and impressed with your resolve to do a year. You're my AF twin, I'm 57 days as well, just going One Day At A Time. My goal is 100 days, so over half way. Anyone else still going on the 100 Day Challenge?

I'm in a strange place, and the witch is playing tricks on me - it's not the booze I miss, it's the ritual, the habit, the treat that I've been substituting but not quite replacing. It's the highs and lows - this level, calmness feels boring. I'm sorry, I feel guilty even writing this down, but I need a bit of drama and excitement. I'll have to think about this, I think there's a message here.

Another weekend down, people. I'm sending all the hugs, cheers, strength and anything else this wonderful community needs for the week ahead xx

@Emnet23 Thank you! I totally get you on the level calmness feeling boring sometimes. I am a person who is very used to the highs and lows of life/drinking and it feels weird to feel so balanced now I'm not drinking. But i think it's about replacing this with other ways to feel excitement. Finding other sources of highs and lows if that makes sense - just healthier ones. I swam in eight degree water for the first time at the weekend, for example! That was a massive high - although bloody freezing, ha ha. I did a fair bit of cold swimming in Cape Town where the tidal pools are cold to prepare. I'm trying to find other ways through exercise of getting the 'high'. As for the lows, they come with life anyway so will always hit you now and again, and feel glad they're not self-induced!!

@frostyfours thank you that's very kind and made my day! Holidays are a massive challenge. Hard to remember that your mental health is better not drinking when it's already better on holiday. Good luck and keep going!

Hello! Is anyone still going?! I'm now 84 days....and plan to keep going past 100. Feeling good, but am struggling a bit on the friendship side. Just so many of my friends drink a lot, and it's part of social life - a few are being a bit funny about me not drinking, and I know would prefer it if I did. One in particular has pretty much dropped me now I'm not drinking! This is the toughest bit, and I knew it would be....the 'not fitting in and feeling judgeed part'. Anyone got any advice please? It makes me feel like I'm not doing the right thing, even though I know I am for myself. Thanks

Still going strong 280 days af today 😃

I’m still going strong too - day 92 for me. Not planning to drink again (hopefully).

Still going! 

Ah @S2P78 that sounds hard going. How does you not drinking affect them? Hmm... maybe makes them realise they have an issue with alcohol. As for the friend who's dropped you, not a friend I'd like to have.

I hear you though, we are still making new friends in our relatively new surroundings and I do wonder if the social side won't happen/happen as fast without us drinking. DH currently on board as well.

My mental health is miles better and I feel contentment a lot of the time now. The thought of drinking makes me feel ill and I know how toxic that first sip will taste after a long break again. It's literally poison!

100 days it is! How is everyone?

@frostyfours CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I've also reached 100 days and feeling very proud...and going to continue. Fortunately, I don't want a drink! Imagine I'd be on the floor after two now, anyway. Feeling that this will only get better this year if stay off the booze...it's a bit tougher now with longer days/sunnier weather though!

My record is 140 days in a row then that really reset my relationship with alcohol for the remainder of the year. I want to get to at least 150 this year (for some reason I find it hard to say I'll never drink again) which means my whole May holiday needs to be dry. I'm taking inspo from you @S2P78 - you tackled this at a very early stage!

I don't miss drinking but I am realistic that it will be much more tempting on sunnier days. 'Luckily' those are still few and far between 😂😂

Day 300 today of being alcohol free 😊😊😊 getting closer to the year mark now 😊😊😊

Only gone and done it! 365 days... 1 full year alcohol free!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

@crystalarter13 WELL DONE!!!!! I'm almost six months....and life is so much better, but it's hard sometimes! Summer is testing me a bit - any tips please?! I think I need some extra help to crack on with this now! You must feel SUCh a sense of achievement!

Thank you so much! Feel amazing and not going back to drinking again! I've literally been drinking plenty of water and when it's been warm having alcohol free drinks such as kopperbergs... non zecco... mocktails so not felt like I've been missing out. I did find it odd when going to a pub with family at first but luckily the pubs around me stock alot of alcohol free drinks including gin wine etc so it felt like I was joining in without the effect of the booze if you know what I mean. Stick at it honestly you'll not regret it... I sleep better.. I've finally been able to come off my anxiety medication too with support from my gp ... I feel more energetic... the perks definitely gave me motivation to stick at it... Good luck to you too you're doing amazing! X x x