Alcohol free in 23

[DancingSober]

Hello!

This is the thread for doing a whole year alcohol free beginning tomorrow (although some have started a bit early).

This isn't a moderation thread, so it isn't for cutting down. It's absolutely no alcohol for the whole of 2023.

That said, slip ups happen and I will not be throwing anyone off the thread if they have a blip, (or several blips), but please don't post if you're planning to have a few drinks here and there, as it may affect people who are struggling to remain AF but want to.

Tagging everyone from the initial thread:

@SerialMover
@Metalhead
@nancydroo
@blondie87
@TooSunny
@Preparedforjobnottolast
@thenewaveragebear1983
@limitededitionbarbie
@afaloren
@hashbrownsandwich
@Wantmyownbed

I think that's everyone, but please join if you want to (it's open to everyone) and huge apologies if I have missed anyone with my tagging.

Well done everyone on Dry January!!

Has anyone else experienced headaches beyond the first few days of withdrawal? I’m obviously 32 days in now, but past three days my head has been absolutely killing.

I googled and self diagnosed with PAWS (post alcohol withdrawal syndrome) but thought I might ask here?

@blondie87 I am simply telling people I felt so good in Jan and achieved much more on weekends so I am going to try and stick at it a bit longer x

That’s a very good idea @onelife22 and no one can really argue with that.

Well done all on getting through the first month! We got this! 💪I've dubbed this month "Fit February" as I'm going to try to get more exercise and eat a bit healthier too.

Thanks for the congratulations on my promotion too. I'm so glad I didn't give in the champagne urge the other day. I'm definitely getting that massage asap though!

@rothbury I got some really bad headaches the last few days too. I put it down to lack of fresh air as I haven't been going out much, but maybe it was PAWS. I've felt really tired the last while too. Although I slept just over 8 hours last night without any meltonin, so I'm a bit better today.

@onelife22 That is a very good idea, and one that I think I'll borrow. Thanks! 😀

I think I’ll say similar @onelife22 !

I had really intense headaches for around the first 3 weeks. I put that down to caffeine withdrawal as I went from several cups every morning to nothing.

They have stopped now.

I’m doing really well with the diet again and hoping to drop another 2lbs before my holiday in 2 weeks. I’m also going shopping this weekend to get myself a new dress (spending some of the cash I would have wasted on wine). I definitely feel smaller around the waist.

I started the week with an exercise class on Monday and I’m going again tomorrow night.

My February focus is less screen time and trying to get to bed a bit earlier. Fortunately my sleep is really good at the moment so I must be doing something right.

I want to break the habit of sitting in front of the tv every night but not really watching it as I’m scrolling on the ipad or answering messages. I even managed to follow a Silent Witness for once as I was paying attention rather then half listening, half reading MN.

I have a work night out on Friday with a free bar, something I would have totally abused in the past. Feeling strong about starting with AF drinks and will leave early if I feel myself weaken.

I like that and might use it too.

Tanquery. It's actually perfect. Only annoyance is that the tonic I have is flat and no lemon. Apart from that it feels very much like a Friday night tipple.

Hello all. I've completed Dry January and I thought I'd have a drink to celebrate on Wednesday and I didn't and then maybe Friday ...and I haven't. So, I guess I'm continuing. I felt a bit lost so I found this thread! I think I have further exploration to do in the world of sober.

Having now experimented with various alcohol free beverages, I can't believe that I have never before come across Crodino. I've been to Italy loads. How embarrassing. The online reviews are mixed. However, I love it's sweet and bitter taste. I find it so much more complex than dull gin flavoured tonic. Thanks for the free sample at the train station, marketing people! I'm sold 🙂

Yeah, it's the moment it brings, I think more than anything. I'll have to look it up.

Well done everyone who is into another month. It's a great achievement. I'm 3 months now and one of the things I'd heard on the Sober Awkward podcast is that one of the impacts of being sober is that you have to feel your feelings as you can't numb them. I've been finding that a lot in the last few weeks. As a result I'm rethinking things in my life that I would have just gone along with, not necessarily big things. But thinking why am I doing this, do I want to do this, what do I actually want. I'm not making big changes but am starting to get clarity on things that niggled at me for a long time.

Day 34.

I did my first work night out last night with a free bar. I'm sorry but being the sober one is incredibly boring. Also I think people feel a bit suspicious of you. Maybe this is because usually I’m in the group of big drinkers but I feel like my colleagues couldn’t relax around me. It was really awkward.

I left as the dancing started. The music was great but I’m not at a place where I feel comfortable dancing sober. That sounds pretty sad doesn’t it? I’m so hopeful these things will come with time.

I enjoy every single benefit of sobriety and I know this is the right decision for me but it’s the evenings out when I wish I could just join in. It would be so much easier if no one was drinking then I wouldn’t feel so odd

I did my 2 week weigh and I’ve lost another 2lbs, which I’m pleased about. The diet is going really well. I’m still caffeine free and eating so much fruit and veg, taking my vitamins every day, getting loads of sleep. Reducing my screen time is also going really well.

Welcome @Tiddlywinkly the group has been pretty quiet recently. I would love it to be a bit more active. Hopefully there will be a few more updates soon as I know the weekends are when most of us find it difficult.

Ohh no @NoTimeForWine sorry to hear your night didn’t go well. I went out last night too, it was with family to a bar with a psychic, I’m usually not into that a few family members were going so I thought why not.

i know this sounds awful but I’d never been in the pub before and it was so rowdy and honestly I wanted to leave. It was 8pm and most people were so drunk, arguing with the psychic and talking rubbish.

my sister had a bottle of wine and offered me a glass, I considered it for a minute and the temptation was there for a minute to get rid of the awkwardness but glad I persevered. It helped I drove and the bar was a good 30 minutes from my house so very expensive to get home.

I left thank fully after not too long but felt so grateful I wasn’t drinking as I would have stayed. Just shows you how drinking will numb your instincts and what you really want to be doing.

anyway I left and now I’m fresh this morning and feeling good although tired. My family members all stayed out and ended up in a bar til 1am & now they’re all texting saying they have a sore head.

You must feel really pleased!

Tanquery. It's actually perfect. Only annoyance is that the tonic I have is flat and no lemon. Apart from that it feels very much like a Friday night tipple.

Thanks for the recommendation @coodawoodashooda ! I'll definitely try that. Hope you manage to get yourself some really nice tonic today, and lemon!

Well done on losing another 2 lbs @NoTimeForWine and maintaining your super healthy habits! I think being fully comfortable on nights out like that is one of the things that will take a long time to adjust to - I just can't imagine getting there at the moment...

Hi all, on my family weekend away and found it surprisingly easy not to drink when we went for dinner last night. DH has caved and just ordered himself a pint, I went to Starbucks.

That's interesting @WithFlamingLocksOfAuburnHair . I'll have a listen of the podcast. It definitely feels like there's nowhere to hide from your feelings when sober.

And weirdly I woke up this morning expecting that feeling of drudge after booze. Must have been psychological.

"Just shows you how drinking will numb your instincts and what you really want to be doing." That's exactly what I've been realising @Pollypower . If you have to stay in a situation sober in all it's reality you really need to want to be there! @NoTimeForWine I went to a sober rave years ago and it was amazing, I think because everyone's energy was in sync. I think I would find dancing sober where people are drunk difficult too as you're out of sync with where the other people are. I found my Christmas party difficult after a few hours as with a free bar everyone got very messy and I just couldn't be on the same wavelength any more.

Thanks for the understanding. One of the reasons why it’s so annoying is I only go out socially maybe once or twice a month, so not much in the scheme of things.

It’s a small sacrifice in exchange for so many benefits, so not worth getting upset about but I guess it’s just accepting that going out now is a different experience.

@PollypowerI also got up this morning feeling glad I didn’t drink. I slept well and got on with my morning. A much better position to be in as opposed to the anxiety I used to feel the next day.

@Coppergateit’s nice to hear I’m not alone in feeling this way. I’m at peace with the fact that this might take a while to get used to. I think it was the way my friendship circle reacted to me not drinking. A bit like there was something wrong with me (free bar and all). I get that it’s a big change but I actually felt a bit judged by them.

@WithFlamingLocksOfAuburnHair a sober disco sounds really fabulous right now!!!

I would sign right up for a sober disco. I'd pay extra if there were great snacks and it finished by 9pm 😅.

i often have a solo sober disco in my kitchen with my headphones! Studying for a work related exam today. Finding it much easier to recall things which only gets harder as I get older anyway. I felt the pull to buy wine on Friday and again for today with dinner this evening. But I keep reminding myself that the decision to not drink “has already been made!”. So it’s not an option. 👩‍⚖️

I’m at the spa today, a belated birthday treat from last year. A whole afternoon to myself to just read, have a little swim, go for a walk in the hotel grounds, and finished off with a 40-minute massage! And wasn’t tempted at all to have any wine with my lunch, just ordered a Diet Coke.

@TeeNoG finished by 9pm😂totally agree!!!!

@TimeAndSpace taking the option off the table is so much easier for me then trying to moderate. Well done for resisting.

@Metalhead I'm very jealous of your spa day. I haven't done one in years but may research my local area and use my alcohol-savings for it.

my OH has booked an overnight next Saturday. We have a reservation at 8pm at a fancy restaurant but he wants to leave at about 2pm to check in for 3pm. The hotel isn’t near much so I asked what we’d do & his suggestion of going to the bar for a few hours honestly makes me feel bored. I don’t want to sit in a bar watching him drink. This would have been ideal when I drank but I don’t and honestly feel like it’s difficult as we’re now on different wave lengths. And I know he’s disappointed I’m not drinking.