The Freedom Thread (continued) - A thread for people wanting to enjoy an alcohol free life. Everyone welcome!

[BunniesBunniesBunnies]

This is a thread for people who want to live an alcohol free life! These threads were started about three years ago by @DryBird2020 and they have been a continued source of support for people at all stages of sobriety. Whether you are one day, one month or one year sober - You are welcome! The only thing we ask if that you have committed to stopping drinking when you join the thread (as talk to drinking or moderation may be triggering to some of our posters).

My name is @Bunnies and I am almost 1000 days sober, in no small part thanks to this amazing supportive community. I hope to see many new and old posters on this thread!

Happy sober 2023 all!

@MyGhastIsFlabbered
@wanttobesober
@Fortheloveofgodwhy
@WendyWagon
@Blackberryblossom
@Breathmiller
@Onewildandpreciouslife
@AlloftheTime
@Newmum738
@Johnnyfartpants
@MyGhastIsFlabbered
@StayingVigilant
@Tramma
@Dry23

Just tagging a few regulars, I’m sure I’ve forgotten many!

… And here is the old thread for people wishing to browse previous threads:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/4653234-the-freedom-thread-continued-riding-the-rollercoaster-of-an-alcohol-free-life-alcohol-support-for-those-wanting-to-give-up-drinking?page=40

Thanks for the new thread @BunniesBunniesBunnies HNY everyone!

Shiny new thread for 2023! Thanks bunnies

Thank you and happy new year 🥳
Feeling positive and excited to see what a sober year looks like!

Morning all, HNY! Checking in on the new thread. Hope you all had a nice evening. Here's to a fresh new year on a shiny new thread xx

I’m in!! Thanks for the thread BunBun

Thanks for the new thread! Can’t believe it is 2023 already. I am feeling really positive. Thank you to all on this thread, it’s really helped me. I’m at 35 days AF today. I’ve started to notice my skin is better and my anxiety levels have dropped. Am still eating waaaay too much but baby steps right?!

Happy New Year! Happy New Shiny Thread! 🥳🥳🥳

Thank you Bunnies - glad we'll be in your capable hands this round. When is your 3 years? (Drybird - has your 3 year milestone been yet?)

Morning everyone. Hope you are all enjoying your hangover free New Year's Day. I will never tire of that! My third dry Christmas, my third dry Hogmanay.

I feel positive about this year ahead. Another year of rocking sobriety and growing in every way. And another year of friendship and support on these threads.

I will be 2 and a half years in February. If anyone is lingering around, maybe doing Dry January (again) and wondering whether it's worth giving it a go permanently- it is! Totally worth it! ! Dive in and reclaim your life!

Happy New Year! Lovely new thread too. So enjoyable sleeping solidly and waking up feeling so WELL.

Thank you!

Checking in for 2023!! Thanks Bunnies.

Thanks for hosting bunnies.

Happy New Year everyone!!

Thank you for the new thread bunnies I was just coming on here to set one up too! I'll do the next one.
Back from what I think is my first NYD run ever a bit slow because of covid but so nice to be out there!

I saved a post from the old thread but forgot to note who wrote it, so I'll have to @ separately, but it really made me think.

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

This is bang on the money. I found that prioritising sobriety meant that every other resolution became easier. More confidence, because I know that if I can stop drinking I can do pretty much anything. More time (no hangovers), more money (obviously), more energy. Endless wins.

So nice to see so many here already!🤩 Just noticed my typo in the thread title😂 Someone more capable should probably do the next thread😂😂

@Blackberryblossom I love that quote! So true! Hope you enjoyed your run - I just had mine too. Such a brilliant way to start the new year.

@Breathmiller my 3 year anniversary is in April though I’m coming up to 1000 days in a week or so which is also a cool milestone😃

It was wanttobesober who posted the inspiring line I quoted, that feels better to close that loop.
Today I shall be knitting and reading. I am stunned by how much easier sock knitting is without a trace of alcohol in my brain.

Been AF since 4th September. So so so happy with my decision, wish I’d done it sooner. Happy 2023 everyone

Thanks for the new thread.

Welcome @ilovetomatoes!

🎉🎉 here’s to us and a good AF 2023.

Place marking. Morning all again. Thanks Bunnies

I’ve just stumbled upon ‘wisebartender’ website with a huge array of AF choices but there’s also an AF festival
How cool!

I'm v new here. Only on day 4.5 af so far, so very early days but it's something I have to do as had a bit of a health scare over xmas that was a real wake up call.
I'm keeping busy which is really helping take my mind off it. The shaking seems to have stopped so that's good. I'd really appreciate any tips though to cope with the anxiety and intrusive thoughts, or let me know how long before that part of withdrawal stops? Thanks in advance.
I really want to be in the place a lot of you guys seem to be at.

@Yerroblemom1923 welcome.
I began to feel well after about three weeks. Well done on your journey so far.
You may need sugar if you drank alot regularly. I personally use fruit (mangos, plums etc). It seems to take away the cravings. Sleep can be disturbed too.

Hi everyone old and new. I'm returning...
I'm sure some of you suspected that my wobble had become a crash and you were right. I'm not proud and stepped away from the thread for a while, partly because of embarrassment. I've learned some positive things though and hope to be back for good now, solidly and dependably.

These are the things I have (re)learned...

Alcohol makes me feel crap. It drains my spirit, makes me doubt my very being and makes me act like a fool. I become loud, argumentative and silly. It doesn't help my popularity or give me more friends - they're all drunk too and won't remember or care about our alcohol fuelled confidences in the morning. Also, if I need alcohol to help me with those friendships they're not real. I'm lucky to have some really special people in my life, I don't need to seek out any others. Real friendships aren't forced or eased by drink.
When I drink, I eat too much.
I hate hangovers and am a real baby when I've got a headache the next day. It ruins the day for me and for the people I want to be with. Alcohol stops me being present and removes me from the people I love. I love waking up with a clear head on a lovely day.

I did however have a completely AF Christmas by virtue of the fact I was working. It was lovely. I'm was on nights so snatched bits of the day between naps but had a wonderful, glowy, content couple of days with lots of love and laughter. I'm taking that memory with me.

Since trying to be AF I have been on holiday, gone to dinner, spent time with family and navigated part of Christmas. I've done all those things completely sober. I have been challenged and I have successfully stayed off the drink. Those are big wins. I'm focusing on those.

Happy New Year to all of you - thanks for having me back!

Welcome back @SillyLittleMargaret sometimes we need to be reminded of all those things (it’s a good list!) I reckon you’ll smash January!!

welcome @Yerroblemom1923 you’ll find a wealth of knowledge, experience and support on this thread! Sorry you had a health scare. My 3 top tips would be appletiser at cravings o’clock (great for blood sugar dips!) Reframing stopping drinking as something you WANT to do rather than NEED to do. (You will see a massive reduction in your anxiety and sleep better I promise) Finally, keep your GP in the loop if you feel it sensible to do so. Going cold Turkey isn’t necessarily safe for everyone and you don’t want to make your health scare worse!