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!

Welcome @Pollypower and well done! It’s a big adjustment stopping drinking (also for partners), hopefully he’ll soon realise there’s nothing boring about sobriety.

… and sorry you had bad news @WendyWagon, I hope it all works out

Morning all

Welcome pollypower. Its a big shift but one worth taking. I have much more fun now.

fortheloveofgodwhy huge congratulations on your 1 year soberversary! 🥳🥳.

wendywagon so sorry to hear the house buying is causing stress, hopefully it will all iron out. Well done at staying AF.

I've not been on so much partly because I've been quite busy and partly I suppose because I just feel it is part of my life now. I do keep checking in though as its good for me to remind myself and I also like catching up with all your news. Thanks to bunnies for holding the thread.

I am 2 and a half years today sober today. It feels different this time (I had done a year an a half before) and that's partly because I set the intention it would be forever this time but mostly down to this thread and you lovely lot.

Keep going on all. It really is life changing. And it has led me to make major life changes in other areas too (food related mostly but not all.) I am healthier, more content, my relationship is better, my attitude to life is better but most of all I like myself a lot more. I am happy in my own (imperfect) skin.

I could never have done that work without the work done here on being sober first.

nice to see you @Breathmiller - I was musing the other day how it took me to my 30s to realise i can make impactful changes on my life (and health) through making changes to my behaviour. I took a long time to grow up in that respect. Diet, alcohol and now being brave and accepting my own choices are valid (working on that one a bit).

@WendyWagon i am so sorry about the house, is it game over or just a wobble? Excellent job not turning to booze.

@Pollypower have a lovely weekend, sod your DH if he thinks it is no fun having a sober wife, tell him it is no fun having a sodden husband

Well done @Breathmiller a huge congratulations 🎊

@Fortheloveofgodwhy not sure if just estate agents trying to get the figures in or I am buying from a arse.

@WendyWagon Sorry to hear about your house nightmares / I too am selling my house. It was priced to sell .. ie low as ideally want to be in new house by Easter - partner and I buying a house and need more bedrooms for his children. Anyhow, my buyer keeps knocking the price down - soooo fed up of the complaints! Deep breaths .... and bonus ginger shots.

Loving sobriety ... but partner back today - he has been away for two weeks ... he does love a cocktail but I know he will be supportive but will not be giving up booze.

Happy Friday! I'm a teacher so half term for me ... only 66 exam scripts to mark which will take 20 hours plus

Congratulations @Breathmiller😊😊😊

Lovely to hear from you @Breathmiller and congratulations 🥳

Morning all. Not a good one as seller pulled out of the contract last night. Lots of mud throwing. I am seeing something new (but very old) on Tuesday. I can't get my head around their thinking, we are just over two weeks to exchange. The house was on the market 8 months before we offered. I managed to go to bed and keep away from the corner shop. Hopefully the other house is lovely. Friday is my danger day.

Gutted for you @WendyWagon . Well done on not drinking last night - hang in there x

wendywagon i am so sorry. I can't get over that this can happen. I believe it happens in England a lot more than Scotland. What about where your living now? Can you stay there or do you need to be out?
Really gutted for you my lovely. Well done at staying away from the corner shop.
Just remember that as crap as it is, it won't be helped with a hangover and all that comes with it. You can do this.

@WendyWagon, is there an agent involved? If so, could they talk some sense into these people?

Celebrations related to my voluntary role last night. The 'girls' were out and the wine was flowing. I had a good catch up before it got too messy and then went home. My app says I have now reached the 11 week milestone and it feels gooood.

Have a safe and sober weekend everyone!

Sorry lads. I am feeling really down. I am being 'watched' too incase I go on a binge.
We have lost three houses in the last two years and paid in excess of £10 k in fees. We got to the 11th hour this time and the seller started shouting. It was taking too long (we had to re do our mortgage). There is little stock around and the agents always start ringing at the end of the month. I have had two weeks of daily calls, threats and now the house has gone back on the market. The date was March 1st and suddenly they are lying their arse off and saying January 31st. Another waste of time and money. My family home was sold years ago and we are desperate for our own walls. I am beside myself.

Oh wendywagon that's awful aboutthe house. Moving house is such a stressful time anyway without all of this. Can you reframe your family "watching you" to "protecting you" "holding you" even. They are keeping you safe.

Is there anything you would like to do today? Can you go out for coffee if you feel able? Or hunker down on the sofa and watch a favourite film with some cake? Or a bath? Or the cinema? You can get through today dry, just like you have done so many days before. You've proved you can. Don't allow this to derail all the wonderful work you have done.

Keep chatting here if it helps. Sending you a big hug.

I know its little consolation for all the heartache and hassle but that wasn't your house.

Your Wendy house is still out there!!

oh Sav that is shite. I so wish it could be resolved. Good job stearing clear of the temptation, it won't change the facts and will just make you be cross with yourself. Can you find another treat which works for you? We could arrange another meat feast breakfast meeting x

I'm sorry about that @WendyWagon . How frustrating and disappointing.

Evening everyone. @WendyWagon what a shit thing to do. But stay strong and sober.

I've got next week off work and we're off to Butlins. It's going to be tough but I can do it. I did it sober last year. I was thinking about it earlier and started to think I could cope with moderation. But then I realised that the eagerness with which I grabbed that idea and clung onto it meant I can't.

I've been exercising a fair bit recently and realised the other day that no amount of alcohol gives me the buzz that I get from a gym class. I've never been one for exercise before but for some reason this time round I'm really getting endorphins. Maybe it's the combination of being alcohol free and exercise that's the key?

Anyway that's enough of my ramblings for now!

Oh @WendyWagon that sounds so stressful and disappointing. I’m sorry to hear that.

@MyGhastIsFlabbered well done for enjoying the gym! I love exercise too! For me working out has definitely replaced that “buzz” I used to get from booze and of course it’s so much healthier and better for me. Well done to you for keeping your own sneaky thoughts about moderation in check👍

Really sorry to hear that @WendyWagon . Buying a house is so horribly stressful. It’s been a while now since we last moved, but I think it took me about a year or more to get over it last time. You’re doing brilliantly not to have drunk anything though. Well done.

I’m on half term too this week. We are going away with some friends today until Tuesday. It’s normally a very boozy weekend. I don’t think I’ll come under any pressure to drink from the others, but I don’t think they’ll do anything to stop me if I do cave either. I’m not going to cave. I’m not going to cave.

Good morning! Dinner with partner and his parents ... they consumed plenty of red wine and Prosecco ... I was happy on OJ with lemonade. Gym time! Enjoy weekends

Long time lurker, first time poster.
Married father of 1, who has drank for 30 years, now sober for 54 days.
I have cut down over the past few years, though I've come to realise that this is not the optimal solution for me.
I've been comforted and inspired by much of what I've read on here, so thank you all for the openness, honesty and truth.
I too have had the sugar cravings, the shock of dealing with life events without the crutch of alcohol, the self loathing when I think back, the excitement of what the future could be.
I'd hope to share more as my journey continues. Just thought I'd pop my head up and join in.
I love being sober today.

Hi @Gymspiration and welcome!

I'm just off to walk Parkrun the going to do a Pilates class. I was going to do body pump instead of Parkrun but I'm perpetually skint and short of petrol so reliant on a lift. But a park walk is better than nothing!

Morning all,
I ate 6 Lindor chocolates last night, 😋.
The BS has just rung (weird on a Saturday) and said I can transport my mortgage if I want to. However they are now ready to rumba. So many hoops at this time with the banks. All may not be lost!
DD home this weekend and she may have a student job. It is great to have your own money.
@Crunchymum I love the 'Wendy House'. Very witty.
@Fortheloveofgodwhy breakfast week after next?

Welcome @Gymspiration

Welcome gymspiration.
I love being sober today is a great mantra.

wendywagon does that mean the cottage might still be a go-go? Got everything crossed for you.