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!

Morning all.

I know what you mean about lockdown. I ordered a case of wine so we would have a little stock to draw on. I have never seen wine disappear so fast. Never again.

Trundling along quite nicely here. I even managed to cook something with red wine in without pouring myself a glass which I was staggered by.

I'm not reaping any rewards in terms of energy ATM. I'm bloody knackered and I'm on half term from work. Annoying.

small blip warning.

Hello everyone. Congratulations Jesussufferingfuck that’s a fantastic milestone! I’ve only skimmed a couple of pages but I hope you’re ok Wendy. You have many, many friends on this board. I hope you get a break with finding your new home very soon.

Welcome to all the new posters, you are doing brilliantly. I swear that the earliest days were the hardest, and the earliest Fridays were the hardest of all. Whereas tonight I am in my pjs, on the sofa with a mug of tea, and just finished a piece of toast and lemon curd. Could not be happier.

I am kicking myself for a slip a couple of weeks ago. I was picking up AF beer in Sainsbury’s and noticed a new one right in the middle of the Free/low alcohol section. I clocked the word “free” and bought two bottles. Splitting a bottle with dh that evening I didn’t much care for it so he finished it off. When he put the bottle in the recycling he noticed that it was labelled as gluten free, not alcohol free, not low-alcohol So I’m cross at the shop for putting it in the wrong place and crosser at myself for not checking properly. Between that and the Christmas pudding I have learned my lesson and will not be slipping up a third time.

In other news, after the chaos over New Year I have nearly finished the 8 week mindfulness programme that I started. It is making so many tiny differences and I wish I’d thought to try it earlier. Anyway, no time like the present! And yes, lockdown drinking utterly broke me. I am so relieved that I found this place and all the tremendous support here. Happy weekend all.

Evening all. I'm shattered today! Happy Friday everyone. I'm taking the plunge and getting my hair chopped short tomorrow...eek! Anyone want before and after photos?

Yes, yes to before and after picnics.

I'm on the cusp of getting mine sheared off but can't quite make myself do it 😂

@Blackberryblossom I'm not sure I'd count your blip as a blip? It sounds like a genuine mistake and you didn't choose to drink alcohol nor did you know it contained alcohol (it also doesn't appear to have triggered any thirst for the poison in you?). If this was a crime and was put in front of a court of law you wouldn't be convicted as you didn't have the mens rea (intention) when you "committed" the action.

Long, long winded way of me saying I really wouldn't let this count as even a teeny blip ❤️

Pictures not picnics 😂

Oooh exciting Ghast! I am gradually taking mine shorter but have stalled at a short bob that’s just long enough to tie back.

crunchymum thank you, that really helped! I wasn’t planning on drinking at all and it certainly didn’t provoke any wish to do it ever again. I’m just a bit cross at myself. But I suppose a little bit of self-forgiveness would go a long way here!

I ordered new glasses this week. I use contact lenses nearly all the time, but my old glasses prescription was way out of date. It felt good to do something just for me.

And it was a complete accident. Though why on earth Sainsbury’s think that gluten-free beer belongs in the alcohol free section complete defeats me. It was 5% proof 🤷‍♀️

Morning all.
Tea and scone down.
Issues with the DD. I put myself to bed. Safest place for my 😝
I have saved the Kylie AF prosecco for tonight. I thought it might be ruined by a curry!

Morning morning. Catching up after a busy few days.

def not a blip Blackberry. I wonder if it was the alcohol that made it grim or the gf-ness. I say that as a gf-er.

always go short with hair - bit short hair advocate here. And absolutely to pics!!

hope the weekend isn’t too bad @WendyWagon and your DD is ok. Still having schoool traumas here so you won’t be pacing alone!

Really looking fwd to this weekend. Has been quite a challenging week, work and family wise.
Still enjoying the sober life, though I realise sobriety is a journey and not the destination.
Still learning how to manage this, though I know sober me is the best version of me.
Thoughts and best wishes to all who are on similar path. You all inspire me and have helped me get this far (68 days and 9 hours)

@WendyWagon how is the Kylie Prosecco? I think it's great that she chosen AF to put her name to and definitely makes me want to buy it 😂

On the Kylie tonight lads!

@Blackberryblossom oh that’s so frustrating!!!! I drank one alcohol beer a few months into my sobriety, I thought it was an alcohol free one and I was so upset😭😭😭😭😭 But for me it actually confirmed I really didn’t want alcohol. I didn’t consider it a blip as I didn’t intentionally drink it.
@Gymspiration you are doing great, keep going👍
@WendyWagonlove how you’re already planning your AF night🤣😁 I’ve gotten some nice AF beers in for tonight too!

streaks across thread wearing only a feather boa

Lads, I'm at 1000 days - hahhahahahhaaaaa!

Day 5 into giving up sugar (refined, I'm not going proper low carb but I'm being mindful and trying to portion control carbs)

It's not been too bad. Although those who have been around me he past few days might disagree.

My sister was like "oh god, no wine and no sugar you may as well fling yourself under a bus" 😆

I need to loose a fair bit of weight (3/4 stone 😢) for both my physical and mental health so I'm hoping this is the beginning of that journey.

Just over a year ago it easy unimaginable that I'd ever be sober so I know I have strength, determination and the ability to make drastic changes. But food / sugar is such a different issue isn't it? Watch this space I guess. I'd love a stone off for summer and 2 for Christmas. Slow and steady wins the race x

Before

Drumroll please...

good luck Ghast - i keep toying with the idea of giving up sugar too as I am eating too much chocolate and my skin is getting sensitive and pink when it shouldn’t be. I think it would be quite hard and I don’t know if it should be dairy or sugar to quit for skin but I don’t want to give up Brie one little bit.

@HangingOver 💃🪩🏆Congratulations you absolute legend! You were here in my early days and gave me so much encouragement, 1000 days is phenomenal! Enjoy your day and your boa!

Excited for you Ghast! You have inspired me to have a look at some styles. I will be back this afternoon to read and reply properly, just caught up in weekend chores. Thank you everyone for the not-a-blip support x

After:

Absolutely gorgeous @MyGhastIsFlabbered

What a difference but it's so sleek and really enhances your eyes. It's amazing.

I bet it feels so weird?

@HangingOver

Massive, massive congratulations on 1000 days.

You and the other ladies that have come before have made my own journey feel positive and empowering. I hope ome day to reach quadruple figures too.

Oh my goodness ghast!! That looks so good on you. You have big gorgeous eyes anyway but the hairstyle really makes them stand out anyway. Your expression in each photo says it all.

Waves to hangingover Must be a hell of a lot warmer where you are if a feather boa is keeping you warm enough. Massive congrats on 1000 days my friend.

@HangingOver well done, what a milestone!!!
You look amazing @MyGhastIsFlabbered🤩

Hi all...
I know I havent been on much lately, but I have realised that I need this group more than I think. I'm so impressed with those who are many months and years on who can go it solo.

I haven't been on so much as I felt I didn't need to be, sobriety was just part of my life now blah blah blah.

But I've noticed that the thought that maybe I could moderate has been creeping in again this last week. I do think I need to be on here to keep me accountable. I was so close last night to voicing out loud to dh that I may tentatively start drinking again. But I somehow felt that it would make it more real. Then, I had the thought that I would have a drink in secret so that I could make a decision that didn't involve anyone. Not the secrecy itself but in a way to decide for me if it was something I wanted to do before I brought it out in the open.

That's when I realised I need to come back on here. I have been going over what I have gained and what I would lose if I started drinking again. It's a strange thing and as was said upthread, sobriety is a journey not a destination.

I went and bought my favourite AF red wine and am having an afternoon off with it and some olives and nibbles and a jigsaw. And trusting that this thought will fade again.

An added thought to that is...I'm annoyed at myself. Not annoyed that I had the thought of drinking again but so very annoyed with myself that I have allowed myself to get to that stage that I can't drink sensibly. Annoyed that I wasn't more together as a younger person that I could drink sensibly then and drink sensibly now. Does that make sense? I'm slightly pissed off at younger me.