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.
Blinking heck I read some of the posts and got a little emotional (doesn't take much, heart on my sleeve).
Huge huge congrats @Onewildandpreciouslife i bet you look fab. Buy a new lipstick, something ridiculously lux. Keep your old friend Sav in business.
Well I have sent the house money this morning! We are in lads next month!
This has taken two years and if I told you the back story I would have you crying into your soup. All bad things end and tomorrow is another day.
Excited Sav is me and I'll be buying curtains.

@Onewildandpreciouslife

Happy one year to you - amazing milestone to reach - bloody well done❤

@Onewildandpreciouslife - outstanding achievement on 1 year sober.
I'm loving my sober life, though it's not without challenges.
Lots of small victories as each is overcome. Sometimes draining, always worth it.
I continue to seek advice and stay accountable via this thread.

Hello! I just copied a long post so I could check back a couple of pages… when I pasted it back in to edit it had turned into a couple of dozen lines all tagging @Piglet89 . So I will take that as a sign from the universe to say hi to Piglet and Summerlovebug and any other newbies and lurkers. Hope you’re all doing ok.

congrats indeed to @Onewildandpreciouslife - what a fabulous achievement! Hope you’re having a wonderful day. Congrats also to @WendyWagon - I am thrilled for you and hope you have a brilliantly time picking out curtains. You deserve a break!

How are you @TheOtherHotstepper ? Thinking of you. Good to hear from you too @rockingbird , you are an inspiration .

I had a couple of trigger times recently, but managed them both. The conversations here around tears and therapy resonated. I have been meditating daily since new year and it’s interesting how my mind keeps serving up stuff that I thought was fixed, but apparently still has a bit of fixing to be done. But the silver linings include switching to decaf coffee, not accepting every single invitation to argue that comes my way and no longer panicking that I didn’t lock the door because my mind was somewhere else while I was locking the door. We’re never “finished”, are we?

@WendyWagon fab news on the house. So pleased it has come through finally!

Thanks everyone! I had so many plans for how I’d mark one year (including a tattoo!) but now they don’t seem appropriate somehow. My focus is mainly on my half marathon in 2 weeks, and I did a 13 mile training run on Friday - no way could I do this if I was still drinking. Maybe after that I’ll do a combined celebration!

so excited for you about your house Sav @WendyWagon !

Morning lads, I have ants in my pants and need to be up and doing.
D day today and I can then book the removal vans and give notice.
I had a blunt compliment from a friend yesterday who told me my face looked fab (it's pretty good for 57 having had 42 years of expensive slap on it). Ooh says she 'your face used to be all red and bloated!' combination of booze and steroids. Charming.
I was touched that both the DC bought me mother's day gifts (the DS is a bit tight). I got Gordon's AF and Lindor. Bloody marvellous.
I also got sensored on MN yesterday, first time ever in twenty years!
I shall be packing tape buying later.
As you were lads.

Good morning!

All good here, I'm pleased to say. I have successfully negotiated a weekend away and a meal out with friends for DH's milestone birthday in a calm and sober manner, despite him asking me repeatedly if I am going to have a drink and pulling faces when I say I'm not.

My skin was very blotchy in the beginning, but it's settled now and is better than it has been for a long time. I started using a vitamin C serum and I think 5at has helped. I want to buy some foundation now something I've never really used, but I have no idea how to find the right shade.

Fingers crossed for the next stage of your move @WendyWagon.

Remembering PJT

Morning@TheOtherHotstepper
For foundation virgins I recommend Water Drops from MAC. Lightweight. For God's sake don't get talked into studio fix or Lauder"s Double Wear. You'll never move it around your face! Too matte, too dry.
The max factor three in one is good too.
Colours? look for the warm or cool tone suited to your skin. If in doubt buy 'nude'.
You could buy off QVC as you can return it if isn't right.

Brilliant! Thanks.

400 days for me! Woo hoo. Love a round number.

Congratulations on your 400 days @Crunchymum , that’s brilliant!

well done @TheOtherHotstepper on holding strong at your dh’s birthday celebration. I expect it was worth it the morning after…

Thanks for the foundation tips @WendyWagon . Do they work for older 50 something skin too?

I’ve put some AF Guinness in the fridge for tonight. Dh is away this week so it will be nice to have a couple of treats.

Defo recommends for older skin. I think I am the oldest 'drybird' on the thread at 57.
If you have pots of money By Terry or Shiseido are my favourites. Lovely for mature skin and last all day.
Hudda beauty make great lipstick.

Congrats @Crunchymum you are an official vet.

Congrats on those milestones everyone🥳🥳🥳

Morning all! Congratulations @Crunchymum 🤩 that's a fantastic achievement! @WendyWagon hope all went well and those ants in your pants have settled down a bit. Exciting times ahead for you!

I'm trying to stay focused on work / life which is hectic but keeping me busy. Got through Mother's Day but wasn't expecting to feel so bloody emotional. The day turn into weeks.. the weeks turn into months.. I'm not sure how it's nearly April.! Beach hut season fast approaching, my favourite time of year. Though the weather here is pretty awful currently 🫤

Er, no you're not @WendyWagon! I'm ten years older than you.

Morning all.
@TheOtherHotstepper ah.
I always felt as a 'mature' woman ex soak I was a rarity. Ladette couture was after my single girl time.
Just had the counselling and my therapist said your children are invested in you not drinking again. Made me feel a bit ashamed but in a naughty frog way.

Mad BFF still hiding. I haven't got the headspace for her antics at the moment. I know a shed load of trouble is coming her way and I can't do anymore. A bit of self love for me is needed.

I was never a ladette. In fact, between the ages of 16 and 56, I had secondary hypothyroidism, which cannot be diagnosed by standard NHS testing and had no capacity for alcohol at all. Then I got my thyroid fixed (finally) and became a social drinker. Then my DM died, DMIL got dementia and I was under huge pressure at work, doing four jobs with no thanks and being paid for one and DH was working away, so I was in the pub a lot 'for the company'. That's when things started to get out of hand.

It's such a relief to have things back under control.

Is it wrong that I am more likely to eat desert now I don't drink wine? I was telling myself it's just a transfer of calories but I was out the other night at a place that tells you the calories and that desert was worth 3 large glasses of white 😳

I did this for a while.. needed a sugar hit 🫣 it's eased off now 6 months on! Maybe allow yourself the odd treat but be mindful of the calories. That said no harm ever came from eating cake 😆

Morning all.. rudely awoken by Alex playing music at 5am!! No idea why.. I'm pulling the plug on that bitch nightly now. Had my initial therapy session Tuesday, the poor woman couldn't comprehend what she was being told and kept recapping as if to make sense of it all. Fuck me it's going to fun unraveling this shit show - was what I've taken from the first session. Stexh has taken a twist, I will not raise to his narcissistic level of arrogance even though it's keeping me awake at night.

Today I'm working early then off to the cinema to watch the Whitney movie - 10.30 showing with free tea/coffee and biscuits ☺️ never been to a cinema on my own but I'm actually looking forward to it!

Happy Thursday to you all xx

I don’t think it’s “wrong” @Newmum738 . I find I’m less full at the end of a meal now I don’t drink all that sugar in the wine. I did occasionally find myself ordering dessert even if I didn’t want it, just because I damn well deserved it - so I’m trying to rein that in a bit.

That sounds a great way to spend a morning @rockingbird

Morning all.
Not a good one for me after the excitement of the house.
My darling little brother died yesterday. He was 54. He had been sober for a year.
He had kidney disease from a accident and had been ill for two years. Some of you will remember I saw him boxing day and DH and I panicked whether to hide the whisky. We didn't need to, he was dry.
What a waste of a lovely man. My heart goes out to his three daughters, two still in education. I didn't even reach for the booze, I would have been too ashamed. Hug your family peeps, we never know how the next day ends.

@WendyWagon I am so, so sorry. Look after yourself xx

WW I'm so sorry about your brother.look after yourself, and your family