The support thread (continued) for an alcohol free life. All welcome.

[WendyWagon]

Hello and welcome to the alcohol free support thread. We are a welcoming bunch. These threads were started by @drybird some three years ago.
We are a mixture of sober sisters (and the odd gent) who want to lead a alcohol free life. We chat about everyday things that we use to drink to manage. No question too silly. Someone will have done/thought or been through the same.

Hello @Findyourneutralspace and welcome. I recognise what you are saying. I really hated myself by the end of my drinking which was sad as I’ve always liked myself. I thought I would never like myself again but I do now, and more than that, I accept myself. It’s a very nice calm feeling. Feel free to post however often about anything at all, we’re a friendly bunch.

What a lovely welcome @BunniesBunniesBunnies - thank you 🌸
I’d love to be at peace with myself. I’m about to start some therapy for my self esteem because it’s never really been high, but ditching the hangovers is sure to help.

That’s great that you’ve got some therapy too @Findyourneutralspace. Self-esteem and mental health do improve so much when you quit. It helps to have some coping mechanisms up your sleeve for when you’re finding things hard. I had no coping mechanisms when I was still drinking - Just wine! Now I have podcasts, baths, I walk, run, read and garden, I cook nice foods etc. But I had to build that all up from scratch. Do you have stuff you enjoy doing to help you through tricky times?

Congratulations on 3 years tomorrrow @BunniesBunniesBunnies. As well as being an absolute inspiration for my personal AF journey you are just all round a wonderful person. You've always been kind, honest and supportive to me and I appreciate it so much. Your posts are always positive but real. You never judge, you are always strong and solid and just very genuine. I'm sure youare absolutely lovely friend / relative ❤️

But WTAF was I doing advising you about being AF in 2020?? 😂I wasn't even at my worst then..... wonder why I thought I had anything useful to contribute lol 😆

I do have things I enjoy yes. I do outdoor swimming which is the best buzz - gives the same off switch as wine without the hangover. And I try to get to the gym. Evenings are (like most people) my danger zone and I have two shops a stone’s throw away with an endless supply of wine, already chilled. Sometimes I don ‘the cloak of sobriety’ (my dressing gown) so that it’s too much hassle to nip to the shop. I might put it on now actually…

@Findyourneutralspace ”Donning the cloak of sobriety”😂😂😂 I’m on this thread for mantras like that😂😂😂 Such wisdom😂

(Must keep this in mind for the next thread title!)

Outdoor swimming is fantastic☺️👍

@Crunchymum clearly even in 2020 there was a sober hero within you just waiting to be released😂😂😂 Thank you so much for your kind words as well xxx

Glad you approve of the cloak @BunniesBunniesBunnies 😀 It’s served it’s purpose this evening, and I’m off to bed, sober as a nun on Sunday.

I am sending a big congratulations to @BunniesBunniesBunnies
Thrice a Sober Sister. What an achievement. 🎉

Woop woop @BunniesBunniesBunnies ! Three years is awesome 🎉🎉🎉

Thank you for all your wisdom and laughter

Glad the cloak served its purpose @Findyourneutralspace😁

Thank you so much @WendyWagon and @Onewildandpreciouslife! Woke up after a solid 8 hour sleep feeling great😁

Congratulations @BunniesBunniesBunnies three years sober is an incredible achievement.

bunnies 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 my friend!
Massive congratulations to you on your 3 year soberversary. Your kindness and wisdom and unending support on here is always noticed and appreciated. How many people are still on the sober wagon because of your presence? Me, for sure, so thank you, thank you thank you. 🙏

And I love hearing how far you have come. You are truly an inspiration. Enjoy all the sober celebrations and moments of reflections today. The field of bunnies is aptly named.

(Also hi to drybird . So great to hear from you. 🩵)

Hello! Just dropped in to say hi and realised I am a week away from my 3 year soberversary! Still loving it and can't imagine going back to my old ways. In truth, I barely even give it much thought these days - my new normal. It's good to see the thread still running, and to recognise some names from the earlier days (waves to @BunniesBunniesBunnies as we started around the same time). Well done to those of you just starting - you won't regret it. It's a tough journey, especially the first few months, but sobriety really is a super power that can give you so much happiness. 👌

Wow @Teetotallyimperfect congrats to you too😁😁😁

Thank you @Breathmiller and right back at you - Wouldn’t still be here without the support of you and others on here. Waving at @Drybird2020 also😁😁😁

Just got back from my run! Life is good!

Happy 3 years you epic woman ❤️

Here's to another 3 years!! Hell here's to another 33 years.

Thank you @Crunchymum! I believe my first post on these threads said something like “I hope to be able to moderate one day”😂😂😂

Screw that shit! I hope to be sober for life😁😁😁

Can I join you guys? I'm only 3 months sober and I'm so glad @BunniesBunniesBunnies posted the link to this thread as I think it'll really help me along.

Welcome @WillowtreeHouse and congrats on your three months🥳

Hello @WillowtreeHouse , congratulations on your three months, that's great x

Morning all.
Sorry I left the bridge.
Traumatic day yesterday. I had a panic attack in the night. No interest in corner shops or the like. However I have a new book. Someone elses shoes, Jojo Moyles. Will let you know what it is like welcome @WillowtreeHouse

Sending love and strength @WendyWagon. I am having a very tough few days myself. It will be alright soon. x

Oh wendywagon so sorry you've had a difficult few days. Panic attacks are not fun. Well done at getting through it without a trip to the corner shop. How are you feeling now?

Welcome and congratulations on 3 months willowtreehouse

rep22 sorry to hear you're also having a hard time.

It can be hard to face these difficult days without alcohol but I always think they would invariably go on much longer if I did drink to mask my feelings. And drinking only pushes them deeper. Going through vulnerable times sober seems to release the emotion eventually, even though it can feel harder at the time. I don't think i quite got how much drinking was a short term fix that made my troubles actually last a lot longer. I believed that I drank because I was anxious! Turns out I was anxious because I drank.

Sending a hug to @WendyWagon