23.06.23 Day 1

[MammaGina]

Hi all, I have been looking for a thread to join but none seem to fit my circumstances.
I just did my first dry weekend in about 6 months. I need a reset, this much is true but I’m not sure how long for.
I just wanted a place to record my ups and downs without committing to anything. No pressure, no judgement.
What made me start this thread today was this morning I enjoyed a cooked breakfast without a hangover. It made me feel like I need a place to capture the benefits of not drinking. No worry about being sick. I enjoyed the meal.

Feel free to comment if you fancy joining me for a dry period or if you would like to share any benefits you are feeling of an alcohol free period.

Hi I'll join you, I've been drinking too often recently. I'm wide awake now though, which is normal when I abstain. I'm looking forward to getting my jobs done faster around the house today and hopefully have a declutter hangover free

Hi @TwoPairsOfPantsAndAMohairVest you are very welcome.
Yes! More productive. I am definitely better at doing jobs when I’m not thinking about or drinking alcohol.
Sleep is an interesting one. I am finding I’m going to bed quite late at the moment convincing myself I’m “having an evening” but then I’m also waking early. The result is I’m getting less sleep then I need.
This is something I’m going to address next week. This week I’m focusing on abstaining.
Tonight I’m meeting a friend and we normally share a bottle of white. I think I’ll take one of those fizzy elderflower drinks (or similar), so she knows from the get go I’m not drinking.
Tuesday night should be easy not to drink if I’m at home but add a friend into the mix and the temptation is there. This is one of the reasons I need a reset, I shouldn’t be drinking on a Tuesday evening!

Wishing you a productive day!

I like to call us alcohol aware! Your maki g an active choice during some periods/days not to drink and are learning to appreciate the benefits of those days. Lovely hangover free breakfast sounds gorgeous.
one of my favourite things is walking to the local shop really early on a Sunny hangover free morning and picking up some breakfast and orange juice and feeling the day ahead is full of promise

Hi @Simplepink and thank you for messaging!
Alcohol aware is a brilliant way of looking at it.
I went to my friends last night, she drank and I had the soft drink I bought. It wasn’t at all awkward and I had a lovely evening.
This morning I am grateful for not drinking as I had a good, solid sleep.

The only thing I am struggling with is thinking about alcohol a lot. I have a copy of alcohol explained so I might start reading that at the weekend.

The day ahead is full of promise.

I’m keeping hold of that today as well

I started off like you about 5 years ago, sick of the hangover and anxiety so just stopped for one day. Then another. Then another.

I remember the fresh feeling on a Sunday and thinking "this is fucking ace" and I never went back. I made a conscious decision to stop, but not forever (it will be, I hope!) and eventually just living a life without booze became my thing.

No one ever gave me any shit about it and I had loads of engagements in the weeks after my decisions (weddings etc). I just kept on thinking "maybe I'll have one later but for now, I'll stick with this non-alcoholic drink" and that got me through the "fuck it" phase!

If you're finding the going tough, I'd stay away from circumstances where you'd have hit it hard before, if you can. If you're struggling remember a craving passes, it's not like hunger, it doesn't grow. It goes.

Just one day at a time this shit.

Well done. Enjoy those fresh mornings! The sleep thing will settle.

Thanks for sharing your experience @SphincterSaysWhat, it’s refreshing to hear that it is possible!
I’m still dry but thinking about alcohol a lot. I guess that’s only natural as the weekend approaches and my usual routine changes. I now have a week under my belt and while it’s still too early to feel any big benefits, I’m pretty proud of myself!

I have a week under my belt. I should be ok tonight because I have to be up early in the morning and can talk myself into sticking to water. It’s tomorrow I feel worried about. I have a busy day and normally have some wine in the evening as a reward/way of relaxing. It might be the day to start reading alcohol explained. To remind me it’s not a reward and it doesn’t actually feel very relaxing afterwards!