Imagine there’s tons of these… sober October support thread

[Poopertrooper]

Staring tomorrow. Successfully did sober October last year and drank on November 1st and have done almost every day since.

Determined to make this my starting point again - anyone want to join here for mutual support?

Also any recommendations for podcasts to listen to for starting short bursts sober journeys welcome

I’m in, thankfully Covid has affected my taste buds in a way that makes wine tastes vile, I’ve just poured a glass down the sink so I’m off to a good start.
Also on-call next week so can’t drink.

Great start @SauvignonBlanche - ashamed to say I have had Covid all week and only 2 of the days I didn’t drink 😑 but fully determined to crack on from tomorrow

I’d like to join please.
Ive done 4 weeks already and aiming to keep going until at least the start of December, maybe longer. In my heart I know it needs to be forever but I’m not quite ready to say that yet.

Ive actually really enjoyed my sober September but have been finding it’s getting harder rather than easier. Staring to get a little voice telling me I’ve proved my point now, might as well have a glass as it’s not that bigger a problem. So far im managing to shut the voice up but it’s getting louder so could do with a bit of extra camaraderie.

So hard @Bathtimebubble - I think that’s why I ‘gave in’ November 1st last year as it was like a prize for all my ‘hard work’. Listening to audiobooks while cooking (cooking seems to be a trigger as it helps me relax) seems like it’s helping to an extent - certainly on the days I don’t drink.

Definitely @Poopertrooper cooking and being hungry are huge triggers for me. I’ve been taking my def off at around 6pm ish to do yoga with Adriene, it’s a really crappy time to not be around as the kids are very demanding then but it’s such a trigger time and my partner’s so pleased im not drinking he’s very happy to take on bath time etc.

@Bathtimebubble that’s 100% the same with me! Two kids both burnt out and overstimulated from a busy day, hungry demanding and needing all of me. Even the thought of it now while they sleep is triggering 😅 I’m thinking of getting some of those trip cbd drinks as they’re tasty and definitely calming

My aim is to last until November.
Didn't stop me talking advantage of Sainsbury’s 25% off for 6 bottles this morning. 🙄
I’m a master of self sabotage so being on call is absolute gift - even though I hate it usually.

It’s good to have an aim of November as it’s achievable. I know I’d love to stop drinking altogether but giving myself longer than a month as starting point is unrealistic. We can do this 💪🏻

Joining 😁

Oh yes please, I need to stop at least for a while. I have got into a terrible habit of picking up a bottle of wine most evenings....it has grown from an occasional 'treat' to a regular event. A sober October would really help to break this habit.

I'll join. I'm on another, very supportive long running thread on here, but I need all the help I can get.
Today, the 1st is actually a tricky start as dh and I are going out for Sunday lunch. I'm determined to have a soft drink as we're going food shopping after and that's when I'd pick up wine, if I drink at lunch.
Also, Saturday I'm having an Open Day at my house, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
One day at a time and thanks @Poopertrooper for starting the thread.
We can do it. 💪

Hello 👋🏻 just realised it’s October and I had a dry Saturday yesterday due to a hangover from Friday night. Just thought I might capitalise on that inadvertent start as Sunday morning feels so much better than yesterday morning.
Ive done Dry Jan a few times and it has meant for the last few years I don’t drink Mon-Thurs but this last month has been a tad stressful and I’ve slipped into a few after work drinks. Want to get back to dry weekdays and less at weekends.

I would love to join too! I don’t know if it’s because of menopause or not but I really can’t drink wine or gin anymore without feeling dreadful the next day. So a sober October will really help me.

Hi @millypeggyandpandora I’m 52 and menopausal too. Drinking makes my night sweats worse and weight gain on tummy area that I’ve never had( normally my backside) so I’m hoping the cals saved might help that too. @SauvignonBlanche I had Covid in May and wine is fine but lager tastes off to me since. I’m pretty sure I had dulled taste since so I’m hoping going booze free will help some tastebuds recover quicker. Who knows!

I had forgotten this existed: just the boost I need having had a drink almost every day in august and September for lots of lovely sociable reasons. I don’t drink too much but it’s definitely too often. I love the mornings when I wake up fresh and clear headed because I didn’t have a glass of wine the night before. Thank you OP!

I'm quite excited for this.

Had a lovely day yesterday with an old friend. Had lots of wine 😬, so a bit of a last hurrah. Really could use the break now. Interested to see what happens in terms of my energy levels and big fat tummy levels.

I am getting so much done this morning despite Mumsnetting. Slept sooo well with no hormone sweats either.

Morning!

I am 9 months sober- still lounging in bed with a cuppa so can't say my energy levels are great this weekend. But feel about 10yrs younger after giving up. Feel calmer and more able to deal with stress. Lost weight, skin and sleep loads better, loads more time on my hands and generally just free and happier.

Thought I'd recommend some podcasts with insta accounts if you're looking for any. Although these are stories of problem drinkers who have given up drinking rather than anyone just cutting down.

SoberDave - (one for the road)
Over the Influence (OTI community)
Sassysobermum (soberstories )
Walking the straight line (The sober effect)

Hi there thank you for directing me over here @43ontherocksporfavor .
I've literally drank every day this year bar a couple of days when I made a half hearted attempt to give up mid week drinking 😔.
Have gained weight as along with drinking I end up eating all the chocolate alongside it, so hoping I will lose this and also have a reset.
Having done dry Jan in the past I always find having the support on here really helps, even just that checking in each night helps to stay on track.
Would love to get back in to the habit of not drinking in the week, and also having dry weekends, so just drinking when socializing and not just sat in my pj's on a Tuesday night!!

@PeacheyPeach it's a slippery slope isn't it.
I was drinking every day, say, about 5 years ago, but over the past few years, I've cut down massively. Weekends are not too bad, but it depends of course. I struggle through the week but I've just started 2 new jobs, and I didn't drink last week - I actually had a really good week too - slept well, exercised, more energy, happier. Drank Friday just because 😩
It's a habit really ( although a challenging one because of the addiction aspect).
And yes, to support on here. It's phenomenal.
We can do it 💪

Hi all

I'll join please. Been planning on doing this Sober October and hoped there would be a thread to join. Today started well- was motivated to do some exercise and a bit of cleaning, even though I drank quite a bit last night. I feel really positive, even though I can't even remember when i had a sober period of more than three weeks (maybe 6 or 7 years, shockingly!). I'm 40 in a few months and I want to get a handle on my drinking, lose weight and generally look and feel better. Oh and have more money because I've been spending A LOT on booze.

What are other people's motivations?

Good luck to you all. X

@Accidentaladult hi and welcome. My motivations are similar to yours ( I'm not one for regrets but I wish I'd have changed my drinking habits when I was 40. I'm 56 now. I'd be so much better off, physically, emotionally, financially).

When I'm not drinking, the list of positives is endless ; I sleep better, my anxiety is better managed, I get more done, my skin is clearer, I'm actually happier. I lose weight and my bank balance is healthier.
And....I only smoke when I'm drinking ( Friday night I had about 5). So, that's a no brainer.

Yes ladies we can do this 😀, actually looking forward to having the extra money at the end of the week as well 😉

I'm in - done a few sober Octobers before but always drunk on 1st November which says a lot. I'm feeling motivated right now. I'd love a longer break this time but let's not get ahead of myself...

I’m feeling pleased with myself after a dry Saturday night( hungover from Friday) then today we went for a wander around a favourite little market town with our dog. We always stop and sit outside the pub for one .I haven’t said anything to DH about Stoptober and didn’t want to spoil his enjoyment so just said I’d have a 0% beer. It was actually lovely and I didn’t miss the alcohol. Might get some for the weekends as I’m not a fan of soft drinks.Can’t remember the last time I didn’t drink on a Saturday then Sunday!