Tulips, snowdrops and another Day 1!

[MamaGhina]

New thread as promised. I’ll pop on later to tag everyone as I wanted to get this link on the old thread before it fills up!

Link to the old one for any new joiners:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/4877066-its-day-1-anyone-else?page=40

I wish I had an artistic bone @Thepeppapigfanclub . I think being able to draw/paint would be amazing.

and well done on the 5k @Haggisfish3 it is just such a joy when it all works isn’t it?! (And bloody awful when it doesn’t!)

You don’t need to be able to draw or paint to enjoy it-just have a go! Enjoy the process. We are too obsessed with thinking we need to be good at stuff in this country!

@Haggisfish3 i agree about over stressing the need to be good at things rather than just doing them. I feel the same with exercise for me. I get consumed with fact I am 14 stone and can’t run 5k but I got from 15 stone to 14 stone by just walking a lot more so why can’t I see that as a positive and just keep going (which I am trying to do).

I do donate blood and agree it is a wonderful thing to be able to do - 1 hr and I genuinely know I have made a difference. I’m at 36 donations and determined to get to 50 in the next 7-10 yrs.

@Thepeppapigfanclub My New Year resolutions are all so tied up with alcohol - walk more, eat better, spend focused time with my 16yr old DD (when she’ll let me) - and they ALL are more doable when I’m not drinking.

Now I just need to keep reminding myself of that.
love and solidarity to you all

...........sidles in through the back door with existential dread hangover......

Hi ladies. Wishing you all a very happy new year indeed.
I'm starting Dry January today and feeling really ready for it. I was going to start yesterday but I hadn't put any of the xmas leftovers away and the temptation of the last bottle of prosecco was there. In fact, I reasoned with myself, I had better drink it and the half bottle of white that was open, so I won't be tempted during DJ.

Predicatably feeling crap today, first day back at work, existential dread hangover, yeay! Also feeling incredibly guilty over my xmas booze indulgence; I only had 3 dry days in the whole month and I will have packed away over 30 bottles of wine and probably a bottle of baileys. I am really worried I'll make myself ill.

Anyway, strapping in for Dry Jan and looking forward to it. Maybe I'll try 100 days too. I just know I cannot moderate. I should probably quit entirely.

Grateful to be here and see all your friendly faces (virtually). Really well done to achieving your 100 days and for those who have made positive changes. Here's to 2024, to all of us x

Best to look forwards @Steppered and not worry about what’s now done. Don’t envy the existential dread tho!

Does your detox start tomorrow @smegley? If so, wishing you well for it.

@TimesaChangeling 🤣 a group run sounds hilarious!! Maybe once I can do 5km… that might be some time.

Welcome back @Steppered. I have to admit I walked into a coffee shop today with the intention of getting a tea. They had mulled wine on sale at the till. I almost cracked and brought one. It was so tempting and right there when I wasn’t expecting it. Fortunately the words ‘tea please’ came out of my mouth.

As I walked away with my tea I was feeling pleased with myself but also a little sad. It shouldn’t even be a question at 12 o’clock on a Wednesday afternoon.

I have an appointment tomorrow to go through everything I need to know and to get my prescriptions to take to the pharmacy ahead of the detox starting on the 8th Jan.

I'm so worried and anxious.
I don't actually know how I'll cope:(

Oh my goodness @smegley I wish you so well with the appointment tomorrow. One minute, one hour and then one day at a time is the only way I could think about it. It will get easier. Keep believing that.

Hope it goes well tomorrow. Imagine how awful you’d feel if you weren’t getting help and taking these positive steps.

It's fantastic you are getting the right support Smegley. It could be any one of us. Wishing you well x

Hi all. How are you doing? How did you get on today @smegley?

I went out for dinner last night and had a lovely 0% Ruby Aperitif served with tonic and a slice of grapefruit. It was expensive but lovely and lasted me all of the meal. They served it an a lovely posh glass. Was very impressed. I think it might be this: https://wavelengthdrinks.myshopify.com/products/ruby-aperitif

I might ask for a bottle of it for my birthday.

too many ‘lovely’s in that post! Lol

Hello all,
My appointment today was daunting to say the least but I got my prescriptions and dropped them at the pharmacy.

I can pick up some tomorrow, some Tuesday and the rest Wednesday.

I met the other people on the detox and a few of the workers. Im nervous but optimistic!

Well done @smegley - that’s a huge hurdle you just leapt over! Not surprised you are feeling daunted but glad to hear you are feeling optimistic.

Well done @smegley -the first step is the hardest (sure there’s a song in that…🤣).

It was horrible at first, I was expecting a 1:1 appointment but it was a group session with partners to run through everything for next week.

I have to be dropped off and collected by my husband and ive had to sign a form to say I won't drive for the week and to abide by the rules.

I finish the detox 4pm Friday and then I'm expected in work at 9am Saturday for an 7 day stretch.
I know its awful of me but I'm going to try and get a gp appointment Friday afternoon for a note to sign me off for a few weeks.
I really need some time off:(

It isn’t awful of you at all.

God no, don’t feel awful. I guess you need to make sure you aren’t going to be bored and lonely and tempted in that time off though. That would be my problem!

really good to hear you are feeling optimistic, even if it is a bit nerve wracking it is a tremendously positive step you are taking.

And another Friday rolls in. How is everyone doing?

I’m reading a lot of the Dry Jan threads and there’s a really weird combination of “this is a bad idea, watching people talk about booze a lot is a tiny bit triggering” vs being completely damn thrilled that I am mostly (touch wood) past the intensity of the struggle of the day early days and remembering how far we have all come (or are going).

That said I’ve been cross enough today to wield a machete so it’s not all plain sailing and zen.

I struggled Weds and Thursday but managed not to drink. Oddly this evening I have managed to go to the pub for a friends birthday and kept to soft drinks without a problem. I think I find it easier to not drink when I have other people to chat to and distract me. I find the cravings for wine hardest when I have a night in and I think I need a drink to relax/accompany cooking etc.
So 5 days done. Onwards. Hope others are doing ok?

I had a major blip over Xmas and new year but hopped back on the wagon on Wednesday. Found it ok so far. Am
having a drink tomorrow but am surprised at how well I’m doing not drinking during the week. I know it’s still early days and im
blipping all over but my mindset has changed. I really feel positive that my drinking is getting less and less and that it’s feasible for me to stop altogether very soon.

@smegley with the very best of luck for next week and if you aren't emotionally or physically well enough for work then it is the right thing to do to be signed off. I hope you have an understanding employer and with my HR hat on please try to be as honest with them as you can and keep channels of communication open. Is there any additional counselling/therapy you can access through work? Are there any underlying conditions that might suppprt an Access to Work Assessment for the future?

Like you @Haggisfish3 I slipped off the wagon over Christmas, and then again on 1st and 2nd January. Still half opened bottles of wine hanging around after the festivities didn't help. I managed to keep it to no more than two smallish glasses per day though. It makes me realise what a slippery slope it is.

I think I'm in a place to have a glass of wine socially, maybe one or twice a month but never habitually at home. A glass or two also makes me crave carbs and/or sugar which I want to avoid as well.

The decorations are almost down and I'm off to the shops soon to take back DH's Christmas present - hopefully they will have an XL in stock or available to order!

I am back to work tomorrow and dreading it! I haven’t really had any cravings at all since before Christmas and I know that work stress will bring them rolling back in.

The moderation path is great if manageable but I think (for me at least) that it would introduce an enormous amount of bargaining and head discussion at which I would ultimately fail.

I think it’s probably time for Part 2 and turning this life into something a bit more fulfilling. Just wish it was spring already!