No alcohol in 2024

[Noalcohol2024]

I gave up alcohol for an entire year 10 years ago and I am going to challenge myself to do it again in 2024. Anyone want to join me? I won’t lie I found it really hard. However, it did help me reset my habitual drinking. I feel ready to do it again. If anyone else feels a year off alcohol is something they want to do then join me on January 1st. I am going to take the next few days being honest with myself and reflecting on why I feel this challenge is something I need to do. Anyone who starts on January 1st with me can include their reasons in the introduction (if they wish to). I have a big birthday this year so I know it will be a challenge on that day as-well as Christmas and New Year 2024 but I am determined.

That's incredible so even after abstinence for a decade you could slip straight back ...

i honestly believe i have drink problem im a functioning alcoholic, have been for years tbh. One of the reasons i need to make this work .

Finally a decent nights sleep . Feeling very awake this morning .

@pavillion1 glad you have finally had a good nights sleep.

Enjoy the day well rested.

Also feeling rested (weirdly as my LO was up throughout the night!)

Feeling more positive today. Lots of work to do but going to try for a few late nights of working, with plans to take the kids to the zoo this weekend. Looking forward to a weekend hangover free. My plan is to get an activity ready the night before so that they come down to that instead of slobbing on the sofa. Also looking forward to a weekend bubble bath with face and hair mask. Trying to start new things to focus on and look forward to as Saturday nights used to be Prosecco nights!

@anythinginapinch This resonates with me too. It’s faulty wiring in our brains. It’s the same as not being able to just have one glass of wine and always having to finish the bottle. My parents were big drinkers as-well as all my friends parents we were all encouraged to drink from an early age. My friends and my siblings have the same issues around alcohol.

Think I’ll get my juicer out of the cupboard too thanks for reminding me @houseplanting .

Welcome @AuraBora .

Day 10 of No Alcohol 2024 we are nearly a third of the way through January and I have to admit time is going by so quickly.

This week is harder for me so far but I’ve upped my gym and exercise so I think the tiredness and aching joints is because of this. Still sleeping better. DH said my snoring is not as bad 😂. I offered to go in the guest bedroom but he said he would miss me. The joys of married life after 25 years.

@whereaw any day out with a hangover is torture! I remember those days.

Enjoy your activities with the kids sounds like you have it well organized.

@houseplanting regarding the juices the ones from Wagamamas are delicious I always get these when I am driving and having a meal think I will look up their recipes off to Tesco in a bit today so operation juicer it is this week for me.

Hello all, just checking in.
I am always reluctant to say it because I feel like it may come back to bite me on the arse, but so far I actually can't believe how easy this has been, compared to previous attempts.

Last time I managed 14 days and I had palpitations, hallucinations, paranoia, the lot. As a HCP who has worked with patients in withdrawal I knew these were bad signs and yet I crept back into the drinking habit.

I can't say I feel suddenly amazing from no alcohol but I definitely feel more focused and more clarity.

I'm listening to Allen Carr's quitting drink on audiobook while at work (15hrs free audiobook time with Spotify premium) and that's pretty good. It's telling me what I already know but hearing it is good to help keeping you going.

So 7 days for me.
I am ashamed to admit, but I will in this space, that it is the longest I have gone without alcohol, about two years!
Woke up feeling rested this morning despite waking a couple of times in the night but oh my goodness the weird dreams I’m still having 😂
How is everyone else?

So it’s Thursday and as I’m a weekend drinker my thoughts start to turn to what we are doing. Life just seems to consist of work and chores in the week so there is a bit of me that wants to kick loose at the weekend, almost like a bit of a rebellion against the constraints of my week. It feels like taking back something for me. It’s not though really, it’s making my life dull and if I drink to escape the corporate constraints of life during the week actually I am just letting it ruin my weekend as well. It won’t always feel like this and the longer I don’t drink the better and more different my life will become.

@Atacamadesert I totally get where you're coming from with that. Could you try and think of something else that's "for you" instead maybe? How about a bubble bath? Or a film? Or a yoga or exercise session? Even a trip to the hairdresser's or nail salon if you can afford it?
Try and think how much better your next morning will be when you wake up fresh

I just keep wondering how my life will be without alcohol being a driving force in it. I look forward to finding out. However, I am very part time and my children have left for Uni so I don’t have the same stress I did which I know is helping.

Over half way through week 2 tonight stay strong.

The fresh smoothies and juices are helping me. Off to Lidl now to see if they have any £1.50 boxes as Thursday is the day for them here.

Feeling very tired today! But I'm working late and my two year old is keeping me up every hour... brought her into bed in the end!

I've started following lots of accounts on instagram, there are tons who talk about sober living, their stories, inspiration, talks etc. I have a flick through every so often. I like instagram because you can very quickly change your feed and what you're seeing to suit what you need. So I would recommend to anyone who needs some quick inspiration - the visual/ personal aspect makes it very different to quit lit so might be better for some. Feels more like you're part of something than being lectured to.

Wishing everyone a good day

Is there anyone else who is experiencing really heavy sleep? I could barely get up for work today. Might be the time of year too but I'm wondering if there is a fatigue phase of going alcohol-free.

It's nice to see the positive effects being AF is having on my skin & eyes. I'm feeling much more productive in general each day. I have far more patience for people.

Like others, my dreams are crazy. Last night was the first time I've woken up with sweats throughout the night.

Weekends are my struggle, planning lots of outdoor stuff to keep busy and have some 0% alcohol at home as a buffer.

@rainbowbee I feel the same - I think I could sleep 10 hours at night and still benefit from an afternoon nap if it were possible! I think it's my body trying to recover, and I'm sure the dark mornings contribute too.

@rainbowbee yes, really heavy sleep here as well. I keep waking up with dead arms because of barely moving around in the night.

Checking in
Been ok so far but I have a week off work after tomorrow so really need to stay focused on why I want to quit and not listen to the voice that says that a night off ( or 7!!) won't hurt.
I feel irrationally grumpy and bored as well as super busy and tired
So many conflicting emotions which I know would be quietened for a while with a drink, smothered if you like
I need to be a grown up and get on with dull chores and reward myself in a non destructive way
I live by myself so a bubble bath/ watching a film of my choice/ finding quiet time isn't a reward as I can do this at any time although I appreciate when the family were at home it definitely would have been appealing
#feelinglikeagrumpyoldwoman

@Iamateadrinker what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies or interests?
You could do a Google of top places to visit near you - I did this recently and realised there are SO many places I've never even visited. Many of them free. Wandering around new places, taking a book or notebook, going for coffees. Charity shop finds, or places in the countryside (if I had a day to myself I think I would go fossil hunting as I live nearby but have only been with the children and spend the time running after them)!
Also when I have time I like to rearrange a room - makes tidying more 'fun' and makes things feel fresh and new. I really need to sort through my wardrobe which is a colossal mess.

Also I am very up and down emotionally right now!

I feel like I am in a battle. I want to win this battle and the only way the other side will win is if I pick up a glass of alcohol and drink it which, I know is ridiculous but that’s how I feel.

Aching and tired today too. This week is worse than last week.

I feel achey after the gym this week too and seem to have a cold. Def think wine is antibacterial as I never get ill! Lol still not tempted though, still focussed on the longer term benefits of abstaining. Just think...we will not have a single hangover for a whole year (or more!) Woohoo! Keep going ladies, we are doing a good thing here. 🙌🏼 The only way is ☝🏼😁

@Jeffsmeffsmiff yes you are right. I have made a little list of nice things to do and I think sometimes you have to have a boring evening but an interesting morning. Booze is such a quick and easy way to get the nice feelings (short term!) which is why it is so tempting when you are tired!

its Rubbish to feel like that , You'll probably sail through next week .