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.

Sorry- also an odd thing- I haven’t wanted to tell anyone about my decision. DH is tee total (he’s never, ever judged my drinking) and knows I’m doing Dry Jan, but somehow this decision and challenge sends really personally and I’m not ready to share. I don’t understand why really… maybe I’m scared of failing and my failure being judged? I guess the only expectation comes from me.

Morning all , Day 15 here too .. Definitely feeling better but sleep has gone abit haywire again but we had a stressful day yesterday so not unsurprising.

ive only ever got to Day 18 before so its good to be so close to beating that .
So many of the comments on here resonate with me , i really appreciate being part of this group.
Well done to everyone for making it this far , it's certainly not easy.

I’m checking in too. Week 3 is on the horizon. Only just woke up at 0830! Slept better last night no weird dreams. Heating came on at 3 am and I got too hot which woke me, other than that I would have slept through. This week I am going to read a book and look at my diet more feeling motivated to make some changes now.

@PissPotPourri. I too have only told my DH (he’s doing it with me) and my teenage son (who has never really drank alcohol but has decided to do it with us even though he’s in his first year of UNi!).

Regarding the lifts for teenagers I felt like this so I bought a breathalyzer to make sure I was legal to drive. My teenager was use to using Ubers but I always wanted him to know one of us would pick him up if he needed it. Like you I was a daily drinker over an extended time from nibbles before dinner and with dinner so I didn’t get hammered anymore however, I was still over the weekly points for safe consumption and I could tell it was affecting my health.

Checking in as well. Day 32 for me. I'm not missing alcohol at all which is great but I'm struggling a bit with my mental health. It's strange, no alcohol has helped the anxiety which is great but I seem to have very low mood in its place. The time of year probably isn't helping though. I absolutely hate January. Always have. So maybe it's related to that? I just feel like everything is getting on top of me and I'm drowning ☹️. But at least I'm not reaching for the booze to deal with it.

@Jeffsmeffsmiff sorry to hear you are feeling the way you are it’s testament to your resolve not reaching for a drink.

In all honesty a lot of the stress in my life lifted this year and I think this is helping me and I’m sure it’s easier.

When I gave up previously for a year it was during a time of immense stress and depression and I know now if I had turned to drink in this dark time in my life I wouldn’t have coped.

Is there anyone you can talk to IRL about how you are feeling? I found this helped me. We are all around to chat with if you need it too though.

Hi all,

Day 17 for me and I'm pretty sure I can see some improvements in my skin, which is great.....have lost a bit of weight (despite eating loads) and am starting to sleep a bit better, although still very tired....... I have some other health issues though so the tiredness probably isn't totally down to going alcohol free. Hopefully it will improve with time!

I haven't been massively tempted so far, beyond a few fleeting thoughts (especially when I see photos of people drinking) but nothing serious. I really hope that carries on.....

I am another who hasn't especially told people what I am doing (although my husband knows I am doing Dry Jan, that I have gone through phases of not drinking before and that I ideally would like to stop totally). I'm hoping to be able to truthfully tell people at the end of the month that I feel so much better without it! There is also a lot of cancer history in my family and I will be totally honest about wanting to reduce my cancer risk too.

Good luck to all this week!

Day 15 AF here too.

I continue to love the AF sleep. My mind feels sharper with less anxiety and a better sense of self.

I get @PissPotPourri 's observation about not substituting alcoholic drinks with non-alcholic versions of the same which might be considered a holding pattern until reverting to drinking alcohol again. I'm also not bothered by drinking non-alcoholic drinks from wine glasses etc. Horses for courses I guess.

Well done everyone. Week 3 here we come!

I get @PissPotPourri 's observation about not substituting alcoholic drinks with non-alcholic versions of the same which might be considered a holding pattern until reverting to drinking alcohol again. I'm also not bothered by drinking non-alcoholic drinks from wine glasses etc. Horses for courses I guess.

It's funny. I'm the opposite. I love an AF and I don't really feel.like it's "filling in" until I can have the real thing. I think it's sort of differentiating it as a "special" or "grown up" drink for me. I have a friend who hasn't drunk alcohol in years and will happily drink orange squash 😀(she's even been known to have milk) when we're out. I COULD NOT do that. But yeah each to their own 🙂

This is the first time I’ve not reached for the AF alternatives even though I am fully stocked. I have brought out my ninja and juicer and I’m enjoying making fresh fruit drinks like you get in Wagamamas and smoothies.

@Jeffsmeffsmiff I LOVE the idea of ordering a glass of milk in the pub 😆

Checking in for week 3! Still having strong cravings early evenings but an AF beer while I'm cooking helps and by the time I've eaten I don't think about alcohol.
Feeling much better overall, having very weird and very vivid dreams though.
Dh has stopped drinking with me even though he's always been able to take it or leave it so that helps.
Best wishes everyone!

Checking in day 15 here. Had a stressful morning, would've almost definitely got wine tonight and I'm missing it for the first time. Going to the gym tonight though so hopefully it'll pass. Roll on week 3! 🙂

Checking in, Day 17 for me. So far, it's been easier than I thought, the main problems for me have been boredom, and how humdrum everything feels. I'm aware things will change though! Well done everyone on the journey so far, half way through January now 👍 👍

Checking on day 20 here. Thank you for the thread OP and thanks to everyone who shares, I'm finding it all really helpful and I feel less alone!

Checking in also. The cravings were greatly diminished this week, Ive managed to negotiate the supermarket twice and wasn't tempted to put a bottle or two in my trolly.

Work/life is incredibly busy, whereas previously although I would be getting things done i was always exhausted and or continually hungover to some extent.

Much more focus this week, less preoccupation with what shops I’d pass on the way home.

Skin and body are still recovering. Takes an age to fall asleep but when I do it’s full deep proper sleep. No 5/6 getting up for a wee or drink and no 3am doom sessions.

Ive kitted out the fridge with health yoghurts and fruit, been meal prepping and actually eating the meals. On a good quality vitamin supplement too.

Last night I felt a bit flat and nothingy, hard to explain really.

unfortunately my skin is going to take a while although definitely less redness on my cheeks.

well done everyone let’s keep it going.

A little late but checking in. Day 14 done.

Week 3 No Alcohol 2024 Monday check in as follows;

@glindathegoodbitch
@loverrr
@VanLife33
@PissPotPourri
@pavillion1
@Jeffsmeffsmiff
@ThisIsASeaplane
@Hunsterbunster
@TeeNoG
@Xelda
@unbelievablescenes
@Theredfoxfliesatmidnight
@Limeandsober
@Bittercup
@Noalcohol2024

Half way through January! If I’ve missed your check in let me know 👍

i saw on the news today the first AF bar has opened up in Manchester. I think its a great idea and their drinks menu looks amazing .
Their is definitely changes happening regarding the uk and its alcohol obsession.

Sorry for being late - day 15 for me, feeling like the world is full of so much more hope and promise already! Well done to everyone

Please add me
I'm on day 16, had some bad news today ( health related to a loved one) and momentarily thought I " needed" to get some wine but I didn't....it is tempting though but if I do then I know there will always be sad/ bad/ stressful days and I can't rely on alcohol in those situations because IT DOES ME NO GOOD
Not shouting but am trying to drill it into my thick skull.

A late check in here! I'm still going strong but one of my other new year's resolutions was to read more and use my phone less so have been on here less, will try and make sure I'm checking in to keep me on track.

Hope you're all doing well and not struggling too much. Like a PP I think knowing this is longer than just January is helping that feeling of counting down the days because it feels so long away.

Checking in late. Still goo no strong if I don’t think too far ahead!

Updated list 😀

@glindathegoodbitch
@loverrr
@VanLife33
@PissPotPourri
@pavillion1
@Jeffsmeffsmiff
@ThisIsASeaplane
@Hunsterbunster
@TeeNoG
@Xelda
@unbelievablescenes
@Theredfoxfliesatmidnight
@Limeandsober
@Bittercup
@Noalcohol2024

@Atacamadesert
@BraveMaeve
@whereaw
@Iamateadrinker

Hi all,

Day 18!

I really relate to the comments earlier about children and breaking the cycle of addiction.... I really want to be a positive role model and don't want my kids to think that wine is an inevitable part of life or a weekly routine....and definitely don't want them thinking it is necessary to relax or deal with stress! I really hope that if they know that I have made the choice to stop, to stay stopped and that that has been a positive thing for me, it will be a great message for them to grow up with.

On the subject of alternative drinks, I love Erdinger AF beer (it doesn't make me crave a real one in the slightest....in fact, it helps me avoid cravings). I also like the Trip CBD drinks and have just discovered tart cherry juice (very expensive, but may help with natural melatonin levels and hence sleep apparently.....even if it is a placebo, I'm giving it a go!) I also love the sour taste and there is almost something red-wine like about the appearance in a glass and the bite it has.....so much healthier though!

Good luck to everyone this week :-)

Checking in at day 15. Still going well. I had a weird dream that I was drinking champagne though. Sleep still very heavy but it could be the dark mornings. A bit emotional but processing some ex stuff and I'm also coming into PMT. I have a few days off work and I'm planning to tidy out my wardrobe so that'll be distracting!