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.

Yes! I'm on the tart cherry juice too, completely agree. It is eye wateringly expensive though isn't it! 😂

@DJer24 It is shockingly expensive! It will certainly eat into my money savings from wine, but I figure if it helps me to stay off it (and possibly to sleep a bit better) it is worth it...... definitely a lot of money for some juice though l, however much I like the taste 😭

I'm still here!

Can I join your merry gang? I've been reading this thread since I started Dry January and am now inspired to continue for the year. My two main reasons are: 1. I'm going to become a grandma in July and I would hate to think that my daughter wouldn't trust me to look after my precious grandchild (she knows I'm a problem drinker) 2. I like the idea that I won't be bargaining/debating with myself whether to drink or not. It'll be a clear, unequivocal NO!!

@Tulips63 welcome and your reasons for continuing after dry January are so heartfelt thanks for sharing them with us. It’s not easy looking at ourselves through non problem drinkers eyes I know as my own son hardly drinks alcohol.

We check in every Monday and chat whenever you feel the need.

You’ve made it over half way through January which is a feat in itself.

Week 3 No Alcohol 2024 updated list

@glindathegoodbitch
@loverrr
@VanLife33
@PissPotPourri
@pavillion1
@Jeffsmeffsmiff
@ThisIsASeaplane
@Hunsterbunster
@TeeNoG
@Xelda
@unbelievablescenes
@Theredfoxfliesatmidnight
@Limeandsober
@Bittercup
@Noalcohol2024
@Atacamadesert
@BraveMaeve
@whereaw
@Iamateadrinker
@rainbowbee
@DJer24
@hashbrownsandwich
@Tulips63

Day 15, sleeping much better, love waking up refreshed and ready to roll.
skin is looking clearer and I feel more energetic.
I want to start going for walks but it is too cold 🥶.
wish I weighed myself as trousers feel is little looser.
but my testing point is Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday night.
well done everyone, tomorrow is hump day, just over half the week.
we do this.

I’ve been a bit more emotional. Thinking about some stuff from the past and feeling a bit weepy. I guess when you are high in booze or battling a hangover or just feeling a bit tired these feelings are kept at bay. Or it could just be peri-menopause. Who knows 😂. Yesterday and today are the first days I felt good in any way. I had some energy and for once my back/hips/knees aren’t aching and I don’t feel l worse than i did before!

I'm a bit down this week too. I used alcohol to numb a really bad break up and I think because his birthday is coming up and a big life event, I'm really feeling it again 6 months later 😔 Also going through a shit time trying to get divorced and go through police proceedings with my abusive ex. The peril of using alcohol to cope, you have to pay the piper some time! But not too worried, will keep plugging on 🙂

@unbelievablescenes to keep plugging on is all we can do it is hard especially with what you are facing. I have no words of wisdom as I too always turned to alcohol to help me through. Sounds like you are starting a new chapter in your life and redefining your relationship with alcohol could be a positive focus to help you through it.

Hi all, late check in. Apologies. I am on week 3, also. Feeling good. No cravings this week but some fomo thoughts while thinking of occasions I will have this year. When I sit with it for a while I come back to being content in my decision to avoid alcohol. It’s just tough having those ah you can drink, it’ll be fine moments! I have had nothing on the last few weekends so that has helped. Upcoming occasions will be a big challenge for me. I am invited to a wedding in March (first of several this year) and I am thinking of giving it a miss. I would usually be all in for friends weddings and excited to go but things have changed. Well done everybody.

@Jeffsmeffsmiff sorry to hear your struggling with low mood. I found December and some days this month a bit tough too. December was so dark and wet so getting out for air and exercise was difficult. Would you do some writing before bed? Dump it all in the page and close it up. This has helped me in the past. The days are getting ever so slightly brighter too so getting out everyday might help.

@unbelievablescenes sounds like you’ve had some major events happening. Sorry to hear that. Would you get some counselling to unpack some of the things you were perhaps drinking on? I found counselling has helped me immensely throughout difficult patches in my life.

Just a thought, for those struggling with major life events (might be way off, don’t know, but might help!)… was just thinking that there is so much out of our control, be it past relationships, January weather, family issues etc, but our abstinence from alcohol is something we can control, or at least try to. We can influence whether we drink alcohol or not. We’ve got this!

Hi all.
Week 3 check in for me too please!
Have found the last couple of days quite hard but determined to keep going and super inspired by everyone on here..it really helps..

@Jeffsmeffsmiff absolutely get what you mean about less anxiety but low mood.. its the same for me. I feel much better overall in the earlier part of the day but come the afternoon I feel quite flat and bit down. But like I said before I have had a lingering cough/cold as has the rest of my family and I think that has made me feel a bit run down.

Hoping for a good Wedneday and more sunshine for a nice walk at some point.

I'm struggling here.
6th night of less than 2 hours sleep. My brain is in overdrive with muddled thoughts and anxiety.
I have been lying awake for the past 4 hours contemplating calling in sick so that I can get monumentally pissed, stop all the thinking and just sleep (pass out).
That's bad isn't it.
I have a chest infection brewing and I'm feeling crap. I'm hormonal, exhausted and just want to switch off. I definitely miss switching off.
I'm so tired.

@glindathegoodbitch please don't do that. You'll just feel worse afterwards. I think maybe you should call in sick anyway and try and get some sleep / read a book / go for a walk?
Have you looked at supplements to help you sleep? Maybe magnesium or melatonin?

Really sorry to hear this How about trying an over the counter sleeping pill from the pharmacy? I had to get some at the end of week one as i wasn't sleeping. Im a huge believer in sleep breeds sleep 😴

@glindathegoodbitch I second an over
the counter sleeping pill. They don’t work if I take them too often but once or twice a week if I’m really tired. Being tired is awful and really affects my resilience and ability to cope to the point that if I know I’ve been sleeping badly I’m especially nice to myself, I don’t expect too much of myself and I definitely don’t make any big decisions

@glindathegoodbitch I'm sorry to hear you're struggling. It's not bad it's understandable - sleep deprivation is torture and your brain is screaming for you to do the one thing that has worked' in the past.
Except it hasn't really worked, which you know.
I have had periods of extreme insomnia/ almost mental breakdown and I did speak to the doctor and get signed off at the time. For me it resulted in moving out of London and back to my parents after a series of life events.

Is there something bigger in your life that is causing the anxiety, or is it just an overwhelming feeling that you don't know the cause?

Please be kind to yourself and I agree that perhaps taking the day off and speaking to the doctors is wise. When you call be clear that you are at breaking point and make sure they speak to you today. You have to be firm about that.

How do you feel in the light of day?

Keep talking here, we all want to help you get through this.

Thanks for all the support guys, it's good when people understand where you're coming from, it's not really something we can fully talk about IRL as it's rooted in such personal issues.

@glindathegoodbitch please hang in there! It sounds like you've maybe been self-medicating an underlying issue with booze, would a chat with the gp help? Possibly some counselling or medication to help with these problems will alleviate the symptoms and bypass the need for a drink? We're all here with you, trying to navigate better ways of living life well, hang in there and take that day off to rest x

@glindathegoodbitch it is shit with no sleep literally torture.

I’ve been looking at those CBD drinks someone recommended previously Trip drinks. They have them on Amazon too.

One day at a time . You’ve made it so much further than many who start Dry January. When the urge gets hold coupled with sleep deprivation it’s is so hard to work or do anything. I have been through sleep deprivation before and I used St John’s Wart and herbal sleeping pills.

No matter what we will all be here to help you whatever you decide just know this group’s ethos is not about a perfect record and if anyone falls off the wagon if they return ready to commit to the rest of the year AF then that’s enough.

I know you feel like alcohol is the answer to your current predicament but we all started this journey knowing that this has proved to be false for us all.

x

@Noalcohol2024 I've not had the Trip ones but the Goodrays ones are lovely! You can get a mixed case on Amazon.

Actually looks like the 12 pack I got (£18) is temporarily out of stock. They do sell in Tesco and Waitrose too, I'd really recommend them. They do seem to relax you a little.

@whereaw I am due a Waitrose trip to get my free cappuccino I’ll look at the Goodrays drinks when I go. Thanks.