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No alcohol in 2024

648 replies

Noalcohol2024 · 27/12/2023 21:17

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.

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ThisIsASeaplane · 27/01/2024 08:12

@user1470467561 I did the One Year No Beer 90 day challenge a few years ago! I enjoyed the daily emails and access to the private group (not sure whether this is still the same as what is on offer as it wasn't all that recent....)

I did stay sober for the 90 days, and fairly easily too, but unfortunately had no real plan for afterwards and was very unsure in my own mind about what I really wanted long-term....I didn't want to pay more money to sign up to the full one year programme, but unfortunately without the structure it provided, and feeling on some level like I had "finished" by achieving 90 days, I drank the very next day! I really hadn't intended too and it took me very much by surprise at the time.

I found it helpful at the time (to get to 90 days) but this time am doing just as well without, and will hopefully avoid any "that's it, alive done it...I will drink now!" end date issues.....

Still a bit wary of the end of Jan being a trigger point but am genuinely doing very well so far....day 29!

Atacamadesert · 27/01/2024 20:33

Night in last night then a long hike today. We are staying away in a hotel. Normally we would have booked dinner 8 and gone and had a few too many before hand. But we had dinner at 6.30 because who wants to eat at 8 if you aren’t drinking 😂. It’s 8.30 and we are back in the hotel drinking tea with pjs on ready for another long hike tommorow. Totally wild!

Luckingfovely · 27/01/2024 21:39

@Atacamadesert it sounds heavenly! And I bet you'll actually feel rested and rejuvenated after the weekend Smile

MyopicBunny · 27/01/2024 21:46

Everything going ok, here - no alcohol since the beginning of January. I'm feeling and looking much better.

Kashybear · 28/01/2024 08:29

AF now for 28 days, but today I have woken up with fuzzy head again. I had a good 8 hr solid sleep with a vivid dream.
It is not a headache but feels need to take some paracetamol.
weird because in the weekdays I Wake up with a clear head.
hmm ….. could be too much sleep as it only happens at the weekend when I am not setting the alarm to wake me.
well 29th tomorrow, we have all done so well 👏🏼❤️

glindathegoodbitch · 28/01/2024 19:45

@Kashybear I often have the same thing at weekends! I think its the same as when you get ill when you have a holiday from work. I think my body is just knackered from years of burning the candle at both ends (and the middle and using it as a flamethrower). I just crash out at weekendsand often wake up feeling 'hungover'. I used to keep going with fake booze energy and sugar and then crap food.
Take it as a sign that you're body is in recovery and it's telling you to rest xx

glindathegoodbitch · 28/01/2024 19:48

I'm loving reading that people are filling their weekends with great things. Herbal teas and hikes, just lovely 🥰

glindathegoodbitch · 29/01/2024 05:59

Checking in 😁

Jeffsmeffsmiff · 29/01/2024 06:07

Checking in too. 45 days today.
@PissPotPourri thanks for asking about me. I'm feeling a bit better at the moment 🙂.
Nearly at the end of January everyone. Well done.

wannabedry · 29/01/2024 06:36

Hello @Jeffsmeffsmiff glad you are still doing well.

I had a less wholesome weekend of seeing a friend for a coffee, catching up with Traitors and then housework yesterday. It's so nice waking up fresh every day though. I don't feel the urge to drink doing normal stuff at home.

My first foray into an 'in the wild' drinking opportunity is this week - a colleague's leaving do. I also navigated the work Christmas party Sober, so if I can do this then it's another box ticked. I think for me, I need to know I can go out with friends, family or colleagues in the evening, not have a drink and know I'm still going to have a good time.

I have a plan - I'm just going to order soda and lime and make sure that is topped up and in my hand at all times. I don't want to bring up me being sober.

unbelievablescenes · 29/01/2024 08:35

Check in! 😁

Is it STILL fecking January?? 😂

Well ladies, if we can do one month, we can do 12, well done, proud of us all! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I had a lovely early walk again yesterday, a sober party on Saturday, everyone was wrecked when I arrived and I just thought thank god I won't be feeling like all of you tomorrow! Packing so much more into weekends, including actual rest instead of lying like a burst couch hungover 😇

We are doing such a good thing ladies, I'm looking forward to the rest of the year!

Noalcohol2024 · 29/01/2024 09:28

Check in for me.

Horrendous weekend with the worst period pain. Never had this bad before but I can’t see how not drinking alcohol can be related?

Just sent off an e consult hopefully will prescribe some painkillers as over the counter ones have not touched it.

So pleased I’m not drinking alcohol. Nearly done Dry January however, at the moment drinking alcohol is the last thing on my mind!

OP posts:
whereaw · 29/01/2024 10:15

Checking in day 29.
My aims for this week are to finish the current assignment I'm working on and (hopefully) have a week to concentrate on other things I need to do. I want to make the gym or a run 3 but ideally 4 times as I think I need some exercise and endorphins.

PissPotPourri · 29/01/2024 11:01

Checking in… one foot in front of the other… a few hurdles coming my way

Limeandsober · 29/01/2024 11:37

Checking in - still going!

well last week was a million miles an hour with work, deadlines and work coming out of my ears.

I met some resistance from well meaning friends who brought out a bottle of red and wanted me to join them in a glass. I seemed to need to reiterate I was ‘fine thank you’ followed by looks of dismay. they did the ‘go on just a small one’, lovely as they are it really pissed me off. I wouldnt have to say no twice and explain the reasons to a hit of heroin would I ..

Tesco sent me a book of vouchers - I opened to find that they were all for gin. Not even gin I like and no other alternative vouchers - thank you Tescos, they are now ok the recycling.

I have become a bit insular which I’m aware of. Part of all of this encompasses other things such as saying no more often.

Rather too keen previously to be a yes person and wore myself thin, finding solace in wine and then more wine because I was drained, frazzled and not putting any healthy boundaries in place.

weekend was a bit meh.. washed and laundered everything, felt a bit bored and a bit moody.

thinking of all the lovely repair work going on in my body, the cleansing the healing and the healthy goings on rather than the constant state of emergency.

was pissed off I woke up at normal alarm time yesterday. I’d been having lovely lay ins at the weekends but think that was restorative and catch up sleep. Body and brain felt it had had enough sleep thank you. That gave me extra hours to fill and work with.

Had to give myself a kick last night watching rich holiday poor holiday while a couple enjoyed a wine tasting sesh.. ‘why can’t you do that, sip it enjoy it and then leave it?’ Because I can’t so wouldn’t have gone in the first place!

keep going everyone. Lambs in the field here which reminded me I’ve been sober their whole lives 😌.

Gio1 · 29/01/2024 12:04

Hi everyone,
Checking in for week 5 and day 29 sober. Getting out walking 5/6km everyday. Hoping to get back to running and/or gyming when able. February should be smooth enough alcohol wise but lots going on with other life things. March onwards- there will be hurdles so that is going to be tough. Big alcohol hurdles! It will be a busy year for me so keeping a clear head will be key to achieving my goals. Well done to everyone. We are doing very well!

DJer24 · 29/01/2024 12:13

Checking in too. Can't say I feel at all refreshed as I have a stinking cold, but this is me too:

'thinking of all the lovely repair work going on in my body, the cleansing the healing and the healthy goings on rather than the constant state of emergency.'

I know it's still all going on in there, I can see it in my face and body, so I'm looking forward to feeling some more benefit when all the winter bugs do one.

Sorry about your painful period @Noalcohol2024 it might be unrelated but it does seem like there are hormonal shifts with being AF. Hopefully a one-off.

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 29/01/2024 13:26

Checking in, day 31 AF today which I the longest I've ever gone since my teens.

A rocky week as my father passed away. He wasn't a very good or very present father but a shock nonetheless. Strangely it didn't occur to me to have a drink and still hasn't.

Well done everyone for keeping on keeping on! Nice to hear about the positive changes everyone is experiencing. I love being able to say I haven't drunk alcohol since last year.

ThisIsASeaplane · 29/01/2024 14:28

Checking in quickly! Day 31!

Jeffsmeffsmiff · 29/01/2024 15:16

@Theredfoxfliesatmidnight sorry for your loss x

Xelda · 29/01/2024 16:17

@Theredfoxfliesatmidnight
Sorry for your loss Flowers

Xelda · 29/01/2024 16:18

Checking in for another week, best wishes everyone!

MokaEfti · 29/01/2024 18:21

I'm doing well, still spotty but I think it's clearing up...
I need to put a lid on the biscuit tin though! Any tips for not replacing alcohol with sweet treats? I have such a sweet tooth that I'm thinking I should also go sugar free, but that might be too much what with being AF. I am a sort of all or nothing person however, so perhaps I should bite the bullet.

Gio1 · 29/01/2024 19:12

@Theredfoxfliesatmidnight I’m sorry for your loss. Look after yourself.

Gio1 · 29/01/2024 19:17

Drinking lots of water can help with cravings. Also, eating fruit can stabilize the blood sugars and help curb the bad sugar intake. Currently trying to exercise the same advice! @MokaEfti I definitely find the days I’m not as disciplined with my water intake I’m looking for chocolate in abundance!