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.

Just checking in, I've had a good few days but tomorrow will be a bigger test as I definitely associate Friday nights with wine. Feeling really positive about this though, really glad I decided to give this a go and it's helpful for me thinking about it being a year rather than just January or forever, a happy medium!

I have some sort of detox sweats going on too. Woke up at 2.20am, convinced the house was burning down as I was burning up. Can't sleep now.

Today is a huge trigger day. Lots going on at work, stressful week getting kids back into a routine, I'm exhausted and all out if whack with my sleeping.

I need to get through tonight, and then Saturday. I've done this once or twice in the last year or so- but ended up 'rewarding' myself with a quiet Sunday afternoon glass for being so good. Of course one glass becomes a binge and I start the week feeling shit. I have a shit week and the excuses start as to why I need a drink to get over it.

Anyway... day 7 here.
Feeling like I'm self-sabotaging my motivation so that I have a bargaining chip.

I really want to be here on Monday with a massive "I did it!!'.

Morning. Reading everyone’s posts is keeping me motivated we are all doing so well.

I am feeling better however, my tiredness is increasing so I can only assume my body is repairing itself.

Long drive and hotel stay tonight as dropping my son back to his halls of residence. It will be a test tonight however, because I’ve set myself a year I have no bargaining power. In the past I may have said to myself I’ll have a drink tonight and do an extra day in February but I can’t do that as my challenge is alcohol free 2024!

Stay strong at the the weekend we can do this nearly week one done ✔️

One of my thoughts on going AF is the fact that if I continue drinking alcohol the way I have done all my life I know how the next 20 years in my life will look 👀 and it makes me feel depressed and stuck in a rut. However, if I change my alcohol dependence who knows what the next 20 years of my life will look like? This is exciting to me and being AF is making me excited about my future which, at 50 next year is a new era for me to embrace change.

Morning all! Just checking on on day 7..... and a Friday! I won't drink, but I know this evening will be my first real "challenge" because Friday drinking is such a routine for me (doesn't sound like I am alone with the whole habit/conditioned response thing!)

I have also been eating absolutely loads but will work on that in a another week or so..... somehow I have still lost some weight so far, but definitely need to lose more! I feel at the moment though that if food is a helpful distraction from drinking then so be it..... in these initial stages at least, while my body, blood sugar etc. is presumably still adapting....

I am SO TIRED! Didn't sleep at all well the first few days, which I know is normal (I don't drink daily typically but drank much more frequently over Christmas, and am definitely feeling the effects of that). The past two nights I have slept better but am still just shattered. Hopefully this will also improve soon!

I am another one who is also very much looking forward to decluttering my house and trying to get on top of the cleaning at last!

I have some nice kombucha for tonight and will plan a walk and an early night. Strength to all.... think about how great we will feel waking up sober tomorrow!

I really like this! I will try to remember it :-)

Is it too late to join?

@Cuppa123 of course you're not too late. Come on in 😁

Well done to everyone for getting this far!
I first joined this group after an awful Christmas where my OHs drinking was out of control. I've since reflected on my own drinking because I've realised I only have control over me and my life and I want to make myself and my life the best I can - I'm not a person of excess and don't have the same 'addictive personality' as him, but I've realised that I do drink to numb a pain, or to feel relaxed etc and that actually I too would be far better without it in my life. I hate the grogginess the next day too.
I hated watching him lose control and think how frightening that is for children - even if you're happy and it's just a little change in your personality, clumsiness etc. My parents rarely drunk and I am very grateful for that.
So I have also decided to remove it from my life for good and my boundary is that he must do the same, I don't want it around my children any more.
Im excited for what will fill its place, and being free from the feeling that tonight I'll 'have a drink' which is really such a mindless and pointless activity. I've bought a few books, including Love Your Sober Year: A Seasonal Guide to Alcohol-Free Living and I'm hoping that doing more things like writing (I have memory books for both children) reading and researching, art, making picture books, getting out more and exploring the beautiful English countryside will fill my time. And bubble baths!
I work a lot, usually until 10pm most nights so I will try to cut back and do things that I enjoy.
So far I've not had any cravings for alcohol, but I think that's to be expected with some of what happened over Christmas. Hoping it continues but think that if it doesn't this group and support would be very helpful.
Planning a face mask, bubble bath and Good rays drink as my treat this weekend, and will take the kids to the beach. I grew up 12 hours from the sea so it always makes me happy!

@Noalcohol2024 I love that comment about your life in 20 years with and without alcohol! That totally struck a chord with me. Alcohol makes my life samey and repetitive and boring and when I’m not drinking my life seems to kaleidoscope outwards.

Well done so far everyone!

Another Friday night reveler here. What have you all got to substitute for the vino? I've got.....👌🏼😁

I did so much this morning, starting with an 0630 gym class. I crashed and burned on the sofa for an hour mid afternoon, really tired but feeling excited for the year and confident so far! Could murder a wine cause it's Friday, but def won't do it and can't wait to see how I feel on Monday.

What have you all got to substitute for the vino? I've got.....👌🏼😁

Ive gone for some fizzy water and elderflower cordial with some fresh mint . Im home and in pjs so i def wont be doing a wine run tonight . I dont want tomorrows feeling of failure so im happy enough . I really do think now i've decided to try and do the year its making getting through a month feel easy.
ive got a friend who did the 1 Year no beer challenge and she hasn't looked back since .
Good luck to you all tonight .

I've got some Brooklyn Special Effects beer in for tonight. One is usually enough but I enjoy the taste.

Starting to feel really good, and took my son to a water park today - we both did all the slides and we both thoroughly enjoyed it ☺️

I'm nervous for this weekend being AF. My first one in 2years. Longest has been 3months AF in 2021 when I broke my leg. We have a boozy lunch most Saturdays and we are due to lunch tomorrow and it's going to be a real test and I think DP will most likely have a drink. But it is what it is and I need to get a grip of my health.

@Littletinytarzanswingingfromanosehair what I've found helpful in the past when going out, is to decide what I'm having to drink BEFORE I arrive. Have a look at the drinks menu online and see what is available and choose - it saves any issues at the point they ask you what you want to order. I've always found that once I've got my first alcohol free drink in front of me, I don't care so much about the lack of alcohol.

Love the Ribena @unbelievablescenes 😁. I'm on the alcohol free red wine tonight. DH is out with mates (at a ping pong and crazy golf place!!!) So I'm home alone with the kids. Going to read a book and sip my guilt free wine in peace once I've got them to bed

Oh and good luck everyone. I know some are worried about Friday night being tricky. Hang in there. You'll be so pleased you did in the morning

Hello, hope I’m not too late to join. I’ve started with dry January, but have thought that extending it to a dry 2024 might not be a bad idea. I’m menopausal and get awful hangxiety, plus the groggy feeling the next day. I’ve never been a big drinker, maybe a bottle of wine over the weekend and a baileys or mulled wine, but it’s got so the side effects are just not worth the drink.

Tonight is the first time I’ve really fancied a drink with it being Friday. Not today though, I’ve got some fizzy water and herbal tea for later.

Also love the Ribena! :-D

I've got a selection of AF drinks in, including kombucha, tonic water and Guinness 0.0, but haven't actually fancied anything yet (and not actually craving wine either thankfully!) I'm sure there will be much harder days ahead, but so far, the first Friday (and day 7 for me) has been.....surprisingly ok! Just hope it continues....hope everyone else is ok and coping with Friday evening!

I was worried about the Friday night feeling too, especially with it being the first week back at work and no plans for the night. However it's ok! I have a nice dinner in the oven and some elderflower cordial in a wine glass. Planning a skin treatment and early night with a book afterwards. Have an early gym class tomorrow. Powering on!

Well I’ve got through Friday night - we went out for a meal and had a moretti zero and lots of sparkling water. Think I preferred the water rather than a fake beer! Did struggle with wanting a glass of wine after a busy week but have made it through! Helped a lot that my husband was doing the same.

Exercise, homemade burgers, lime
and soda and a film! Fine really. Once I’ve eaten it just flicks a switch and I’m not bothered any more. Wierd.

I also got through the first friday, I was really craving a glass of wine!
In bed now, glad I got past it & didnt cave!

Im the exact same .

Oh I love elderflower cordial and had forgotten all about it! Will definitely get some ASAP.

Just heading to bed, sober and happy! :-)