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.

Well done everyone, first Friday done! I had a very slight wobble this evening when DH opened the wine but it went away quickly and I feel good now that I will sleep well tonight and feel fresh tomorrow.

I'm not a hungover mess.
I actually want to cry with joy.

Keep going everyone ❤

Good morning! Trying again for the countless time / on day six and feeling fabulous. I use an app to to help called I am sober. Early gym then long walk.

Warm wishes to everyone - support is invaluable

Hope everyone is feeling fresh and fabulous this morning. 😁

Just checking in. Had a rubbish day on shift yesterday, by 7pm I was absolutely raging as I got through the last hour. I think I might actually have been rude to a few people. I am thinking the withdrawal is kicking in, which medically day 5/6 would be about right.

I cheated a bit and took a sleeping pill last night so woke up feel somewhat rested to a sunshiney day. Hopped out of bed went into my little town and did my shop then up to the woods for a walk. I find motivation to do anything really hard. Even if I’m not feeling mortally hungover alcohol Often just tips the scales in favour of continuing to fester in bed. I’m starting to realise how it makes my life boring and shit in lots of small ways.

I'm so disappointed 😞 they've taken all the sugar out of Ribena and it's stinking!! 😂 I settled for a nice cup of tea instead 😁

My daughter came into my room this morning at 7.30 asking to go for a McDonalds breakfast and I was buzzing to be able to jump out of bed and take her right away. This is going to be a good year 🥳

Anyone can join we will be checking in on Mondays good luck and welcome 🤗

I had a raging headache yesterday reminded me of a caffeine withdrawal headache I think it’s my body trying to get me to drink alcohol!

I am just back from a long drive, stay and dinner in a hotel and I didn’t drink alcohol! When I got back today I really wanted some wine however, I just put dinner on and ate it with a fizzy water and some posh cordial from Waitrose. Glad to report the cravings have now gone.

The alcohol demon on my shoulder was strong tonight and saying things to me like:

Why are you doing this?;

Nobody will know if you just have one;

DH is still eating cakes anyway why shouldn’t you have wine; and

Nobody on Mumsnet knows you.

I just thought to myself this is not a healthy way to see alcohol. You have to change and you have to stay strong.

Day 6 of 2024 and I’m alcohol free still.

Reading all your posts really helps.

I'm looking forward to Monday and marking my first full week of 2024 AF.

Im really struggling with it tonight 😢 il be happy to get a full week under my belt .

@pavillion1 it is hard when you are fighting against the urge to drink I know that feeling well but hopefully it will pass and you’ll come out the other end. Try distracting yourself with something. Sending you some of the resolve I found tonight I did wobble a couple of hours ago but I’m over it now. Monday not far off and one week will be a big milestone for me too.

Im ok , ive had a milky coffee and thats took the urge off . I gave up vaping 4 months ago and i rarely think about that anymore so i know it can be done .

I hear you @Noalcohol2024 the demon has been out earlier with the same 'why does it matter?' Thoughts in my ear.

Well done on the hotel stay sober! I'm impressed genuinely.

My husband refuses to break and he's an even bigger drinker than I am so I can't cave even if I wanted to.

Through December I reckon I would have the best part of a bottle every single night and prior to that I reckon at least 4 bottle of wine personally a week. I've been like that for the last 15-20 years, apart from each time over found out in pregnant I stopped and didn't touch even a sniff of alcohol the whole time.

As a HCP I am more than aware of what alcohol does to your body and yet I kept thinking I'll deal with that tomorrow, then tomorrow, then tomorrow etc.

I have 3 essays for university due in this month and stress levels are stupid. It would be so easy to cave and blame the stress.

I keep telling myself even health aside, financial it's a ridiculous habit. So much so that I've been getting quotes for a new kitchen I've been after for years. It's scary to think if I just stop drinking then I can afford it entirely!

Can I join? Also started on the 1st and finding it so much harder than I thought. I probably have at least 4 bottles a week Wednesday - Sunday. Probably has been a bottle a night for the past month. You all seem to be doing so well on here. I was fine until last night and all I can think about since then has been wine. Like real proper cravings. I thought I'd miss it but not this bad! I'm aiming for 100 days sober as a bit of a reset but I'll see how it goes and may do more if I get past these cravings.

Yes come in pull up a pew.

Used drink a bottle of wine every night for 20 yrs, I was a functioning Alcoholic. 2 yrs ago decided to quit drinking on school nights but made up for it at weekends, sometimes getting through nearly 5 bottles from Friday night to Sunday night.
I was dreading this Friday but God works in mysterious ways, I have been blessed with the flu.
Next weekend is going be a challenge , hope I can stay strong.

Focus on the bright and breezy morning. That works for me anyway.

I'm in bed, watching gardeners world... sober as a judge.

I'm so looking forward to waking up tomorrow and spending time tidying the garden.
I've been too horrifically hungover for at weekends for as long as I can remember, to do half the lovely things I had planned.

Day 9 in the bag. I will reward myself with a hot chocolate in the garden rather than wine.

Well done all those who are on track.

@Littletinytarzanswingingfromanosehair this happens to my eyes too. Cannot be good. I find once I get hydrated again and eat fruit and veg they’re much healthier looking. As was mentioned in the thread a scan of the liver can give you a good indication of its health

Awake early in the morning. My sleep always goes haywire when I give up the booze. I’m a very poor sleeper and sometimes it feels like the weekend wine at least gives me a little reprieve for a couple of nights. Still I know it’s not quality sleep so I just need to hang in there. @Kashybear your drinking pattern sounds very similar to mine. Do you think about wine in the week at all? Doesn’t bother me Sunday to Monday then bam! Friday wine craving!

Good morning everyone! Made it just ... last night DH drinking red wine and smelt of Christmas - tempted but resisted. So according to my app I have saved about fifty pounds not drinking this week. Have sent my son a present - he is at uni in wales. Just felt good to do something positive with savings. Also looked up local food banks to donate to. Brain a bit busy this morning. Wishing you all strength and happiness

@Atacamadesert Yes I too have no problem Monday to Friday pm, As busy with work and a couple days at the gym. I constantly remind myself it’s a school night ….. that helps.
But come Friday I used make sure I was fully stocked for the weekend incase of things like freak weather and not being able to get out shopping.
Also Monday night sleep was just tossing and turning.
I have been Alcohol free for 6 days.

A very inspirational thread - you are all doing so very well

I'm also tracking my savings (was averaging around £5 per day, which definitely explains my less-than-healthy finances!) and am finding it very motivating!

Morning all 🤗. feeling pretty amazing even if i do say so myself . Well done to you all who made it through a friday/Saturday night 🙌