On A Mission To Moderate or Absolutely Abstaining? Join us for encouragement, support and non - judgemental chat *2024*

[Swannyb]

@amdone123 @mj20 @touty @Hohofortherobbers @Coppergate7 @bigbus @colouringindoors @wellitywellness @Atacamadesert @Freezingfeetwarmheart @WouldRatherBeAPieceOftToast @Hohofortherobbers @mickandrorty @Mykittensmittens @afaloren @NoTeaNoShade @CrackersCheeseNoWinePlease @LynnThese4reSEXPEOPLE @Needtokickthehabit @OhShitImNearly40 @Nowstrong @enoughisenough4

Morning all! Day 5. On a dry run here and enjoying it. Sleeping better. Not felling anxious. Last time I was dry for quite a while I was getting bursts of anxiety from time to time. Seems to have disappeared this time. Just as well.
As @Swannyb said, so much energy, being very efficient with my time. Getting loads done. Also enjoying myself. Being AF is a lot more than just the next day feeling. It seems to drag me down. Must really get that imprinted in my brain. Alcohol does not suit me.
Another busy day for me. Baking a cake, will try to find a dry period to catch a brisk walk. Got to organise some more of my upcoming trip. Sort some packing out. Try to keep that very light. Hand luggage only. Less worry about carting a case around. Also have my friend staying with me for a couple of days, so enjoying myself shamelessly.
Wishing you all a great day. Keep the WWs at bay. Stay strong and sober. xx

@Nowstrong you enjoy shamelessly 🤣, sounds super.
I've been reading your posts and you're so productive and busy and so much happier when you're af. Like me, you wonder why we do it.

Having said that, if we get it under control and enjoy it without going mad, I think we'll be ok.
I didn't think about it yesterday. Though my sister was hungover ( we work together), and she looked and felt dreadful. She went home early. Enough to put anyone off 🤢

@Amdone123 Yep! Really wonder why I do it. When I'm AF I'm fine. Only 1-2 glasses can make me feel bloated, disturb my sleep patterns, give me anxiety. Just need to remember that and not fall off the wagon into the WWs hands. Never want another hangover in all my life. Fortunately do stop quickly now.

I saw a quote the other day that resonated: 'I don't drink to get drunk; I drink to get the voices in my head drunk, so they shut the fuck up and stop bothering me'.

It's been hard not having a mental 'off switch' and reprieve from the old inner self-critique - which is the subject of today's post (a bit more of a personal one today...)

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/23/dry-january-23-mrs-bitchy-mcbitchface/

Love the positivity in your posts @Nowstrong & @Swannyb ! Completely agree with you about the benefits of being AF - think it will be a long time before I'm as productive as you though!

Feel for your sister @Amdone123 , good that the hangover is working on putting you off by proxy though.

I thought before that I should video myself when in deep regret over drinking so I can play it back to myself when the ww is attacking!

Hi, hope everyone is doing OK! I still haven't drank since the weekend, haven't particularly wanted to either and even though I haven't been completely dry I am more than happy with my "Dry-ish January" calendar. If a bottle of whiskey can last me over a month going forward from here until eternity that will do me!

I will probably have a couple of drinks on Friday - more in-law crap is incoming. This time a mental health assessment - which will hopefully also help. It will hopefully be a bit easier on that front now as the old witch has agreed to go into a home for a bit providing there is a spare bed 😁

Then nothing on Saturday as we have a family birthday meal (my side) on Sunday and I'll be doing the driving so would rather be totally clear-headed.

Another day, another quit lit write-up - enjoy!

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/24/dry-january-24-the-sober-diaries/

Hi everyone, I cracked and had three glasses of wine last night, I feel absolutely wrecked. I think I need to try and get through the next couple of weeks with no alcohol at all. On the plus side I have lost 4kgs since NY so not drinking the extra calories is certainly making a difference!

My best dry Jan yet! Not sure I’ve ver made it this far before!

@Atacamadesert well done. That personal achievement is absolutely fantastic. Keep going ! You've not got long to go.
@Gemstonebeach sorry you feel so bad. I'm similar, cracked with same amount ( booked my April holiday - any excuse). Well done on the weight loss, that's a lot. I probably won't drink this weekend now - once a week is becoming enough for me.
@Freezingfeetwarmheart that's great you've had a dryish Jan. I'm the same, not as good as I wanted but it's been a hard month and I'm proud I've got through it - I've achieved so much regarding spending, which is challenging for me.
The old witch made me laugh. No matter what witch, old or wine, keep trying !

Well done @Atacamadesert - you've nearly done the whole thing too!💫

Amazing weight loss @Gemstonebeach - presume you did more than cut down on the booze?

Exciting to have a holiday booked in @Amdone123 - somewhere new? Great to see dry-ish Jan going really well for you and @Freezingfeetwarmheart - I think that is harder to pull off than full dry Jan in many ways.

I don't have much [interesting] to report really! Just been continuing with the tweaks I made last week (that not drinking allowed) but not much new. I picked DS up from the train station last night fairly late and he commented that he didn't expect a lift as he thought I would be drinking (he dad is a given). He then twigged that I was doing dry January and told me that wasn't very impressive (I think he means just to do that and then go back to old ways). I know, but I'm not getting into that with him - actions speak louder than words and all that. I'm pretty motivated towards doing dry Feb too right now.

@Coppergate8 you're doing really well. My ds would say something similar. He's not nasty, far from it, but he would comment along those lines. I just laugh it off and you're right about actions.
Yes, somewhere new in April. Something to look forward to. 😎

Yes, I laughed it off too - like your DS mine didn't mean anything nasty by it. Like me, I think he wants to see long term change (moderation in frequency and quantity to 'normal') rather than this 'on'/'off' cycle.
April will be here before we know it! Lovely to have something to look forward to like that.

Thanks @Coppergate8 , yep I’ve been dieting too to get rid of my sugar belly, I’m replacing breakfast with a protein shake meal replacement then trying to eat very clean for my other meals. I’ve put on a lot of weight this year through my excess drinking and bought lunches due to being disorganised. I am person who gets heartbreak fat, not heartbreak skinny!

@Amdone123 where are you off to on holidays? I am considering a tropical break when my kids are on holiday with their dad later in the year but unsure about going alone!

I am really quite enjoying my kombucha and have seen another almost sugar free drink to try, sparkling water with a little bit of real lemon and lime juice added.

@Gemstonebeach I love sparkling water with lemon or lime. I prefer it to af drinks really.
I'm going to Nerja - it's only a cheap holiday. I'm going with my sister though I usually go on holiday on my own ( or with dh).

Oh, I love going on my own, though my sister is very easy going.
But it's great on your own - eat, sleep, drink (🥴) whenever you want !

Ok so I have a plan. Moderate from tonight till 31st and then I go dry for Feb.
Wish me luck as I have been using booze as a crutch recently and it has to fucking stop.

@Needtokickthehabit well, a plan is a plan and a great place to start.
Do you have a contingency plan ?
So, when you'd normally reach for your crutch, what will you do ?
You can do it - just keep posting here - we'll help you turn it around. 💯

I will eat something that does not pair well with wine like mashed potatoes or boiled eggs or something. Thats about all I have come up with so far.

@Needtokickthehabit
I have a list on my wall of Things To Do when the ww pops into my head. Ideas range from going for a walk, having a nice bubble bath, sorting my wardrobe or cleaning that bloody cupboard under the stairs!
I usually find I'm content to wallow in bed, drinking tea after all.

Good luck @Needtokickthehabit !

Your plan is definitely working then @Gemstonebeach ! Brilliant.

I've piled it on with my boozing (and snacking too). I've only cut out the booze this month (but probably eating more in the evenings sadly) - February I will crank it up a notch and start getting the eating plan in order too...well that is the plan. Just trying to crank up my engagement with housework today (day off) and it's not going to well - I'll keep trying...

Hi all, one week done. This week I had a single pint, with food and company, three times, as opposed to half a bottle of whisky secretly on my own every day. I count that as a win.

A definite win @sixthvestibule 😊!

@sixthvestibule that's great, well done !

Hello all! Still dry here. A week tomorrow! Wow! Feeling good. Nearly had a glass of wine last night but had a hot chocolate instead. Had a right talking to myself. So glad that I did. Keeping myself busy making last minute adjustments to my very fast approaching trip. My cupboards are also getting tidied and cleaned. Having a right spring clean.

Have even stopped nibbling, so hopefully "the" t-shirt will go on holiday with me.

@Needtokickthehabit as @Amdone123 said, a plan is a plan. I make them all the time. Don't always stick to them, but at least I try. I think that the brain gets slowly used to the "new" routine of being AF. At least we are trying. Am really motivated to sticking to no solo drinking. When away will have to. So hopefully by the time I come back I'll be nearly a whole month AF.
Well, still have my sock drawer to sort out and have a nice long walk while the sun is out.
Wishing you all a great day. Stay strong and sober!!