Day 1 or 1000 all welcome on the tulips and snowdrops thread 🌷

[AFmammaG]

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/4930949-tulips-snowdrops-and-another-day-1?page=40&reply=134961706

Ladies I’m making this new thread as we’ve gone up to 993 posts on the other thread and I need to link it before we fill up!

Will post a proper into later.

@AFmammaG think you gain extra points for living with someone who continues. Would he consider waiting until you went to bed or drinking elsewhere? I find my craving kicks in about 6.30pm and, if I can make it through, I'm more relaxed by 8. Unfortunately this doesn't make a fun bedtime with little one, I put on a brave face and take deep breaths if he starts whining or kicking off. I just feel like I have nothing to look forward to in the evenings. So I'm making a watch list and got ingredients in for some nice meals and fresh juice.

i have been in an utterly foul mood all day, the only saving grace was that I was also feeling under the weather and not very drink like, otherwise I’d have been rage drinking my way through the evening. It’ll turn out to be PMT in a day or two, I am too old for this shit!

I did rage eat a brownie instead. I fear the cake ok, chocolate not thing is going to backfire…

@CoffeeLover90 he thinks there’s nothing wrong with how much I we drink. He definitely won’t take a break or drink elsewhere. I haven’t asked him to either because this does feel like something I want. Something for me.

My danger zone is after my youngest is in bed. I don’t like to drink in front of the kids, so I distract while they are awake. It’s once they are asleep my mind starts to wonder.

I like the idea of getting some ingredients for cooking, this will also help with my be more healthy mission!

I did rage eat a brownie made me laugh @TimesaChangeling. Many times have I sad eaten food, not often rage eaten though! At least you won’t have a brownie hangover on the morning!

Well done for the brownie rage eating. Given the choice brownie is better, easier to burn off, no brownie headache. I do love a brownie.

Seems like brain only wants me sleeping 5 hours. Was awake until almost midnight then woke just after 5. That's an improvement compared to the rest of the week though.
Busy day ahead so hopefully that helps me relax later

Day 3 about to be achieved! Diet not so much. Really want brownie.

Sorry to hear the sleep is still not great @CoffeeLover90. I’m so sure it will improve with time.
I’m heading out for a solo walk today. Really need a break from the kids and their constant intensity. DH is out tonight on the beers so it will be extra hard for me. I used to love drinking with no one watching judging.
Will use the same tactics as last night, keep reminding myself why I want a dry month under my belt and substitute with squash. If all else fails, get on the treadmill! It’s certainly a fab distraction once I’m on.
Good luck everyone!

lol, I look forward to updating on what will now be ‘brownie dry streaks’

I have gardening and dog walking on the list today. I also really fancy something a bit special for dinner so will think about something that takes a bit of prep to keep me occupied.

Isn’t it funny? I was fine tonight. Hardly any cravings and very easily distracted. I managed a long walk today so planning an early night as pretty tired. DH has gone to the pub so I don’t have that temptation here either.

I honestly think if I had drank last night I would have just written off the whole of August. So thankful I got through it.

Hope everyone else is having a good Saturday.

I had a terrible headache last night so no cravings and no brownie. On the plus side I did sleep well.

Day 2 with no brownie

I also didn’t drink yesterday. As I did the gardening (after completing a mountain of other tasks) my brain kept turning towards it. I don’t know if it was a specific trigger (I don’t garden often enough to tell) or just Saturday night and the satisfaction of a lot of work done. But a soak, AF beer and a nice dinner tided me over. I would really like an AF month too.

I also realised yesterday how desperate I am for it to be autumn. I realised summer has barely started…

@TimesaChangeling #browniesnotbeer Well done. I tend to crave after a productive day, I imagine lighting a candle, putting on a film, curling up on the sofa and always link a drink to those kind of evenings. Takes some energy to settle on a glass of juice instead.

I am definitely feeling a lot more determined this time. Looking forward to getting this decorating finished. Not looking forward to the actual decorating. Hate that bit.

#browniesnotbeer is fantastic!

So glad you slept better last night @CoffeeLover90. I always think a good night must follow a bad run. Sheer exhaustion but when it comes.. it is sweet.

@TimesaChangeling you are very welcome to join us on our month of August challenge! This morning I looked in the mirror at my face and the difference when I’m not drinking is stark. Less lines, less puffy, almost a different colour. Less red. More even.

Hi everyone 😊 I've been quiet here as I haven't had much to say - but I do read the thread every day and I'm grateful to those who post!

Happy to share that I made it back from my first ever sober holiday abroad! It's was SO worth it, completely anxiety free and chilled, with great sleep and fun days out where I'm not focused on where I will get my next drink! And today I hit day 222. It honestly feels like all the effort is paying off and life is a lot easier. So keep going with your goals!

@TeeNoG that's amazing, well done. I have to admit on only day 4 I'm already feeling a little benefit. Although I'm aiming for just dry August, I'm going to assess how I feel September 1st and may just continue

Absolutely @CoffeeLover90 , benefits start straight away! I think what I mean is I feel more settled into it now if you know what I mean? The benefits are more consistent, especially mentally.

Well done on your day 4, you can absolutely do dry August 🫶

Hi all - just checking in. I'll have a proper read through asap.

I'm on day 100 AF now about about to go on our first 'proper' holiday in years.

I don't think I'll have a drink but I'm mindful of jt.

Not drinking has become a really comfortable way of life at the moment. I'm happy to be calmer, more measured, and know that when I am loud or 'extra', it's a choice and not the wine talking.

Every day I get a little bit more clarity/genuine emotion back. It's quite a ride!

Oh wow, @TeeNoG - that's fantastic - should have read your post first!

Any holiday tips, or is it just second nature now?

Huge congratulations on such a long time AF

Day 4 continued... currently watching something I previously watched in the wine days. Realised I missed a lot.
Still no brownie.
Have a share bar of chocolate but I regret nothing.

Congrats too @NextPhaseOfLife !

Honestly, I just went determined to do it, no negotiation with myself. I told myself I have to try at least one alcohol free holiday to understand if it's better or not (it is!). Also, when you sit down at a meal or to chill or whatever, it's only really the first drink that is hard - once you've had a Diet Coke or whatever and got it out the way, I find that you don't even entertain the idea of drinking alcohol after that. So just get that first alcohol free drink in your hand, order pudding daily and you will be grand 😊

Thank you @TeeNoG

You're right - I love the idea of using the holiday as an experiment. And yes, it is only the first drink that's the choice.

And I shall definitely be ordering pudding!!!!

Are you enjoying your AF life?

Congrats @NextPhaseOfLife & @TeeNoGon fantastic progress! Great to hear that it can be done!

@CoffeeLover90 I’m also safely through day 4. Lots on tomorrow and an early start so will be glad of a clear head in the morning. No cookies here but a couple (ahem) of biscuits….!

See, these long distance runners are inspiring me! Well done @TeeNoG and @NextPhaseOfLife, that’s awesome.

I will definitely be joining you @AFmammaG. I got to 125 days last year and I would really like to settle back into a long streak again. I’d really like to focus on fitness goals as well.

i am here for the #browniesnotbeer @CoffeeLover90! what an awesome tag.

@TimesaChangeling was you inspired it with your rage eating brownies 🤣 definitely the # of the month.

Day 5 done. It's going to start getting easier soon. Last night was a bit of a struggle at first. I have to go get some shopping in today. It's going to be another challenge, not putting wine in the basket however, decorating starts today too. A long couple of weeks ahead so I'll need to stay fresh.

Sleep has been better, only woke early due to cat being manic.