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.

These threads have been so helpful for me. It's great to have a mix of Day 1s, Day 365s and those just looking for motivation. Means no matter where you are on your journey there's someone to relate to, someone who can advise and no judgement anywhere.

We had another nice trip out today. I'm amazed with the energy I have. Weather turned sour again.
Have had a quick, easy tea of sausage and chips. No takeaway- astounded with myself. Tomorrow we'll stay home, maybe spend some time in the garden and I'm going to meal plan.

Thanks for your positive post @TimesaChangeling. Amazing to think you started this journey a year ago. I was also on the first thread - but have had more chequered progress! But I have had at least three periods of over 30 consecutive days each without alcohol in that time so still better than I would have done without these threads.
Im really grateful to everyone who posts.

Another dry day for me - that’s day 6 completed. Hope everyone else doing ok.

Day 10 double digits!

Hey everyone, I'm going to hold myself to account here, I had two drinks last night :( but I'm going to be kind to myself and not beat myself up and use it as a reminder that it just isn't worth it. It was interesting as even the taste didn't seem that great (which I didn't used to notice) and I also didn't like how it affected me. I ended up crashing early to bed. Which is rubbish. And waking up at 3.30am. So maybe it's a positive as it wasn't a good experience to help motivate me to just stay dry.

I'm not sure how I will count my days now (in theory today would be day 9), maybe I'll just minus that day so it isn't as depressing starting at day 1 psychologically for now.

Agh so annoyed at myself but determined to look after my mental wellbeing and not self sabotage!

Hi @dontlookbackinangerr don't beat yourself up. We’ve all been there and I think the important thing is to just see it as a blip and try to get back on the wagon today.
Hope today goes better for you

Morning all, there have been a lot of posts! Just catching up on them all.

@TimesaChangeling happy 1 year anniversary. I was the first person to join @thepeppapigfanclub on her thread and I vividly remember how awful I felt this time last year. I’d been on several threads on alcohol support previously so I’m a bit surprised that I’m still here a year later. Like @Limeandsoda2023 I didn’t manage a huge dry run…. But I’ve done a few of 40+ days. My approach has changed a lot over the year. I’m on track for a dry August, which is fab. I look and feel different. I have made progress. I wish I’d kept my app up to date so I could say I’ve done x number of days, so my learning point is, I will not abandon the app if I end up drinking at some point.

@dontlookbackinangerr 2 drinks in 9 days is how I’d frame it and that’s a fantastic achievement. I used to do say 1/35 or 3/44 but I stopped doing that after one too many slips. Now I like to count my running total but in all honesty the number doesn’t really matter (maybe if you are going for total sobriety).

I do like to have a target and find it helps to keep me on track. I’ve learnt that my target has to be realistic and not too daunting. If you feel ready to jump straight back to not drinking, do! Your body will thank you for the 8 dry days, of that I am sure.

Well done @Cantdoitalll on 10 days! Hope you are feeling some benefits. That’s probably the hardest part behind you. Allegedly all physical withdrawals have gone now and the cravings are psychological. That’s what I’ve read. I don’t know how some of those cravings can be soooo strong and all in our mind but apparently that’s true.

Today is a brand new day @dontlookbackinangerr
im not making excuses for you but you’re under huge stress. It’s understandable so be kind to yourself x

Maybe if you have the time and space @dontlookbackinangerr you could have a think about what created the situation last night specifically? Was it a person / situation/ thing which set off the thinking?

I very nearly caved last night myself. A work situation sent my blood pressure rocketing and my treacherous brain said AHA, Now you have a reason to drink!! Bastard.

One train ride, one peppermint tea and some toast and I was through it but god it was hard. I also remembered the million things I have to do this week (including going to a sodding cocktail making and then packing up for a big camping weekend). I realised it was all going to be shit and I would be deprived of my stupid happy if I had a hangover today. I still have to get through the cocktails tomorrow. At least a quarter of the department doesn’t drink. WTF!!

Anyway, count in whatever way you wish. Just as long as you are not mentally telling yourself you are back to square one, because you aren’t.

Yes, I'd like to echo @TimesaChangeling to say a big thank you to @AFmammaG for keeping us all on track. Similar to @Limeandsoda2023 I've been here since the first thread (bar a few disappearing acts when I've been boozing again) but I really want to commit to an alcohol free life now and know I need to "lean in". It is helpful beyond words, so thank you. Day 7.

@thepeppapigfanclub
We are still here, quietly rooting for you. Sending strength and support.

Well done @Cantdoitalll on the double digits. Score!
@dontlookbackinangerr don't beat yourself up (in anger). It's a marathon, not a sprint. I don't think anyone in the history of disordered drinking just said "well I'm gonna quit" and rode off into the sunset ... nope! We keep trying until it sticks. You noticed the unpleasant taste, how it made you feel. That will take root somewhere in your mind.

Blimey @TimesaChangeling , how are you going to get through the cocktail making?
I can't lie, it's a bit tough to think that you've got through a year and you are still having cravings. Argh! Do you think it is because you have reached 1 year and it's such a big milestone your brain is like "OK WE DID IT! NOW DRINK AGAIN!" ??? Massive well done for getting through the craving!

No to be clear I have not been totally dry for that time, it’s not a year of absolutely sobriety and I don’t want to mislead anyone! But I drank maybe 5% of what I would have drunk the previous year. Tbf, if I had been totally dry there is a likelihood the cravings would indeed be less but I think even those with years under their belts still have their mountains to scale.

@dontlookbackinangerr hope you're OK. It's an awful feeling, like defeat, but we're just fighting with ourselves. Getting to 8 days is amazing, it's often the hardest phase and you did it. You can do it again if you want to.
I wish I had a £ for every blip.

Still a huge win @TimesaChangeling so be very proud of your life changes!

On the note of our year anniversary, is there anyone who would like to take over the OP role for the next thread #browniesnotbeer ?! I see we are at 965 posts. I’ve found it really motivating being the OP but I would be happy to pass it on after 2 threads ❤️

I don't think I can accept the responsibility or commit any time, long term. But I will feel no shame in taking all the credit for #browniesnotbeer

@CoffeeLover90 😆

I love your humour!

I get it in terms of the time. I do feel a bit guilty of I don’t post for a while. I feel even worse if I drink, so every cloud and all that.

Anyone feel up to it? It is a really good motivator.

@Limeandsoda2023 @AFmammaG @CoffeeLover90 @Cantdoitalll @TimesaChangeling @Steppered to all of you thank you for the support and advice. Just that alone means so much!

I really didn't feel good this morning for it. Really noticed it impact my mood. On the drive home earlier I was so close to popping in the shop with a f*ck it mentality but I remember how good I felt dry and how bad I felt this morning and how much worse I would feel (and would set me off spiralling the wrong way).

So.. Today is a dry day. So 7 + 1 is how I'm seeing it :) you're so right though, not to get to hung up on the streaks. Thank you again. Still here and determined to keep at it.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/5147598-day-1-or-100-tulips-and-snowdrops-say-browniesnotbeer

New thread

Love it @CoffeeLover90
see you there!!

Yay, I’m heading over @CoffeeLover90! Thank you!

P.S. 3 weeks of August done today 👊

@SadMama87 we haven’t heard from you for a while. I hope you and Miracle are doing ok x

Hi all.
I really need to catch up. I have been MIA as totally fell off the wagon after doing well & feeling/looking so much better. I have no excuses just one weekend turned into the next…you know how the story goes 😩 I’m feeling horrendous today, fat bloated & so down, took a holiday from work as couldn’t face going in feeling like I do, going to get a early night & hopefully feel better in the morning & try to get back on that bloody wagon xx