Day 1 or 100 tulips and snowdrops say #browniesnotbeer

[CoffeeLover90]

Didn't think I'd be worthy, being so new to these threads, but an amazingly brave woman managed to drive past a shop today and not give into cravings. And I was one of the people that were thanked. I'm humbled.
I may not post on here daily, life, child and pets demand attention but I hope people find what I have from this- encouragement, reassurance and no judgement.

It's been almost a year since I began drinking 3 to 7 days per week. In that time I've many failed attempts to stop or moderate.
I'm now on my longest dry spell since my first attempt. Day 21, with @AFmammaG beside me.
I have no plans for September. I'm in an hour by hour, day by day situation.
I will do Sober for October. Definitely. No doubt.

#browniesnotbeer came to mind when another poster mentioned they'd 'rage ate' a brownie rather than pour a drink. I've turned to food but balancing that with exercise and telling myself it will be easier to cut out chocolate. Although I could be lying to myself there...

www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/5066932-day-1-or-1000-all-welcome-on-the-tulips-and-snowdrops-thread?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

@Steppered please continue to share achievements on here- I for one find everyone's milestones and achievements however long or short really inspiring.
I'm feeling less hungover today and can't imagine anything I want less than alcohol.Long may it last.
Went on a great dog walk with an old friend, signed myself up for some volunteering for a charity and binged watched Netflix's 'Nobody Wants This' which I'm really enjoyingListened to Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver's podcast on the drive to the walk today. They make me laugh out loud but I also find Lily's sobriety and Miquita's support of it really helpful to hear.

Drunk, dry or clean we're here.
I've posted on these threads after a full bottle many times.
I've also posted about long dry spells and how good it feels.
As you say it's a marathon not a sprint.
I'm really no better, if anything feel worse. My sinuses are blocked, started taking sinus relief tablets. My head is pounding.
Two negative covid tests, I did have covid last year and it doesn't feel the same. Just a nasty cold.
Thinking of the positive, I would definitely turn down a drink at this point.

I know it's early so forgive me and there is no pressure, just a suggestion. Would anyone here like to join me in a say no November? Sober October has been successful so far. But I feel like a fraud. I wouldn't have drank while feeling this poorly anyway and, up to now, I've not been well most of the month.
I do want to try two months too.

I also feel like I've not been as present lately or really taking in previous posts, for that I apologise. It's partly a lot going on at the minute, but mostly I've got no energy.
It's definitely man flu. I type this while wearing a long fluffy dressing gown, drinking tea and feeling sorry for myself.

Hope everyone is having a peaceful weekend.
I'd like to thank those on a long dry spell for sharing their experience and inspiring others.
Also those who are struggling and felt the courage to admit and reach out.
You're all so brave and I owe you a lot.
A special mention to @AFmammaG who I joined in dry July. My longest so far. But the non drinking posts really got to me, I could emphasise with a lot of it.
Thank you all.

So sorry you're still feeling so unwell @CoffeeLover90 . I'll be there for a dry November xx

Morning all 😊
count me in for dry November too!! @CoffeeLover90 you must have flu it’s definitely lingering hope you feel better soon get some vitamin c
very quite weekend here just gym and housework looks like it’s going to be a rainy Sunday here so think I’ll find a box set later and make a roast and dessert of course!!
hope everyone has a well rested Sunday

Very rainy windy day here too. Hope it's this way tonight, I love the sound of rain outside while my candles burn and I scroll through the tv to find something to watch, before scrolling on my phone haha

@CoffeeLover90 I'm here for dry November.Your virus really sounds horrible and I hope it starts to clear.
Taken care of myself this weekend.DH is away and its been relaxed.Canicross in torrential rain certainly made me feel alive , watching Rivals with M&S chocolate Brazils (the protein cancels out the sugar making it an actual health food in my opinion) and an early night last night.Housework today which I'm wierdly enjoying.

Cannot wait to watch Rivals!

I'm away all week at a conference abroad. A long, boozy conference. I have zero plans to partake and I have good friends there who will be supportive (and are using me as their booze shield!) - however, that's not to say I will find it easy. I won't. I'll be tired, out of routine, and I am quite honestly really stirred up and emotional with this group therapy I'm in so it will be a challenging week. I'll do my best to check in when I can. I know that booze is not the answer. I hope you ladies are all okay x

Congrats on 2 months @Steppered, really hope you are feeling the benefits. And yes to let’s keep mentioning and celebrating our achievements!
I’m away for half term so apologies if I don’t post so much, I am here and I am dry (remarkably). I want to do until the end of October and will then decide about November @CoffeeLover90. I know I can do the next couple of weeks. I’m away from usual routine and that helps. November will be more tricky as all the Christmas events start hitting the diary….

Thanks @AFmammaG . The biggest benefit genuinely is the lack of alcohol chatter and going hours not thinking about it, it's so freeing. I've been super emotional lately and yes it's hard sitting with the feelings but it feels like progress, rather than another shitty hangover.

I have just survived a night out of free-pouring wine where I was the only person at the table not drinking booze. I live to tell the tale! First 5 minutes is weird and then it's fine. I'd normally be in the bar now carrying on, late night, shit sleep, awake early feeling crap, struggle through the day, rinse and repeat all week. This week will be different.

Hey everyone hope all is well 😊
night out on Friday is fast approaching feeling better about it now I’ve checked the menu and they do some nice mocktails. Think it’s like my first date night sober which is why I probably panicked and romanticised it more than need be. Also will be 60 days sober on Friday so that’s a huge achievement for me I will definitely be having a dessert!!
feeling pretty good of late I’m definitely a lot calmer and not losing my temper as much sleep is amazing I definitely see an improvement in my skin it’s more glowing!! Waistline is ok considering I’m still eating sugar I’ve calmed down a little and I guess the running burns most of it.
moving on from me, great work @Steppered for surviving the night!! I hope you felt great this morning waking up clear headed 😊 nice to hear from you @AFmammaG glad your doing ok, how are you feeling now @CoffeeLover90 any better? How’s everyone else doing??

Evening everyone, disappeared as had a vomiting bug. Cold cleared up a lot, then immediately 🤢 fandabbydozzy
Well done on all the big wins!

@CoffeeLover90 that's awful.I really hope you are able to rest up and recover from the horrible illnesses.You must be wiped out.
@Chance21 60 days is ace.Great you are starting to notice the benefits.Clearer eyes and skin and less puffiness happened pretty quickly for me (well ,once the black eyes had gone).
@Steppered well done on your night out.I think you are right...the 1st 10 mins are wierd and a bit uncomfortable then it's fine.For me it gets easier when everyone starts getting drunk as it doesn't look so great.
@AFmammaG I'm trying not to think about Christmas although have offered to drive on the day.Realised I still have 3/4 bottle of Baileys in my fridge from last Christmas when I tried to stop drinking in Jan.I lasted almost 3 months and the Baileys has sat there untouched. I have a rule it's only drunk in December I'm somehow able to stick to.Better chuck it down the sink before it comes around again.

Hi everyone, feeling better now although tired. Thanks for the well wishes just been a case of bad luck.
On the plus side- parents evening yesterday, DS doing well. Reading journal has been better organised lately.
Driving lesson yesterday. Instructor said it was a shame I wasn't driving like this two weeks ago because he's now 50/50 on whether to push my test back. Two weeks ago he was sure I should push it back.
Incentives I hadn't even thought of.
I did fall off the takeaway wagon, to be fair mostly due to feeling wiped out.
I went through my bank transactions and I feel ill at what I've done this year. I'm so ashamed.
But it's made me all the more determined.

Hey guys. Well, last night was AWFUL. But I didn't drink.
I am away with work and I just found yesterday really hard. The days/nights are so long and there's very little downtime, plus I am really emotionally stirred up with this group therapy.
It started with wine being served at lunch, all my mates then talking about going for drinks when we got to X, then all going for drinks so I took myself off alone. Then going to a restaurant and more free pouring wine. No AF alternatives. I was given an orange juice like a small child and I left the table in tears and got a taxi back to the hotel. Don't even give a shit if people were talking about me. Don;t have the mental capacity to care! It was fine today, it was just assumed I was unwell - that's fine by me.
Got back to my hotel room in a terrible mood and decided to make a tea. Couldn't get any hot water but hey! At least there was a mini-bar. IN MY ROOM. FFS. I feel like the world is against AF people sometimes. Everyone raves about this flipping drug that is alcohol. ARGH.

@Steppered I'm so sorry. Must be awful away from home and surrounded by people and situations that aren't supportive.
Suggestion, if you don't mind them thinking you're unwell can you go along with that? Take yourself to your room when you can, good book, tv, whatever you have for relaxing.
I hate mini bars too. Always have, they're in bloody family rooms at some. Ridiculous. If there's no extra charge could you give them away or ask reception to remove them? That might be difficult I know, but easier than finding yourself in front of temptation after a bad day.

Sorry to hear about your day @Steppered. I hope you feel proud that you abstained because that was a really difficult thing to do.

I’m away for half term and people on our table this morning had cocktails at breakfast. I felt a twinge of desire to join them but didn’t. Who wants to start the day feeling like that?! Says more about them I guess.

@CoffeeLover90 please don’t feel bad about the bank statements. Gosh I hate to think how much I have spent on coffee this year. A ridiculous waste in a way but also something I enjoy and doesn’t do much harm. Focus on the good parents evening and the positives there. No good can come from hashing over the past and feeling regret.

Thanks ladies. Glad you're starting to feel better finally @CoffeeLover90 . And have a lovely week away @AFmammaG .

Gosh, I remember waking up this day 4 years ago. With the worst hangover. I'd had my first alcohol blackout. First time we'd gone out after months of lockdown. Apparently I'd fallen over and broken a glass, and then picked a fight with my husband. I felt like death the next day and he had to tell me what had happened. My hangover didn't kick in properly til about 5pm when I was really sick and just shows how long the alcohol was taking to clear my system. That was the first time I "quit" drinking. But as I discovered, it wasn't that easy. So it has been 4 years of stop/moderate/agony for me. Many day 1s. I never cracked moderation - it only got worse. Day 70, and feeling grateful x

Day 70 @Steppered well done.Especially with managing staying dry away from home with work.I don't travel with work so I'm able avoid work events.Socialising with colleagues is definitely a major drinking trigger for me.
Also: Hotel rooms should only provide good hot chocolate, tea, decaf and caf coffee and good biscuits.
I did a 30 day NHS dry online thing in January.Many of the group speakers had many, many day 1s before finally getting dry.Others had just stopped and stayed dry.Mine is definitely a journey but I feel I'm on the right (rocky) path.
I'm coming down with a cold and feel faint when I stand up. It's my day off today so cancelled my running club, teens off to school and I'm back in bed about to spend the day watching corny films with the dog.No urge to drink alcohol since last week's blip.Although I'm ill I feel pretty good today and positive about staying dry.Long may it last.

I’m also feeling rough, I do get this when I travel though, sore throat, pounding sinuses, headache etc. unfortunately I feel this might linger for the whole holiday. I agree, @growinguptobreakingdown it helps with the not drinking just trying to carry on regardless and not waste a precious day away in bed.

The weather here is glorious, really lovely heat and shorts and t shirt everyday. Isn’t it funny how we enjoy the simple things when sober? I feel the sun on my face and just feel, content. And hopeful. I really don’t want a drink right now.

Hey everyone 😊
just checking in this week is flying by so quick so looking forward to another sober weekend feeling good.
good to hear your feeling better @CoffeeLover90 and great news on your sons reading I’m sure you’ve played a big part in that. Hope you make the right choice with the driving the waiting times can be ridiculous if I was you I’d give it a shot you never know what can happen on the day and hardly anyone passes first time not meaning to sound negative just talking from personal experience.
So sorry to hear your frustrations @Steppered really well done because it sounds like a bloody nightmare I would hate to be in that situation and I probably wouldn’t come out of my room. Having said that
the wine probably taste like paint stripper and your colleagues will be getting crap sleep probably over eating and bloated with a red puffy face/ nose 😂 you don’t want that!! You already know the positives 😊hopefully you’ll be back home soon.
congrats on the 70 days!!
I feel Covid times were lethal around the booze I honestly think I was drunk every other day it was what everyone was doing!! It may have took four years but your here now and that’s the main thing every time we go back to day1 shows us that we have a choice to make better changes.
sorry to hear your not feeling great @growinguptobreakingdown sounds like a good rest is needed enjoy your cozy day in front of the tv!! Keep hold of the positives who wants a crappy hangover eww!!
Hope you enjoy your holiday @AFmammaG hopefully that sun will make you feel better!! And yes all the simple pleasures are so much more when we our sober!! Enjoy 😊
last weekend for us sober Octobers!! We can do this 👍🏻

Just checking in, doing well.
Day 26. Now illness is fading I'm starting to feel the benefit. A pamper night planned for Saturday.
@AFmammaG pleased you're doing well in the sunshine. I get what you're saying about not dwelling on mistakes but I find it helps me to stay on the right path, punishing myself.
@Chance21 I didn't take it negative, I fully expect to fail but I don't want to fail miserably. Just one serious will do haha
@Steppered Huge well done on the 70 days. Amazing work.

Aww you never know @CoffeeLover90 i know one person that passed first time! It has a lot to do with the examiner I don’t care what they say I had the same guy twice and on my third attempt it was like he had undergone a personality transformation he was awful really stern moody didn’t talk he was clearly in a bad mood and I think it was fair to say my first attempt was bad I messed up but the second time I thought he was just being really harsh as I never caused any danger it was anticipation but no one was near me!! So anything can happen and these things can be taken out of our hands literally but the practice will give you confidence good luck will be the best feeling when you pass. Pamper night sounds fab!! Just bought some new bath oils just need everyone to go out so I can enjoy in peace 😂

@Chance21 I know, I kind of expect my first attempt to just be an attempt. If I pass great, if not it's just getting the experience.
I know someone who passed first time, 0 faults and everyone was shocked. Two years later, still a terrible driver.
I know many more passed second time and they're great drivers.

Now I'm feeling much better, I'm surprised to say I don't feel the need or want to drink. Even though it's Friday. Everything is going well, or better, my perspective may have changed there. Sleeps a struggle.
May bring pamper forward to tonight.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Morning all
happy sober Saturday 😊
very late night for me yesterday didn’t get home till 1 am 🤦🏻‍♀️
feeling groggy but glad it’s just from tiredness and the big bar of chocolate I ate on the way home from London last night!!
But I made it 60 days yesterday! And my first proper night out absolutely 💯 sober!! One mocktail and H20 was quite lucky actually the food and show was amazing so didnt see many drunk people or felt like I was missing out. Turned into a karaoke bar at about 11.30 that was my time to leave. Last weekend in October been thinking I need to set some new goals for November maybe I’ll tackle sugar!! 🤔
glad to hear your feeling better @CoffeeLover90 I’ve been taking magnesium before bed and I don’t know wether it’s the tablets or my sleep has regulated due to not drinking but I don’t have any problems getting or staying asleep as of late. Always a bonus when you don’t feel any pull towards alcohol and can just be free of that thought process that creeps in.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys the extra hour in bed!! Long dark days are coming time to hibernate and enjoy being at home 😊