Dry January and beyond

[BulldogMumma]

I couldn't find a dry January thread so thought I'd make one.
I've posted on the alcohol threads before but never see it through. This year I'm determined to do dry January and even beyond.
My drinking has really crept up lately and I know I need to address it. I lost my mum this year due to alcohol and I don't want to go the same way. I've been using alcohol as a crutch since losing my mum but now's the time I stop relying on the wine and take back control.
Anyone else who wants to join me are more than welcome, would be good to have some buddies along the way x

This is my first sober Saturday since I done know when. God it's boring though. I did some crochet to keep occupied. Consoling myself that I will have a nice clear head when I wake up in the morning.
Am going to make sure I book the cinema or something next weekend.

I think I've eaten my body weight in chocolate 😅 slept 2 and a half hours last night. Had an hours nap this afternoon. I'm struggling with the lack of sleep but have no babysitting duties tomorrow so can hopefully lie a big longer in the morning. Back to work and routine on Monday.

End of day 8 has come 💪

I'm actually amazed that I stayed dry tonight. I so nearly caved. Dh and I were skirting around it and ultimately I think it one of us had a drink the other would have. And neither of us wanted to be the first one to break.
Must admit the evening did feel flat initially but after about 9pm it was fine and I'm really happy I've managed my first sober Saturday in absolutely months if not years!

Joining in!

Day 4 for me. Sleeping really badly, worked too many hours, a bit bored and flat. Probably very tired!

However, I have a real issue with wine. I'd drink every single evening, and can easily polish off a bottle alone over 4-5 hours.

My weight has been going up and up, and I'm not getting any younger. My mood has been quite flat since menopause despite HRT, but I'm wondering what may happen if I quit that other depressant, alcohol?

I decided it was time to try and give my body a bit of a break. I very much hope I can do DJ, and if I succeed, I will decide whether to try to stop drinking all together or whether there's a chance I could moderate. I think not, but I'm not making those decisions right now.

Good luck to fellow voyagers!

Yeah so that was quite hard ... and boring. Going to have to find other good weekend things to do or sheer boredom may drive me to drink.

Day 5 for me. Managed three hours at a party this evening. I was the only one not drinking. By the time I left my social battery was low (as I'm quite introverted without the booze). In bed with a cup of tea and looking forward to reading a few chapters of my book. Reading is so much more rewarding when sober as I can remember what happened where I left off!

Morning all
I slept a full 8 hours last night and woke up feeling rested and clear headed. I still feel bloated but it's starting to get better.
Woke up to loads of snow today so it's a snow day at home for us, might build a snowman with dd.

Start of day 8 for me. I had 0.0 gin last night with diet lemonade which was actually really nice. DH had a whiskey but thankfully I hate the stuff so it didn't make me fancy a drink. I have woken up with a fresh head which is nice and the first in a long time.

@Fundays12 I was toying with idea of AF gin but wasn't sure what it was like, I might get some to try.
I think I'm starting to see the benefits of Dry January, my skins starting to look a bit better. I remembered this morning before I started DJ I'd get random heart palpitations, I've not had a single one since doing DJ

Day 4 done and my Saturday which was hard! Going to bed now. I'm behind the UK time zone. So proud of us all! it's hard! I'm really appreciating this thread.

Morning all start of day 5 for me, actually slept reasonably well last night so feeling good this morning. Well done to everyone who managed to get through the first Saturday night!! Danger zone is off for me as I don’t drink on work nights as start work at 4.30 am not looking forward to the morning alarm clock 🥲🥲 Christmas was a moment now it’s back to reality. Have a family gathering this afternoon the last one thank goodness but both me and my partner will be taking AF corona I really like those weird as I’m not a beer drinker just to feel like we are joining in. Hope everyone has a rested Sunday x

Morning, well done to everyone getting through Sat night. I was irritable from 3-6pm but it lifted after I'd eaten and I had a glass (actually 2, wild! 🤪) of AF Prosecco (0% Freixenet is my fav as not too sweet).

Anyone who was on this thread last Jan will remember someone put the % of the way through (someone did it yesterday and it reminded me). It was a huge motivator for me especially towards the end of the month as I thought I can't cave now it's 85%, 90% etc.

Stay dry tonight and we've done 16% already 💪🏼

It was Aldis own version I bought which was about £9 (still a lot for no alcohol). I really enjoyed it and it felt like a treat.

I am noticing the difference in my skin and my face looks less bloated.

I went out last night for dinner and drinks and stayed alcohol free, yay! This morning I can smugly trot out that old adage - you never regret not drinking. My dining companions had 4 drinks a head (just noting out of interest, no issue for me). I would have kept up with them and have a thick head today.
Also still got a snivelly cold and it’s weirdly refreshing to know this is just a minor ailment and not alcohol related. Today is day 5, feeling pleased. And thanks for the % updates, I like numbers. The apps are telling me how much ££ I’ve saved and how many wasted hours. Love it!

I have a Whitley Neill rhubarb and ginger 0% gin - I bought it off Amazon so a bit cheaper than some of the others. With tonic it tastes a bit like refreshers.

Morning everyone. Another "lie in". I never sleep until 8am and I thought it was just my 50 plus body clock, but I think it could be the alcohol. Who knew!

Slept pretty well, dreaming a lot.

So glad I pushed through my bad mood last night. Day 5 today. Never had a day 5 for years.

Good luck everyone

Morning all!! Annoyingly woke up with a head ache & general aches & pains again but slept well so that’s a bonus!! Also it’s all settling now I’m up & about!

Enjoyed snow play with dc already and that would not have been fun with that morning after feeling!!!

@BulldogMumma you saying that made me realise I haven’t had any palpitations either which I was having!! Thought was peri & stress related but maybe not!!! 🤔

definitely danger day for me as like a lunch time drink on a Sunday so it’s good to have checked in here and know none of us are in this alone!!

Hope everyone has a good day snow or no snow!!

I'm sleeping so much better.

Isn't it wonderful to wake up feeling a bit smug for not drinking rather than the self loathing of having "given in"?

Another fabulous, deep sleep!
@Comeonicandoit ,well done for a night out no booze, that will be a challenge for me.
At the moment I am really motivated by the healthy, healing me image.
I don't want alcohol and that is making it so much easier. Usually by day 5 I am feeling ready for a drink -just to celebrate NOT drinking for 5 days!
I hope that my mindset re alcohol is finally shifting from I shouldn't drink, to, I don't want to drink.

And to @soberserene too. That is such an achievement! Well done!

I don't know why my resolve is so firm this time. I agree that it will be amazing when the mindset changes to "I don't want/need jr". Let's keep on keeping on!

Well done to everyone. Think how much booze we collectively haven't had so far...and the calories saved!
A tip I have used in the past is if you have a slip up stop counting the days consecutively. So if,like a PP,you did 14 days and drank on day 15, you are NOT on day 1. You have done 14/15 days. How awesome is that? See it as a percentage and keep going.

I'm finding the dry January bit easy breezy and my mind has time travelled to the beyond. I successfully moderate using the app but there is still the inner mind games that play out in justifying my choices. Friday night, Saturday night, busy days, celebrations, girls' nights. Dry January is comparatively easy because there's no debate. I don't need to check the app for the weekly tally to date to see if I can have a cheeky red with lunch. The tally is zero. I'm wondering if I can make the leap to abstinence and hoping that DJ gives this rocket boosters to propel me into the beyond.

Well done to you all for getting through Friday and Saturday! I managed to get through BIL 40th without drinking.
Sleep is still rubbish for me, but the fact that I've been hangover free this weekend feels great. Have a great Sunday everyone!

Well done on your first Saturday everyone!
next week I am collecting me new tiny kittens so I will have something to occupy me!
Thanks for the kind reply re me and dp. Only time will tell if we are just really not suited and the only thing we had was alcohol .
my sleep remains horrendous. I think I need to re adjust my hormone patches- I am sweating a lot and I know the alcohol has already left my body
no snow here- just lots of rain. It’s such a hard time of year.
last year I managed 14 days so anything above that will be a bonus 🙂
I might well try the AF gin. I love gin
it’s great to have the support of this thread😍