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

Well, I had a cup of tea, cake and started reading a book.
The overwhelming urge has past, and that's another day AF for me😁

Had the most relaxing nights sleep last night, it was well overdue. Am glad I have not thought about drinking alcohol this weekend despite my partner still having a few beers Friday and Saturday. I noticed though how merry he was, never usually notice if I'm drinking too.

Day 9 for me done and dusted

Day 5 done. It's been OK so far but evening boredom beginning to creep in. Going back to work tomorrow so that will up the pressure.

We've had dinner,dishes done,lunch prepped for work, bag reorganised,clothes ironed...and it's only just after 6pm!
Going to be a long evening.

Day 6 done as I’m shattered and all the jobs done so taking my book to bed!! Feels like a luxury!!

Have had a lovely family day & it’s been much more productive than normal!! I was surprisingly ok and no more than passing thoughts about having alcohol so I’m pleased! Much better than I expected so I’m taking that as a huge win 😊

I’m proud of myself! And of everyone one else ploughing through or restarting their af journey!

OP thanks for this thread 🤗

<waves at everyone> Day 5 down and sleep is definitely getting easier. I'm now averaging 8 hours a night according to my tracker, compared to under 7 hours before stopping drinking. I did get the Sat night cravings last night but do feel good about ignoring them and pushing on through, as I felt ready to go this morning.

I like the idea of thinking of the month as % completed. If you think of it as 1 out of 4 weekends done, then that's even better 😁

Day 5 in the bag here. Quite shocked to be honest, didn't think I'd make it through Saturday night or Sunday lunch without a drink. I have slept loads but still feel tired. Back to work tomorrow and a busy week ahead so I think I'll be safe until next weekend.

Wondering what everyone's end goals are. Will you be diving straight back into drinking in Feb or are you planning on carrying on? I certainly don't want to go back to drinking at the levels I was previously at but equally I can't see me giving up for good.

@fuzzylegs33 , I'm planning to start drinking moderately again at the end of the month. Last year I ended up doing an extra two weeks AF, but I don't feel the need this time. I like wine too much to give it up completely, unless I had to for medical reasons. (Also I have a cupboard full of sauvignon blanc as it was on offer before Christmas and don't want to waste it!)

Day 5 smashed.

no cravings today, had a much deeper sleep last night even though I woke up a few times. All heading in the right direction and unlike last year I have not had horrific dry mouth on day 5… this is an improvement right?!

@fuzzylegs33 honestly I really want to make it stick but committing to dj is enough for now! I’ve got some of the books people have recommended ready to start towards end of jan to encourage me to carry on !!

much easier atm just to focus on dj anything else sends me into a bit of a panic!

Have drunk regularly my whole adult life so I’m not sure what anything else will be like but multiple reasons I need to find out!

@fuzzylegs33 same as you, really. I don't necessarily want to quit drinking completely, but don't want to go back to previous levels. I haven't thought this through in detail as yet but I'll see how I feel at the end of January.

Day 6 in the bag. The chocolate eating has to stop today. I’ve given myself a week but it’s undoubtedly the reason I’m still not sleeping well.

I love Mondays. First day of the week. A fresh start. A new chance! I’ll join the others starting their healthy eating plan tomorrow 🎉

Day 5 done and dusted 👍
Todays been okay, I didn't have the wine witch in my ear tonight so that's a bonus.
I'm at work tomorrow so will be good to have a clear head, I'm waiting for a text from DD's school to see if they're open tomorrow due to the snow.
So today I applied for a new job! I like the job I'm in but I fancy a change it's more money too!
I haven't thought longer than January to be honest, at the moment my aim is to get to the end of January and see how I feel, although a TikTok I saw resonates with me where it said can you imagine having a drink at the end of January and waking up with a hangover and will that hangover be bad after abstaining for a month. The thought of waking up with a cracking head and dry mouth is putting me off.
Well done everyone we're smashing it 👏👏👏👏

A craving is just a craving we don't need to give in, kick it out of the headspace. Distraction is key.

End of day 5 for me...feeling really tired so I'm off to bed soon..bring on a fresh head and day 6 tommo. I'm a lot less anxious now and my thoughts and energy have been turning to other life plans, decluttering the house and sorting through everything, thinking about what odd things need finishing or repainting. I've got lots to keep me busy

New diet also starting tommo and going to hit the gym it's time for day one weigh in and "before" photo. I'm feeling head strong I have to say.

Good luck with it all, Sammy!

I'm aiming for one 'improvement' at a time, so I'll get through DJ before looking at my diet, I think.

Day 5 done. Fleetingly fancied a glass of red as I was cooking this evening's roast but it's definitely a craving for the habit again. I'm like one of Pavlov's dogs!

Anyway got through it sipping some elderflower tonic water with some lemon and moved on. Feeling generally much more alive. Have also been eating healthier as my tastebuds seem more awake which is great!

Hoping doggo doesn't wake me in the night - she's got early stage dementia I think, and immune mediated polyarthritis so doesn't sleep well - which means neither do I! Good night all and here's to day 6!

Day 5 done here, serious Sunday Scaries this evening as back to work tomorrow after 2 weeks off. Normally I'd have a glass of wine or three to take the edge off but wasn't actually too bothered about abstaining. Wide awake now though and should definitely be asleep!

Morning all!
Day 6 now and I feel like my bloating has reduced, I don't feel as bloated and sluggish as I did.
I've woke up early again with a clear head and ready to tackle work today.
I've decided to up my water intake, I find myself more thirsty than I usually am so will aim for 2 litres a day see how I get on.
Hope everyone is doing okay

Morning all. It's day 9 for me. Monday isn't one of normal drinking days or a day the wine witch calls me so I think today will be fine. I was due to go to a spin class this morning but cancelled it. The kids are back to school. I am shattered as 1 is autistic with ADHD and ARFID and the middle one is on the wait list for assessment for ASD/ ADHD so the whole of December is hell for us with all the changes. We have no support from either of our parents. My mum isn't interested in much except herself and MIL isn't interested as my kids are the wrong sex (yes really she favours based on what sex they are).

I often feel if our parents had stepped into help before we were drowning I wouldn't have drank at times. I suppose on the plus side it's taught me what not to do as a grandparent. I can't imagine ever watching my kids struggle the way we have with a child with significant complex support needs and effectively turn my back on them when they need me most.

@Fundays12 oh that sounds really difficult. I was lucky with my mum she was always in hand to help out when I needed her. MIL lives too far away to help.
I can't imagine favouring children based on their sex that's absolutely bonkers!

Bizarre, disturbing dreams for second night running. Anyone else? Day 6 here we come

Day 9 for me - not the best sleep but a sober one. I'm going to continue after Jan - the last 2 years going on holiday for Feb HT has slipped me up so I will need to work on that nearer the time. Now to focus on the first day back at work - I'm not a fan of Monday at the best of times but I'm going to try and find glimmers of joy in my day - the first being I didn't drink last night :-)

Morning all. Here's to a successful day 6

Yes. I slept through but I had horrible dreams that are still bothering me. Maybe it's all part of the detoxing?

Morning all day 6 here we go!! Did not enjoy that alarm going off this morning but I’ve been lucky to have two weeks off so I won’t complain too much!!
Its Monday so trying to ditch the carbs for a bit a lot of over eating so feeling sluggish but clear headed and not anxious so that’s a win.
Hope everyone has a great start to the week we’ve got this!! 💪🏻

Morning all! Good nights sleep here and less achey today! Really nice to have a clear head on a Monday morning! Hope everyone has a good day!