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

When I do eventually go back out to the pub after a walk I'd rather get a nice appletizer and a hearty meal as a treat at the moment. I'll have to do that as I know I can't just stick to the one drink as romantic, idyllic and lovely as it sounds..

End of Day 8 for me. I can see the psychology is changing a bit and the inevitable rose coloured specs are coming out...but this is part of the challenge stay strong! Don't end up at square one due to boredom...like a poster said above it takes a while to make new habits. Stick to the original goal (whatever that is personally) don't let the wine witch persuade you to change the goals post, crafty isn't she 😆..I can hear her now,,,"you've done really well, you need a reward, a treat,,see you can easily do a week" we are entering into the psychological realm.

8 dry days done! Thurs is a tricky night for me as I don't work fri so that's my glass (bottle) of wine, relax night...which then spills into Friday.
Will just try to keep busy I think

I really fancied wine tonight but did a food shopping then poured an AF kopperberg and had a treat of a couple of lindts chocolates and my favourite crisps. I am planning on reading my book. Tomorrow I have the gym in the morning then taking the dcs swimming after school which always tires me and them out

Evening all.
Day 8 done and dusted, can't believe I've got this far but I'm glad I have.
@Sammy900 is 100% right, I do it myself I think "oh I've gone over a week, see I don't have a problem why not have a wine", I know if I was to have it though my thoughts would change to "I can't believe I didn't even make it a month maybe I do have an issue" then I'd be back to square one. I'm only speaking for myself though.
My aim is to do DJ then reassess although at the moment I'm thinking I might continue with it, especially now I can see the benefits but I'll see how January goes first

Still ill 🤒
Wine would be wasted on me even if I could drink it. This is the worst head cold in living memory, my sinus' are throbbing, my nose is blocked AND running . I can't sleep and my mouth is dry from breathing through it, I am feeling very sorry for myself 🤧

Feeling very virtuous - went to the pub tonight and had alcohol free prosecco (which confused the bar staff as they had apparently only ordered it by mistake once and had no idea what price to charge!). I'll be honest, I was thinking about having the night off - as others have said, I can't get my head around going to the pub and just having a Coke - but I'm now very pleased I didn't.

And I went to the gym today as well. I'm almost getting to healthy! Just need to sort out the diet, but one thing at a time.

Day 8 and doing OK.

I'm worried about Friday night as DH and I usually have a few drinks after DD is in bed.

I am seeing some benefits in that I have lost weight and my eyes are less puffy.

I got to day 26 last Jan and am determined to last the distance this time.

Well done everyone. 25% of the way there.

If like me you're counting from 00:01 on 1/1/25, I figure the next biggie will be 1/3, 33% of the way which I think is 08:00 on 11/1! Saturday morning?

However, I think and hope I'm just hanging onto this metric because it's early days and I still haven't felt much benefit from being AF apart from the cash! I'm tired, I'm bored, I'm naturally not a great sleeper so the 6am wake ups I've had to randomly do since NY (bank HCP job) mean I wake up tired and headachey, anyway! 😡

But I hope, as the benefits reveal themselves, my sleep improves, and hopefully I'm having to battle the wine witch less (and I find better things to do with my evenings!), the percentage by percentage motivation will cease to be such a big deal!

Morning all!
Ugh, I feel like I've got a hangover without drinking. I've woken up with a headache and dry mouth.
Currently drinking a coffee then I'm going onto my water, see if that shifts it. Also got period pain too, just to top it off 😂
On the plus side I'm on day 9! Have a great day everyone

I'm exactly the same re 'slipping up'.
I'm actually finding not drinking much easier than I thought, but I'm coming out in a cold sweat thinking forward to going on holiday and not having a drink, do I clearly DO have an issue🙄
@Hohofortherobbers it's a nasty one, I've just come out the other side, but still coughing. Only benefit Is that you dont feel like drinking🙂 stay warm.

Went out for an Indian meal last night and was more than happy with a lime and soda. Last time I went there, I popped into the bar next door first fir a large glass of wine, had a couple of beers with the meal, then finished off with a large wine and a Baileys when I hot home.
Keep going everyone - we are brilliant😁

Morning all day 9!! So happy my sleep patterns have restored quickly this time round.
Definitely feel more energetic and a sense of calm which is nice.
Me and DP have planned a gym sesh and country walk on Saturday so that will keep me focused this weekend.
Alcohol is on my mind but no actual cravings as such so they are just passing thoughts that I’m trying to ignore I always get these when I abstain! It’s like the wine witch is sitting on my shoulder romanticising about old times!!
hope everyone has a great day and well done to you all 🙌🏻

Morning day 12 for me today. I had planned the gym but we already had snow and about 4 inches has fallen in the last hour and it's still snowing heavily so I think the younger dcs school will open a litter later than normal so I cancelled my class. It will be a nice snow walk this morning to school which is lovely.

I had planned to take the dcs swimming after school but will need to monitor the roads. They are quite good at keeping the main roads open though (I am in the Highlands we get snow every winter).

Tonight might be tricky as it's a normal drinking night. I think I will have a bath, pamper myself and read a book.

I’m jealous was praying for some snow last night!! But we didn’t get any in London 🥲
enjoy your snow day sounds amazing!!
well done on day 12 🙌🏻

Morning all. Day 10 for me and my sleep last night was lush. I’m also at risk tonight from old habits so I’ve booked an exercise class slap bang in the middle of the evening, hoping it’ll be too late to be bothered by the time I get home.

Day 10 for me today but it's the weekend approaching which is when I will romanticise wine. I will start picturing it as this classy scene, sat beside the fire in our local. I need to keep in the forefront of my mind that this is just an illusion and that feeling only lasts for a few mins. The reality is ending up very drunk, prob saying stupid things and sending stupid messages to WhatsApp groups, feeling shit the next day.

I cut down my drinking about a year ago when I was on a weight loss journey but I was afraid I was drinking far too much and it was becoming a problem. I would drink wine nearly every evening. Mostly to sleep.

So I stopped this and would sometimes drink alone at weekends. I don’t want to go back to drinking more as it’s so bad for my health.

I don’t go out to drink often at all, I do not like being drunk around other people. if there is a social event with drink I will panic as I don’t like to be drunk around other people. I have so much shame and embarrassment from things from the past drink related and also that alcohol flares up my IBS.

Wine crept up again around Christmas so stopped and that’s fine, but I have found myself drinking a can of CBD drink every night and it is having the exact effect I have been looking for. My adult DC know I have cut down alcohol and now saying I am addicted to another substance! The CBD drink has no THC in it, it just gives a relaxing feeling but no intoxication I just drink 1 and then call it a night. I don’t want any more than that.

It doesn’t help I have given up nicotine a few months ago so I really am struggling with not using all of the substances. I’ve never used any drugs harder than CBD or had any prescribed medication - nicotine and alcohol are my vices. Does anyone else use CBD for relaxation?

@Fundays12 I'm in Yorkshire and we've had the snow, now it's hurt black ice and frozen snow everywhere.
It's currently -4 here, I'm at work cradling my coffee trying to get warm 🥶

Just black ice, not hurt

On the radio this morning pause for thought was about how each of us has a whole world inside us. it was meant as a positive but today It resonated with me and made me think ok, it’s not surprising it’s tough sometimes!!

My anxiety is worse today I think maybe it’s my body saying you’ve not numbed yourself with alcohol for 10 days what’s going on … now you need to feel all this … I’m hoping it will pass and that I survive the day at work!! Hiding in my office already!!

Have a (not work) hobby class tonight so that should get me through tonight but right now I just want to crawl back into bed it’s going to be a long day !

actually just realised the date & thinking it may be hormones … this feels hard today!!!!

Thanks for listening and hope others are having a more positive start but if not feel free to join my pity train for the ride for the day

@Seahorsesplendour , do hope your day goes well, anxiety is not fun. As
you said, focus on tonight - think of that and breathe deeply.
@Hohofortherobbers , hope you feel better soon, this lurgy sounds dreadful. I think it would send me to drink to try and feel better- that's my usual when poorly!
Snow envy on day 9!
Have a good day all.

Hi Seahorsesplendour (sorry cant tag you for some reason) - that sounds like an interesting programme.

I also found yesterday really tough, and was really down in the evening, almost overwhelmed with sadness somehow, reflecting on so many things in my life. I don't feel like facing the day today either.

I'm starting to recognise how much alcohol has numbed my emotions in a way and it's really daunting thinking about it not being there (I am sure if I can ever moderate, am seeing how I feel once I've got to the end of the month).

Hoping for a brighter day today. Wishing you all strength.

Thanks I do love the snow but it can be problematic as the side roads don't get cleared. The younger dcs school opens at 9.30 so I will get them into there snow suits soon and out the door. The oldest DC is delighted and lying in bed as his school is closed (secondary).

I hope I make it through tonight. If the wine witch really calls me I will try get to the gym or for a walk then a bath.

That's the worst bit is when it turns to black ice. Thankfully they normally clear and grit the main school route pavements so we can walk down. I am on the top of a hill which means most things run down so it's not to bad (nightmare trying to get the car up the hill in the snow though). Hopefully you will warm up soon.

Morning all 😊 Got home from work last night and was craving a glass of wine but managed to keep busy sorting the house out until the craving passed. DH also admitted at about 8pm that he was going to stop for a bottle on the way home but kept driving past the shop - I'm proud of us!

Now onto the tough few days 😭

Day 8 for me today and I’m doing ok. No snow here but really cold, although there is blue sky today so I’m determined to get out for a walk during my lunch break.
Watched Traitors last night with my teen DD and it was lovely to just be there chatting with her. She’s been v clear that she prefers when I don’t drink - both for my health but also she says I’m a much nicer person to be around.
That’s my reason to stay dry right there.