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

Day 12! Went out for an evening walk with DH - really helped to be out of the house doing an activity that isn't paired with booze.

This is exactly what started happening to me my sleep improved so much when I didn’t drink especially when I had dry months, as soon as the alcohol consumption crept up in December my sleep was the first thing I noticed declining again.
Have only just got it back good now I’m 12 days into DJ but like you say is this how it will be now? I think I’m heading towards peri menopause also the signs are there.

Also he might feel you’re making better healthier changes he could feel insecure or uncomfortable because he just wants things to stay how they are.
Don’t let your DP stop you in your tracks well done for not drinking in the pub day 15 amazing work! 🙌🏻

Yes that’s what I’m sensing he feels threatened, my DP is joining me this time and I must say it really helps.
As you say it’s completely his choice we can’t tell them what to do “although I do try • 😂
well done to you 2 days a month is a great start I managed 75 days AF up in till December I’ve tried a few times well told my self this year I’ll be AF at Christmas but I’ve never managed it!! Hopefully this could be the year!! Good luck with it all 👍🏻

Good morning all feeling very rested this weekend day 12!! Second wknd almost done and dusted! Done strong cravings this weekend but as I’ve said probably due to the high consumption during December I’m sure that didn’t help!!.
Managed to get out yesterday dragged my DP to the woods 😂 he said he enjoyed it! Was beautiful very frosty and white!
Gym class this morning then going to use the spa little treat today before the week starts again.
Generally feeling really good calm, happy, rested I recognise all these benefits same as I had last year I now need to not look at it as being free and content not bored or being boring will work on the mindset that alcohol makes life more fun and interesting.
well done to everyone on the thread what ever day!! Any dry day is a good day 🙌🏻

Day 12, and a long sleep enjoyed last night.
Yesterday I managed lunch out with a few family members, and didn't even consider a glass of wine, or even a passing regret of wishing I could have one. We went to a pub after for hot drinks, and again no thoughts of ooh, I'll have wine to warm up instead.

However, these are young family members who don't drink much, or at all, anyway, the temptation will be so different with our regular drinking friends in February.

But, was definitely a win for yesterday, the best thing being no struggle or desire for alcohol.

Good luck today everyone, and yes, let's focus on knowing that this is a good thing we are doing, and every day brings resilience for the next challenge.

@Grassick being in a pub and fancying a wine -not sure l could do that- huge well done! I would so have talked myself into justifying why I should have one!

Half way on Thursday sounds good.

I'm coping okay but I must say I'm bored 😬. I'm post menopausal so I've had less energy for a good 10 years, now. I work erratic hours so it's difficult to get into any routine.

My sleep has been a mess which has been disappointing, but hopefully that will improve. I'm sure I can do DJ, but I need to start deciding what I'll do in Feb. There are so many stories of major relapses!

But I am curious about the idea of how hard it apparently is to limit your drinking to say 2/7 days? Surely, like now we go 'I'm not drinking through January', we just go 'I'm not drinking til Friday night'? What happens to thwart that, to the extent people decide they have to go teetotal? This is a genuine question, not a dig!

Had 2 great nights sleep Thursday and Friday and thought I had cracked that one but last night was back to struggling to get to sleep, probably midnight, and was awake at 5am.
Thought about having a glass of wine yesterday, so glad it was raining so I couldn't go out and buy some - the shop is quite a way away.
The one thing I am happy about is my blood pressure. I had to take it 3 times yesterday to make sure it was right, well into my age range but I haven't lost any weight which I am surprised about, thought there would be a couple of pounds after 2 weeks and no wine and choccies.

Slept like a log and didn't wake up until 9.15! Amazing.
First cold water dip of the year today..in Scotland! Haven't done it for a while so another challenge

That is impressive @Hedjwitch !

Yes,@Fordian, seems like a simple transition...hmmm...maybe it's because the cravings have been reactivated?? Assuming they were ever deactivated!

Day 12, or 38.7% if you prefer 😊.

I opened the Kahol (AF whiskey) last night. Tried it neat over ice and it was a bit of a strange taste, but it had the 'burn' of a whiskey. I ended up mixing it with a whole can of Goodrays as it was a bit much. This was late so I was in bed soon after and slept very deeply. Apparently CBD can affect sleep in multiple ways so I assume it was that rather than the 'whiskey'.

@Fordian , yes it's a mystery to me too why it's easy to give up for a month but planning dry days is harder (for me anyway). @Buntyforgirls may be correct that the habit reasserts itself very quickly, and we need a catalyst to stop again, whether that's the tradition of DJ and wanting to reset, or getting to the point where you want to make a change. I hadn't decided whether I was going to do DJ this year until 1st January, but then I saw I had some AF beers left over and it just sort of happened. I need to establish a habit of dry days going forward. A few years back I achieved that - I used to say "Sunday and Monday are None-days" and that seemed to work until some stressful events, including the sudden loss of my mother upset the routine.

Another cold but lovely day here today so looking forward to getting out later 😊.

Day 14 for me so that was my second Fri/sat night without booze. The break is very long overdue! I don't drink on a sun anyway so today won't be an issue. We are heading of sledging soon with the kids then I will make some home made soup and a roast.

On way back from a weekend away and nearly fell of the wagon. V proud I didn't, kept thinking ' wanna feel shit in the morning?'.

Anyway day 13 for me. Have noticed:
Better sleep, not all nights but more relaxed and no longer tight jaw& clenching teeth
Vision better
Clearer in head
More energy

Reading that back it should be a no brainer to ever touch a drop again- we will see!!

Actually it's day 15 for me yesterday was day 14 lol. I have a sore head today but at least i know it's not a hangover

Morning all
I slept for 8 hours solid last night, I was tired though. Managed to stay AF too.
Day 12 for me, the evenings are getting easier for me now compared to the beginning of January. I still wake up feeling a bit headachey which is annoying, not sure if it's delayed symptoms of no alcohol because I felt fine at the beginning.
Anyway today is a day of washing school and work uniforms and cleaning the house, so far I've given the kitchen a good scrub.
Hope you all have a lovely Sunday

Feel like I could sleep for ever.

Same happened to me last year. I honestly think that the difference was that I got the taste back?

'Drinking steals happiness from tomorrow'

• UNKNOWN

Liked it. Thought I would share.

To an extent, but when that happiness is a 6am alarm and a 12 hour day at work, it just makes that grind a little harder, rather than stealing the happiness! 🤭

Day 12 for me. Friday evening, I had a niggle from the wine witch but ignored it. Yesterday, went out and met with friends. I kept to AF beers and felt fine about it all. Today I've been to visit my mum who was in one of her odd moods. Believe me, a few hours later and back home I feel desperate for a glass of wine. But I know it wouldn't be just the one, so I won't. Even though I deserve it. 😩

Weekend done. Erdinger AF beer is very nice.

Well done everyone for getting through the weekend onwards to a new week. Day 12 completed

Day 13 for me today. Had a night away last night and sharing a bottle of wine would have been nice...but I've started so I'll finish! To be honest I'm not seeing much difference in how I feel, but I think I'm sleeping a lot better.

Steak dinner without red wine was hard but stayied strong day 12 almost completed ☺️

IMTOOMessy
'Drinking steals happiness from tomorrow'

• UNKNOWN

This quote resonated thanks for sharing