Dry January and beyond - Thread 2

[BulldogMumma]

Hey everyone
New thread as the old one was filling up
@Flicitytricity @coastergirl @TimeForNosecco

Day 100! Feels like a celebration milestone 🎉 Congratulations to everyone staying on the sober path. I am very grateful for the accountability and the handholds.

@Destiny33 🎉 well done! A significant milestone. I reached 100 days yesterday, it felt a bit of an anticlimax for me as I had a tough day and really wanted a glass of wine. I was disappointed those cravings are still calling as I thought around 90 days they would magically switch off 😆

Anyway, after a strong talking to myself I googled when 200 days would be and now I’m refocused on that goal. I woke this morning with a positive mind, something that wouldn’t have happened if I had drank, so a reminder, if one were needed that I don’t actually want the wine at all.

Well done!! 🥳🥳 you should be soo proud of yourself massive achievement I’m also very proud to be 100 days!!
will have to treat ourselves to mark the day, I did announce it on my family group chat but people just don’t get it some applauded and my daughter said 100 boring days! 😂 like she’s 22 her drinking career hasn’t took off in the wrong direction yet although I can tell she enjoys her girly nights out.
Soo I’m here celebrating us all as I know how hard it is and some wouldn’t be able to manage 30 let alone 100!!
🥳🙌🏻🥳🙌🏻

Congrats on the 100 Days 🥳🥳 I understand about the cravings I had the wine which rear its ugly head on Sunday!!
But feeling better about it today, it’s just a passing thought we don’t have to act on it!! I’m sure we will always have them but the more we ignore the stronger we become and we can notice that it’s not what we really want or need. Well done 🙌🏻🥳

my daughter said 100 boring days! 😂
Oh this did make me laugh @TimeForNosecco, thanks for sharing. I concur to an extent! There have been some occasions that would have been better with booze… I don’t think there’s anything wrong with admitting that, is there? It’s just taken me this long to realise that the one of two fun occasions are not worth the many weekends written off with hangovers and self loathing.

Oh to be 22 again. I was studying my face this morning and musing about whether Botox is for me… I wonder how different my face would look if I’d never smoked or drank 🫣 might be spending this month’s savings on some serious face cream!

I didn't even realise it was day 100 until I saw the flurry of posts. In 100 days I've had a holiday, a birthday, mother's day and girls nights out and I haven't flinched. Drinking now feels like an alien activity. I was never a huge boozer but liked my red wine. I will keep the app going just for accountability and to get the sober spring badge.

Gosh I can't quite believe it's 100 days! Well done everyone!I haven't checked in for a while - good to see everyone's updates, thank you for sharing.
Very happy I've got this far and I don't actually really think about drinking now! Now I've starred writing I've realised how tired I am so will pop back in next few days with a longer post!

I wish I was in the same space as everyone else, not even thinking about drinking anymore. Hopefully that will come for me with a bit more time.

Saw a post on SM saying think about how far you have come compared to this time last year and this finally feels true for me. It’s been years and years since I have had this long away from alcohol, so I’ll keep hold of that thought… 200 days here I come!

She’s very cheeky!! 😂 I think she sometimes misses a couple of Proseccos with mum also and especially when I was paying!! She will get used it.
I understand it’s ok to miss alcohol I had some great times but the bad ones will always outweigh them and nothing feels better than waking up sober!
I hear you with the bad habits I definitely have some mouth wrinkles I’m not thrilled about probably due to smoking!! So glad I don’t do that anymore I can’t stand the smell now but I will just have to hope for the best now 😂

Haha I spoke too soon..
I really had a craving tonight, first for some time.
Think it was the beautiful day - I just really fancied a cold beer in a pub! my reality was a long day of work then going to collect Kids who were both grumpy and tired. Dinner was a battle and DH was still working at 7pm so I was on my own with them trying to coax the toddler into eating his dinner.. in the end he did after 30 mins of deliberation!

I felt like I was being deprived of any 'fun' - silly I know! If someone had offered me a drink at that point I'd have found it very hard to resist!

When DH came down he suggested I go for a walk and I am so glad I did. It cleared my head and I had a bit of time to enjoy the beautiful evening on my own. Felt v grateful for that!

@AuraBora I think if I drank now I’d be back to square one within days. Giving in is not an option for me right now!

Well done on distracting from the urge. Especially with a walk and not chocolate! Not easy!

Well done for not giving in!! 🙌🏻 I have a gathering in a pub this evening I’ve been feeling off for the last hour or so, have been listening to sober lit and I’m taking my car so hoping that will help. My main concern is feeling awkward these are heavy drinkers so feeling a bit apprehensive and they know I’ve just completed 100 days which was my original goal… maybe I’m over thinking this!! I will have to go through this at some point I’m going on holiday with them at the end of April and I can’t isolate myself forever. Nervous but will feel soo empowered tmw I know this will be a massive accomplishment as I have been very much at home these past two months. Will check in tmw hope everyone is enjoying the weekend 😆

Good luck @TimeForNosecco! I had a really nice zero alcohol gin in the same glass as everyone else the other night. I’m fairly sure people forgot all about me not drinking after a couple. Hope you have a good night sober!

@TimeForNosecco
Thanks for the support. Hope your evening has gone well!
I haven't had many social occasions this year (dinners, evenings out) either and would be apprehensive too! Hope it was enjoyable anyway, let us know how you got on!

Yes I feel the same. I think if I had a drink I'd find it so enjoyable/relaxing I wouldn't be able to stop!
Sorry to say I did have chocolate ice cream though, after my walk! And I'm spending a lot on Trip drink so nor sure I'm actually saving any money!!

Morning all thanks for the support!! I did log on whilst I was having 5 mins check out time in the loos!! 😂
well I’m happy to say 2 non alcoholic gins did the trick!! And because we got there a bit later and it was a free bar I managed to blend in and got away with no drinking questions thank the lord! All in all it was a success. Feel very smug today!! Tbh the party wasn’t that great and if I had been drinking I would have over drink to compensate the lack of atmosphere!! 😆 but it suited me still a late night at midnight but didn’t want to hurry DP had lots of comments on how well I looked which was really nice to hear and just shows you, you get what you put in my aim was to be healthy and it clearly is showing and I’m feeling great atm.
Can now enjoy my Sunday hangover free and hit the gym! Wonder how their heads are after all those shots!! 🤮 I actually propped up at the bar 😂 was thinking how the fuck am I doing this it all smelt pretty vile tbh and I just looked at all the different bottles and colours/flavours how much we are tricked thinking this stuff is not actual poison it smelt like poison but didn’t look like it!! Once again thank you, and thank you for this AF life ❤️

Fantastic update @TimeForNosecco! I admit I too like the ‘you look well’ comments I’ve had on occasion. I know my face looks different. Much less puffy and the colour of my nose matches my cheeks better 😆

I was up with the kids this morning, made them a cooked breakfast and then cleared up afterwards. The kitchen is clean and a wash is on the line. I know it doesn’t sound like much but it’s huge for me. No headache. No nausea. No anger. I used to feel so angry with myself for wasting the precious weekends.

The benefits probably do appear small in isolation but add them all up and you are right, it’s a completely different life.

@AuraBora I think you can forgive yourself the chocolate ice cream! I may have had a crème egg or two last night.

Morning everyone, just checking in how’s everyone spending the bank holiday? Hopefully not too many temptations there is always Easter eggs!! 😂
This would have been prime opportunity to go wild this weekend with 4 days off would have easily drunk heavy on two nights, the thought just makes me shudder now.
Soo looking forward to having a rest and really that is what I/we should be doing we work so hard in jobs, life, children stress etc let’s not throw petrol on that and be hungover and lethargic.
I have so much time now I might even not know what to do with myself 😆 but that’s ok I used to hate that but now I appreciate this time because I care about myself more.
Have a major challenge next week will be thrown into my first AF holiday with friends 😬 I feel more excited to see how I navigate the 3 days!! Almost like a challenge and that’s the mindset that will get me through fingers crossed!!
will be getting up early and using the gym/beach walks while everyone else gets over their hangovers there will be a lot of heavy drinking around me.
Im trying to keep in mind how good I will feel when I board the plane home knowing I successfully achieved my intentions, but I’m not under any illusion this will be easy with peer pressure, old habits, and feeling the awkward first couple of hours in the evenings/ days when everyone will be hitting it hard, as soon as the booze sets in I can relax!!
Maybe it won’t be as intense as I envision if I prepare for worst case scenario then anything other will be great!! I’m there for the sun and early mornings and chill vibes! 😆 bring it on!!
Enjoy your Easter bank holiday and always reach for the chocolate this weekend ❤️

Morning @TimeForNosecco! I am also glad not to be drinking this weekend. DH started Wednesday night and I know in the old days I would have joined him. Instead I went for a “hike” yesterday, I can hardly walk this morning… massively over did it 😆 I slept well though.

Good luck for the holiday. At least it is fairly short. Do you think your friends will be trying to tempt you? Mine did in the early days but not so much now. I think viewing it as a little challenge is a great idea. It took a long time to stop feeling like I was being deprived and instead focussing on all the benefits! You will be very smug when you wake in the mornings feeling great! A walk along the beach sounds bliss! Grab a few quiet moments to tell yourself how great you are doing 💪

my DP has also hit it hard last night, but he feels like crap today and he knows how smug I am 😂 while his nursing his hangover with copious amounts of junk food, I’ve been to the gym and got my steps in and had a very nutritious lunch even more smug! Haha. Well done on the hike great to get outside!!
Thank you yes I’m glad it’s short and sweet! Yes I think they will definitely presume I’ll be drinking especially on the Friday which is the beach club day!! That will be the challenge as I say will be fine once they’ve had a few they will forget and be talking nonsense which could be irritating, might just sneak of for a walk if it gets a bit too rowdy! Can’t wait for the mornings to be like I told you soo!! 😂 that’s when it starts to make sense and they wish they could be AF! Who knows I might revert some 😆 we deserve to be smug we’ve put in the work and that’s the biggest pay back when someone says how the fuck are you doing this!? They don’t know how good sober feels but I’m not hear to preach we all have to decide for ourselves and yes definitely some mirror high fives coming!!

110 days today, who would have believed it possible?! Woke up and had porridge and a banana. No headache. No nausea. No anxiety. Will head out for a little walk later before the rain hits. Then start doing some jobs before back to work and school next week. Will be nice going back to work next week with a clear head. Anyone else noticed their memory is working better? I’m sure my productivity has improved. I don’t feel so stressed, more in control, more confident. It’s wonderful.

Happy Easter all! 111 days under my belt 💪

Going to eat what I want today and then start a bit of a diet and exercise revamp tomorrow. I keep thinking that May half term is only 5 weeks away so that’s something to aim for.

@TimeForNosecco did you head away with your friends? Can’t remember if it was this weekend? Hope all is going well.

Happy Easter!!
hope everyone had a nice break… I indulged in dark chocolate raspberries they were amazing!!
Going away on Wednesday 😬 thank you for asking!! Still feeling nervously excited which is a weird feeling but I understand the feeling more so it makes it easier they’re just thoughts I don’t have to act on them. Saying that the weather looks good so I want 3 days off sun I don’t have time to feel like shit and that’s spurs me on. No people pleasing I would only be drinking to keep others comfortable now that’s a thought!? Good luck with your diet an exercise plan I hit my weight target last week and I know not drinking has played a massive part in that, I unbelievably have dropped nearly a stone since January I am honestly at my fittest healthiest in my life!! And I plan to continue on this path.

Morning all and Happy Easter Monday.
Am lying here, DP and children asleep and feeling very calm and content - usually a bank holiday would have involved drinking every day, with probably several glasses of wine with the roast and feeling sluggish by the Monday.
We have had a lovely few days with our in-laws visiting. I love having them here - they are wonderful with the children and around the house helping generally. They are just amazingly kind and loving people.
They don't really drink and whilst they are not at all judgmental, I've often felt a bit more self-conscious of drinking when they are around. So it's been really nice to just enjoy time with them without any booze. Dp has also hardly drunk - he had one beer yesterday.
I have definitely become more productive and focused - altho not sure overall my memory is that much better! Yesterday spent hours and hours working on the garden with my MIL whilst the others went out for a walk in the bluebell woods. I'd definitely have got bored/restless/wanted a nap if I had alcohol in my system.