Dry January and beyond - Thread 2

[BulldogMumma]

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

@BigButtons I have had a few early nights with my book 😄 And I'm going to have a try of needle felting. I've also started a new job so have been on my best behaviour, I've had to do a lot of brain work and try and shush the imposter syndrome voice. It has been exhausting.

@Frontroomroomjungle oh I used to love doing needle felting. What are you going to make? Beware stabbing your self repeatedly 😁

I've started with a Christmas pudding - I've only had the kit for three years! Then I'll see what takes my fancy with the stuff that's turned up today. Thanks for the warning about fingers, only a matter of time...!

Distracting myself tonight with a webinar on medicinal herbs while drinking zero Guinness. Another day done.

Really rough day at work I would usually use this as an excuse to open the Malbec. Not tonight though. Couple of AF beers and an early night on the cards.

Keep going everyone! I've found this thread so helpful x

How is it only half past six? I'm so bored tonight. I'm not going to drink, but this is dull.

Checking in for day 17! But I've got a works shindig next Friday and I need tips on how to avoid the booze!! Any advice?

Glad I'm not the only one who's just feeling bored!

I wish I wasn't so tired as well; you'd think we'd be feeling better!

I can't think ahead further than DJ, 100 days feels too depressing at the moment! 😬

@BigButtons you put that really well about switching off from ME.. I totally feel that!

DH on the beers tonight and I could see him just kind of relax after he'd had one.. but I know I'm only like that with the first drink...

It's ok one day at a time, but when I think of a longer period it seems ages.

I've spent all evening room scrolling. Usually I'd be drinking wine and watching a film. I definitely drink to pass the time.

@CandyLeBonBon can you drive? Or plan something for early the next morning?

I played a board game with the kids after school today, something I haven’t done in ages. I don’t enjoy it and don’t have buckets of patience with them but I was glad I did it. A nice side effect of having a bit more energy these days.

Day 20 done for me today. I thought it was day 19 but my app says day 20. I went to the cinema with a friend tonight and am watching a show with DH.

We're staying over. I've done so well but temptation is going to be everywhere. I love a glass or two at these things and I just don't want to spoil my streak! I just have to convince my stupid brain not to give in!

I didn't realise there was a new thread. I've just posted on the old one. Place marking for the rest of the month.

Feeling really flat, fed up and tired out tonight..thinking all sorts of negative stuff like am I even happy in my relationship, am I lost in a bland existence (haha)..what am I doing with my life, what have I got to look forward to or get excited about..I know this mood will pass it's reminding me of PMT meh, even though I've only just finished - but everything is all over the place hormonally for me at the moment. I'm going to eat a dinner at this time and read on previous stories of abstinence and what others have been through and then hit the sack.

Hopefully I'll have much more energy and feel brighter tomorrow and I'm just tired out really and my body is confused as to why it's not getting an alcohol fix and a surge of fake weekend evening energy and fake "fun/enjoyment"

Day 17 completed

Evening all
Day 17 done. Todays been a busy day so not really had urges for wine, I'm in bed exhausted.
I get the boredom, I've wasted so much time on an evening drinking that I don't know what to do on a night now, I've been having lots of early nights with my book.
I'm working tomorrow and have stocked up on AF drinks for tomorrow night.
This is our third dry weekend, we can do this 💪

@Sammy900 I read that it takes the brain a while to create new pathways so that blah feeling is completely normal. The example they gave was coffee. If you drink a coffee every single morning without fail, that caffeine will give you a boost and your body stops making whatever it would make instead. If you stop drinking the coffee you feel shit for a while but eventually your brain realises it’s not getting that fix anymore and starts to create its own ‘boost’ again.

Hope that makes sense. It will take a while but it will come eventually. I’ve never heard anyone who has quit drinking say they regret the decision… maybe people who start again but no one who regretted trying.

@ThriveIn2025 Thankyou. That makes sense completely..my brains wondering where the fun / stimulant is

I've not been tempted to drink (aside from 2 AF beers) but I understand the boredom. I think a lot of it is because the evenings are dark. If it was July, I'd go for an evening run / walk, but in January sofa time starts a lot earlier.

Distraction is key. I find puzzles helpful. I've been timing myself to see if not drinking improves my speed. So far, no difference, but there's just over two weeks to go! Heading to bed soon with a crossword and some chamomile - a very early night for me.

I've not been tempted to drink though so that's a good thing. There's a block there so I think I've muted the witch! Just dealing with the meh moods. I'm glad I'm not drinking tonight feeling like this or it would potentially feel ten times worse too

Night out for me tonight to see a comedian great night! Went to bar to get water & they had mini bottles of jack rabbit Shiraz which I really like but I wasn’t even tempted so going to bed proud and grateful tonight after a fun night sober and looking forward to a sociable day with friends tomorrow with no hangover in sight!! 😊 happy weekend everyone! We’ve got this!! Hope everyone having a wobble last night is ok

I'd like to join! Day 17 of Dry Jan.
I've only ever drunk wine at "wine o'clock". A large glass while cooking dinner, and another while eating it, but that's still half bottle a night ... every night. And beer with a bbq or a pint in the pub. So I was never a heavy drinker or even drunk, but if you add up the units... not so good.
I get a little "ohh a nice glass of red would be nice" feeling at 6pm. but so far I've squished it with a can of Trip of similar. Once I get to 7pm I'm fine!
Went for a curry the other night-fully intending to down customary 2 pints of Cobra ( because it's only wine that counts) and found myself asking for Kingfisher Zero! Felt very smug and it tasted ok too!
Got a wine and cheese evening booked with my friends for Feb 1st but I might get some AF and see how I feel about it on the night. Now that would be a big step... DJ is ok .. but beyond??? Hmmm...

As an update DH had a couple of drinks tonight (large white rum and a whisky) neither bother me as I don't like spirits.

However we were watching a TV series which was great unfortunately DH decide to talk and give me a running commentary on the show. He then wondered why I asked him to rewind a part 🤔. Tipsy and drunk people are bloody annoying!!!!

Morning all day 18 🤩
feeling great, well rested etc need to keep busy today no actual plans just gym class this morning.
looks like it’s another cold day so will probably have to force myself on a walk this afternoon and then the evening hits and I’ll be like what now 😂 I have to work on my mindset and tell myself it’s ok to just do nothing on a Saturday evening I know I’m not missing out there is literally nothing going on!! I might even look at holidays this evening think I need something to look forward to.
Also if anyone is looking to shift a few pounds I’ve been using a calorie deficit app and it’s really good you track everything you eat so you don’t go over your calories I can feel it working and it’s stopping me from eating crap. Last time I gave up booze I ate so much that I actually put weight on I thought it was justified as I wasn’t having wine I would eat a pack of biscuits etc!!
This time I want all the benefits I’m working so hard this time round! 😂 will be worth it when summer hits.
Good luck to everyone and a massive well done look at us 🙌🏻

Morning crew!

Hope your Friday evenings were kind and restful.

How are people finding their cravings? The joy of waking up fresh outweighs the urge now I think.

Dark tear troughs/ eye bags too! They are disappearing!

Day 24 is here, I'm confident I'll be ok as I have coursework to do! 2 boxed off out of 5 to go....