The support thread for anyone trying to live an alcohol free life. Spring 2025.

[WendyWagon]

Hello and welcome.
These threads were started by drybird in 2020 and have gone on to support many people to give up alcohol and live a sober life.
We are not a moderarion thread and only encourage sobriety. There is another long running thread if that's what you feel is right for you. Lots of support there.
We have newbies and veterans, some who have 5+ years under their belts.
We share life's up and downs (often why we drank) and no question is too silly.
Personally I gave up drinking three years ago. It's the hardest thing I've done and the best thing.
We call our selves sober sisters and even have a mascot, Sid the ship's dog.
He poses often for a cheer up picture.
We're not here to judge, just offer support and friendship.
It gets better I promise.

Thanks for the podcast recs @Kindtomyself
I saw a really good question on a social media sober cafe group this morning it was;
How are you showing up for yourself today?
How are you showing up for you today sober ship mates?
Self care and showing up for you is so important on this sober journey. I find it just really helps and it’s not something I was used to at all before when I drank.
Whats everyone doing for you today?
I've listened to a new 15 min meditation and a couple of podcasts while putting away all the Easter things
Calmed me down after being turned away for being 4 mins late for a physio appt !!! Fgs
Will walk with my best pooch later and enjoy the beautiful countryside I am so lucky to live in.
I will not drink today.

I'm showing up for myself by drinking a small but gorgeous fresh orange juice from the Marks.

Oooh @WendyWagon that sounds lush. I could do with some of that right now. Had some mulligatawny soup from the work restaurant at lunchtime, gorgeous but left a bit of a thirst.

Sid got into a fight last evening. He certainly didn't start it - but he would have been more than happy to finish it. I hauled him away while he turned the spring evening air Chelsea blue with his potty-mouth. It wasn't nice. He hasn't got an aggressive bone in his body, but he will defend himself if two bigger lads start on him. Fortunately no injuries. He had to get into the car without his Sizzler. I was more upset than he was.

Onwards to better things. Strength and courage my friends. xx

Well I've just had to back away from the cottage.
The price is just too high. Sad tho.

Bad luck @WendyWagon - sorry about that. A better one is out there waiting for you. xx

Rotten luck about the cottage. My daughter is house hunting just now, and the prices are scary.

Poor Sid. I'm pleased he saw off the bullies, but it's distressing seeing our canine friends get into trouble. I hope he's not too scarred by the experience.

I'm showing up for me by knitting in front of an old film on TV and ignoring the mess around me. I'll tidy it up later, but for now I'm paying it no attention. I've been to see a friend, and have a coffee date lined up for tomorrow. Nothing exciting, but I'm a bit under the weather (just a cold), so I'm not looking for excitement at the moment.

Morning beautiful sober sisters.
I will not drink today.

I didn't want to go AF, I needed to, because I realised alot of of time I didn't want to drink but I needed to. I never want to be a slave to addiction again.

Love and kind thoughts to all.
Stay safe and sober.

Morning 75 days completed.

I was taught gloom by my mother so have been trying to overcome it for years. Booze played a part in that - being ‘fun’, not worrying about anything, feeling free. Didn’t actually work though!

Today I’m being present, my memory will be amazing, I am throwing love at my fears. I’m standing tall. Safe and sober all the way

Morning all.

Shame about the cottage @WendyWagon, hopefully there are plenty more on the market. Your father's saying about 'one day ' reminds me of my husbands attitude to life, he had a tragic death of a sibling when he was young, and he doesn't sweat the small stuff. It's a wonderful way to live even though it's comes from a place of grief.

Another fabulous mantra for my window sill @mumzof4x ' how are you showing up for yourself today? Would you mind if I use it sometimes on my morning post?

Self care: I had a lovely soak in the bath yesterday, with my luxurious Liz Earle hydrating cream mask. I tried to buy a Clarins face mask but had a Pretty Woman moment in Boots. I'm investing in having the best face I can now I'm af. I've splashed out on Sarah Chapman C1 cream for my dark age spots.

Hope Sid is feeling ok afer his run in with the cainine Krays. @REP22.

I often wonder how Becky37 is doing, if you're still reading this thead.

Morning all. Sorry to read about your cottage @WendyWagon
So stressful house buying . We lost a house 7 months into sale last year and was gutted so sending virtual hugs.
Agreed sale on our dream cottage this time on 31 January but the sellers haven’t found a property yet. Don’t want to put pressure on as it’s hard enough out there and the couple are elderly but beginning to lose hope. How long to wait ??
4 months plus AF for me now
snd enjoying about tools for sobriety in the online SMART meetings now. Been to 3 and no pressure to contribute which is helpful at least to start with.
Gorgeous sunny day here this morning so hoping you all also have a bit of sunshine in your day and manage to find some time to just be and breathe and appreciate the sun and our sobriety .

@mermadeincornwall ooh I'm so sorry you had a beauty dragon moment.
I use to play the 'please leave' clip in my training rooms. It's so how not to behave.

When I write my boozers book I'll be outed as a cosmetic doyenne and you can say Mrs W is a friend of mine. I still scare them in Selfridges as it is!

One of our number went to a AF festival last year, does anyone remember the details? I need a few days to myself and to sniff the air again.

Good morning my sober sisters.

Sorry to hear about the cottage @WendyWagon

Can I have a bit of a moan please?

I attended a business dinner/awards ceremony last night. And it was so tedious! The host and guests did their best to entertain us (and they were good) but by the time the awards portion rolled around after dinner every one was pissed and poorly behaved. I mean to was always going to be boring but guest were just rude and the host kept having to shush everyone.

AND (actually this is what I disliked about it) why is it that the actual fun bit only starts when anyone sensible wants to go to bed?

I love dancing but that was only happening at the after party which only started after midnight by which time I was more than ready for bed and everyone else was drunk and just sloppy, repeating themselves, getting in my face and spilling drinks etc.

The same thing happened at a wedding recently.

I love dancing! Why do the actual fun bits of the evening only happen once you have had to suffer through all the boring bits.

Anyway, at least I was up and out for a run first and suppose I need to lean into the smugness of not having a hangover today!

@EastCoastDamsel its the ex smoker syndrome.
I do tend to leave early from dos but because my friends are in their 60s they tend not to drink. The hardened ones dumped me! 😂

That’s because people think they can only dance when they’re shitfaced @EastCoastDamsel. I know I did…

Hi all, just popping in to cheer you all on. Still sober, had severe sinus pain this week, so taking it easier than usual. You’re all strong, sober and inspiring. X

Afternoon all, sending you strength and courage.

Sid thanks you for the good wishes @ShyMaryEllen and @mermadeincornwall - the "Canine Krays" made me smile very much. I really needed that. The incident upset me more than it should have. Sid is absolutely fine. They did actually look like canine versions of the Krays (or the Kemp lads).

I haven't been feeling very well today, just tired and run-down. Stayed in bed for much of the day with Sid, watching Judge Judy on Youtube (I know, I know). Amazing (or perhaps not) how many litigants on that show ended up in the situations they did because they were sh~t-faced on drink and drugs.

We are up and about again and I am about to book our summer holiday on Dartmoor. The same cottage we stayed in last year is available. The WiFi was woeful and the stairs gave me the heebie-jeebies - but the location is good and at £478 for a week in July can't be argued against. Off to look at some lovely bluebell woods tomorrow as well. Sid likes bluebells - they grow to precisely the right height to tickle his belly and "little Sid" as he scampers gleefully through them. 🙄😉

Wishing you joy of your weekend. xx

@mermadeincornwall i sort of committed to making myself over and applying a bit more effort to my appearance day to day. I went wearing no make-up to a posh make-up counter recently, fully expecting to spend £200 or so now that I’m saving so much. No one would look at me! I thought I’d sit and get various products tested on me and I’d happily chose the ones I liked best. I picked up the foundation I bought last time(online) and had to wait for the gaggle of idle assistants stop gassing before I could buy it. I asked for advice on eye liners and got one that’s ok and was talked into buying a cleanser even though I stressed I had horribly sensitive skin and probably shouldn’t. And that was it!! Rubbish!!! :(

hope your pampering proves fruitful!

Morning my wonderful sober friends.
I will not drink today.

The sun is shining already, the blossom on the cherry tree is magnificent. I am going to love being alive and present today.

Love and kind thoughts to all.
Stay safe and sober.

Morning Day 76 completed.
A joy to wake up sober.

@SmellyMe @mermadeincornwall Interesting to read about the not pampering stories. So frustrating to want some advice (and products) and not to get it. I had my make up done at a counter about 20 years ago and I absolutely hated it, I was (and still am) a jeans and t-shirt type so wanted a no makeup look. The make up I got was fit for a completely different person. I was going out and felt really uncomfortable. Never had it done again! I never forget (which is something I really need to get over)

Hope you feel better today @REP22, holiday sounds fab.
Shame about the cottage @WendyWagon there’s always a reason for it, we often only see it when we look back at it

Off for a run shortly, then out with some friends for a walk

Good morning lovelies.
I'm feeling very trigger. I got out of bed without a performance! Small wins.

My colleagues at the skincare company have been on to me to do a YouTube or tiktok make up segment. We don't make makeup but I'm about to take on a small project that does. I'll let you all know if I decide to do it.

One day at a time my sober sisters.

Morning all.

I managed to do some hanging baskets and pots yesterday. More for today.

Morning all. Marathon day today.

We can do hard things, ladies x

Morning wonderful sober ships company
I will not drink today.

I'm so grateful that I started this process.Such a huge unhappy weight has been lifted from my life .

Love and kind thoughts to all.
Stay safe and sober in the sun.

@Onewildandpreciouslife how did you get on?