200 days alcohol free- anyone wish to join?

[FeelingLessTired]

Several years ago, under another user name I did a 100 day alcohol free challenge and alot of people joined me on MN. It was before covid, so a long time ago!

I really appreciated the support and lasted 120 days in the end. ironically enough DH joined me IRL and he just continued on and has been teetotal since then.

I was reading Annie Grace back then (I think) and her recommendation was that if you slip, to then challenge yourself for double the time- hence I now wish to start and achieve a 200 day challenge.

I'd love some company if anyone wishes to join me!

I have a funeral today and plan to drink J20 with tonic water. The deceased was a good friend of DH's and although he was in his early 70s drinking definitely played a part in his extreme fragility over the past few years. He's been really ill for a good ten years I think.

I have set out a spread sheet with my alcohol-free savings. In the last week i have definitely reduced and have saved just shy of £50 already (since the beginning of April) as we have had a fair few dinners and lunches out. I look at what I would have drunk (sauvignon blanc here and there) and when i have not had it I add that cost to my spreadsheet. That does help to inspire me because COL is biting us hard right now.

@wecandothis2025 looks like you are doing this - 15 days is epic!

Thanks! How are you feeling @Seenoevil33? I’m waking up grumpy every morning wanting more sleep, even though I’m sleeping so much better than ever! I’ve never been a morning person though! 🥴 Any plans for the weekend?

Such great posts here!!

We are 💪

I get paid on the 1st. I have had a review of my bank accounts and think that I might have a teeny surplus this month. I'm tossing up whether to start a designated 'AF Savings' account or put it into my holiday account. Currently it would pay for a sandwich and a coffeel.

@FeelingLessTired that's a good idea.
Once I'm back to normal, I think I'll have an af savings account. It doesn't have to be spot on, but I'm definitely saving a minimum of £30 a week ( I stress, a minimum ! ), so that's a good start.

AF savings is a good idea 👍

had a wobble this evening, so told myself when I’d done X I could have a drink, then when I’d done Y etc etc. but ended up not wanting it !
so glad

Brilliant @Sonnet, keep strong.

Hope everyone else is ok!

Well done @Sonnet - not too much longer and those cravings will lessen and eventually disappear - imagine having no desire to drink!

Well done @Sonnet !!

my dream 😀

My “ideal” would be to have a drink only at a “proper” social event , but to stick to 1 or 2 drinks. I want to be able to sip a glass slowly and mindfully, you know the type? (I have a friend like that). I tend to gulp a drink down, especially the first.

i don’t want to drink at home at all!!

one day at a time 😀

thank you for all your support

what are everyone’s plans this weekend.
i have a lovely non working day today : yoga, meeting a friend for a long overdue catch up, then dog walking with another friend 😀😀
we are then hosting a family BBQ…
quiet for the rest of the weekend though 😀

keep strong all xx

@Sonnet well done. Do you have alcohol in the house ?
If I wanted to drink, I'd have to go and buy it. Sometimes I'd want a drink, but couldn't be bothered going out for it. Made me think I wasn't that bad 🤣.
Also, @Sonnet I understand your ideal. About 15 years ago my sister and I did weight watchers. We did really well - lost 2.5 stone each, didn't take us long either. On a Sunday I allowed myself 1 large glass of red wine - omg, I savoured it and enjoyed it so much.
In all honesty, I don't think I can go back to drinking. I know it will creep up again plus as mentioned on here, the mental gymnastics drive me mad.
My birthday weekend and I'm looking forward to a change of scenery and reaching 30 days on Monday 🥳

@Seenoevil33 I've always wanted to be that person who says, No thanks, I don't drink.
I'm on my way 💪

Hi all- I'd also love to be a person who can have just one at social events. Not sure that is possible for me though. Currently though I am really enjoying being AF.

Your day sounds good @Sonnet !

Weekend plans- nothing concrete so far. DH is out doing his hobby both days which is usually prime drinking time for me. I might see if the DCs want to go to the cinema. Maybe some batch cooking. Definitely some netflix. And gardening. If it IS warm then I plan to make up a deluxe picnic and we might go the beach. I need to also research easy but delicious chocolate cake recipes for DS1 as it is his birthday next week. I am NOT a gifted baker!!

Happy Birthday @Goandygo !!

So I did have 2 glasses of fizz over the course of the evening , plus a ton load of water. I bowed to peer pressure, but I also wanted to be that person that could stick to 2 glasses over 5.5 hours. I drank slowly and mindfully as I wanted to, BUT I’m left thinking what did it add? , it didn’t make me enjoy the evening any more , what is the point
so I’m glad I did , as I need this on my journey . It’s showing me the way to bring alcohol free

enjoy your day all xx

@Sonnet the thing is we convince ourselves that we deserve a reward etc but drinking is the opposite of that. Every experience teaches us something, so next time you may well choose not to have a glass or 2.

i don’t want a glass f wine - if I have wine, I don’t want to stop after 1 glass so I’m not gonna bother. Same with cigarettes - if one was enough, I wouldn’t have spent a fortune smoking over the years. I actually find that most people are envious of me not drinking - it’s a hard journey but even though I don’t really know you - I know you can do it.

i golfed in the pouring rain and am home now but totally fed up with eating soft foods - sucked on a cracker earlier!

long weekend here for canada day so off to fireworks and music on Tuesday.

hope everyone else is having a good weekend.

Yep you’re right
I m sitting here in the garden with no desire at all to drink - what a difference 2 weeks makes!

@Goandygo missed your post! Happy birthday weekend and you are now so close to 30 days! I haven’t had a sober birthday in decades - quite shocking really. I may replace with a slice of cake on my birthday this year.

was golfing with someone today who turned up really hungover at 7.30am. He was downing shots of tequila by 9.30am - I just couldn’t get my head around that! Bloody awful start to a weekend.

edited to add: I am not judging, just observing - I wasn’t too far off that myself at the start of January this time away from drinking has totally changed my perspective and I’m sort of at the point that this stuff is pushed on us as acceptable and normal. Maybe for a very small percentage of people, but I suspect most of us drinkers are/were not drinking at levels that are either. Such a waste really.

Happy Birthday @Goandygo , missed that earlier, hope you have a lovely day

Alcohol has become so ingrained in society hasn’t it.
it’s everywhere , adverts, on TV, Prosecco o’clock time,
I only know one non drinking friend, and she has never drunk.
thats the bit I find hard, the peer pressure. I’m going on holiday next Sunday but as it’s only with immediate family I think I can manage any “I want a drink” feelings . It will be interesting to see ..

Happy birthday @Goandygo🎂!

Sweetie. [hugs]

Don't apologise @paintcolourchart . Alcohol is an addictive substance and like me you will probably have gotten into a deep habit of using alcohol for celebration... sadness... boredom...justyouraverageday...socialising... long commutes home due to traffic jams... wanting to not be the odd one out.... [insert any natural part of life here]

It's hard to break a habit and when your emotional resilience is low then it's natural to reach for the coping mechanisms you have used below.

It's not a failure. It's human and it it's only a minor speed bump in the road. It does not negate everything you have achieved to date either.

Gosh i sound like a bossy boots!

Weekends are hard and yesterday I was climbing the walls. I ate ALOT of ice cream. God. I got through but honestly it was bloody hard. And today MY resilience is low because it was such a fight yesterday. The gorgeous weather is a massive trigger for me.

Hope everyone has a great day.

@paintcolourchart : don’t beat yourself up, it’s happened, it’s about listening to yourself now, learning and moving forward.

well done on completing your course! 👏

so your trigger is stress? You drink to decompress/ let go?

what else could you do?

here is what works for me:
a walk or run
yoga

when I want to “treat” myself I have a bath, with lovely bath oil , followed by body moisturiser , clean PJ’s - you get the picture

I’m also in to herbal tea made with herbs from the garden - current favourite to help me relax is lemon balm and lavender

im a “reader” , well I was before it tailed off because of alcohol! I read lots of different genres depending on my mood. Im currently into cozy crime - it’s hitting the spot so far.

when the urge to drink hits you tiday, remember how you felt this morning.

i only had 2 on Friday eve but I didn’t sleep that well and started Saturday below par which made me cross.

i have a Sunday drinks party with neighbours today that I can’t get out of but I have no intention of drinking

Great post @FeelingLessTired

totally identify with your first paragraph