Sober October Challenge

[KK1983]

Good afternoon 😊

As the title suggests, I have decided to give 'Sober October' my all and go alcohol free for 31 days. This challenge might be a walk in the park for some but this is going to be HUGE for me. In the past 12yrs, I can't even remember the last time I have even gone a week sober, let alone a month!

So, I am a daily drinker. I have 1-2 bottles per day, sometimes more over the weekend. I have a successful job and a beautiful life but my drinking is becoming more of an issue that I ever thought it would be. I think about it more than I want, plan days around it and spend far too much money on it. Alcoholism runs in my family so i'm aware of the signs which is why I need to get a grip asap. I want to be able to moderate.

If you saw me in the street you'd look at me and think I have my shit together. I have the house, the kids, the marriage, the job - the lot! Drinking became a friend when I had none and when I was lonely after my daughter was born and my husband worked nights. Now drinking feels part of my personality, people know me as someone who loves a drink, the life and soul and I used to love that but now, I'm bored of myself.

I have tried to go sober several times but I get to day 4 and give in after finding any tiny excuse to reward myself. Night 1 always feels a bit rough. I role around the bed for hours on end and get a little anxious but nothing too bad. Day 2 I feel hungover without the fun the night before. Day 3 I cry a lot and become quite irritated. Day 4 - I quit! Not this time though, I NEED to do this and I WILL do this.

To help me along the way I have started taking the following vitamins:

• Vitamin B Complex high strength
• Live friendly gut bacteria
• Vitamin B1 500mg x2
• Iron
• Biotin & Zinc
• Vitamin D & K2

Can any recommend anything else or have any tips to help me along the way?

Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Kate x

I’ve made it into bed - and forced myself to do my new skin routine and hair thickening serum application. So, yay!

sleep well

Well done everyone! So great to hear everyone triumphing over day 2. Tomorrow will be tough but I’ll be focusing on the fact that I must do this if I want my life to be better. I can’t continue as I am so I must make a change, if not now, then when?

We can do it.

👏👏👏👏👏

Welcome 🤗

Hope you manage to get some rest and your headache goes. I'm sure you are but get that water down you, it'll help.

@needastrongoneagain

* One thing I’ve read, and it’s probably too early in the month to mention but if folk do have a drink, then is good to flip the narrative and rather than think we’ve failed, or are back to square one, think of it a bit like a diet - one piece of cake doesn’t mean it’s ruined. So saying ‘I’ve had one drink in 10 days’ is so much more uplifting and positive than ‘I’ve had one drink, I’ve failed *

Love this, it's so true.

@Fiftyandme I love a good skin care routine. Plus you're creating a new healthy habit that will actually benefit you x

@nowinetimeforme That's the attitude to have! 👏🏻

Day 2 done guys - WELL DONE!!! xx

Well, only on day 2 of October so completely fine at the moment. It’s been a hell of a week at work though so I know I’ll miss the Friday wine tomorrow 🙈

i definitely do drink far too much wine, but I have been able to get through 4 to 6 weeks previously without huge issue, cravings for sure, but nothing unbearable. I try to do it at least once a year to comfort myself that I’ve not slipped over into the alcoholic/dependancy category

How're you finding things OP?

So far so good thank you but the weekend is approaching so that’s the real test. Sunday will be my trigger but I’m planning on painting the front room so that keep me occupied.

Annnnnd I'm awake 🤦 hopefully at least means I'll be tired tonight and want to go to bed and avoid Friday wine demons. Hang in there Soberistas, it's going to be a rocky ride!!

@Springadorable I am awake too and with a pounding headache. Looking forward to when the beautiful sober sleep finally arrives

Those struggling with sleep: true crime podcasts work really well for me to go back off to sleep ig I wake up. I woke at 5am but managed to get another 1 hour with the help of Last Seem Alive. I’ve got ither recs if anyone wants them

I’m so glad I came across this thread, and thank you all for sharing your advice about what to drink besides wine, Prosecco, etc. I’m not one to go down the AF substitute route, but have Tesco coming today and have ordered tonics, fruit juices and cordials you’ve all recommended.

This discussion has been such a benefit to me. I’ve now completed four days, and today is day five. Last night I had my first truly deep, restful sleep.

I know the weekend is going to be tough, I’ve got my niece staying tonight, and tomorrow and Sunday will involve meals out. Honestly, I can’t even remember the last time I did that without a few glasses of wine with would continue all day/ evening.In fact, I don’t think I’ve gone a weekend without drinking in maybe 15–20 years. So this weekend will definitely be a real test, but I feel positive and hopeful for a good outcome.

I truly feel I’ve found my like minded people, thanks so much already for the support.

Here’s to a great day for all of us x

Terrible nights sleep last night. I have a UTI and am on antibiotics so that won’t be helping, night sweats, an annoying nocturnal kitten and a toddler who was woken by the wind outside!

Tonight would ordinarily be prime opportunity for me to reach for the 🍷… funny about another poster who said it’s always wine for them… I’m the exact same, I have had bottles of spirits lurking in my cupboards for years, but I would never think to touch them! It’s wine or nothing for me.

Have just had two invites to bottomless brunches for next month. I think if I can stick to cocktails and long drinks I’ll be ok, but the moment a Prosecco passes my lips it’ll be game over!

Well done on getting through day 2 everyone! And more for some!!!! Wedding anniversary today, feel like reaching for the wine as usual when theres any small excuse

@greengreengrass3 it's also day 5 for me and I slept well last night too.

I was thinking this morning how much calmer and more patient I was with the boys (I have an almost 2 and a 4yo) over breakfast and getting ready for school / nursery. I feel sad that I have spent so many mornings a bit snappy and grumpy because of the booze. I used to kid myself that because I wasn't hungover (usually) that it wasn't really affecting me but I have definitely been less present, less patient, a less good parent than I should have been. That is something I will be reminding myself of when I am tempted to slip back into old ways.

Good luck today soberisters xx

DAY 3 🥳

Good morning gang....

I had a lovely 6hrs and 40mins sleep last night, albeit a bit sweaty. It would have been over 8hrs but I was awake about half 1 for a couple of hrs. I try to stay off my phone otherwise I'd be awake even longer.

I feel positive today, look less swollen and I'm also 1.2lbs down which I know is water weight but still, I'll take it 😜

Plans for today - Work until 9pm, healthy food, vitamins, electrolytes, all the water, do something nice for myself.

Hope all you non-sleepers get some rest asap!

Have a great day everyone. x

Couldn’t agree more @nowinetimeformere the patience with children. My two are a similar age to yours and this morning I noticed (even despite lack of sleep!) that I was genuinely happy to go into their room and see them this morning, and wasn’t snappy at them when they refused to eat breakfast/put on their shoes etc. I too have kidded myself that I had it all together because I’ve kept going after a night of drinking, mothering, work, etc… but actually I’ve probably been horrid some mornings!

@itsendgame Ahh I hope you feel better soon, nothing worse than a UTI. Get that water down you. Yep, that's me - wine or nothing! x

@dumplinggirl Happy Anniversary 💖 Hope you have a lovely day. Any plans? How about some AF bubbly and some nice food? x

@nowinetimeforme that's great that you're aware you're more patient as that's huge motivation to help you move forward. It's funny cos sometimes I haven't thought I was hungover but I think I just got used to feeling the same way every morning.

x

Morning all, beginning of day 3 for me. Last night was easy as the kids had extracurriculars so a chunk of the evening was taken up by driving. Tonight I'm having a meal out with school mum friends, normally drive to these anyway so no major change apart from this home I won't be rushing home to try and squeeze in a 'nightcap' before bed.

@nowinetimeforme lovely to hear that you are noticing a difference in your interactions with DC. I'm ashamed to say I was a bit impatient with mine this morning, hoping it's just because my sleep hasn't improved yet and it'll get better in the next few days.

@ImFineItsAllFine lack of sleep will 100% be playing a part, don't be too hard on yourself right now. Besides, sober or full of sleep - kids can be really annoying! haha

Morning all. Day three here. I’m exhausted more than usual today - I’m not sure why as it’s really not unusual for me to not drink at all 2-4 days a week, but these past couple of weeks I’ve only had 1-2 days off/week so maybe that’s it.

Dreary weather here today and I’m not sure I can n my abate my usual dog walks - I’m on the wait list for an operation to fix prolapses and yesterday I’m not sure what happened but things seem to have suddenly got worse and I’m supposed to be returning to my job in a month - surviving in statutory sick pay. My only saving grace is that I have to drive at 5

Good luck for the surgery on Monday.

Morning all - been up a long while but had commitments first thing. I tried alcohol free wine for the first time last night - it's really not for me as I found myself expecting the same 'hit' and wanting the real thing! Does anyone have suggestions for a 'nice' early evening drink?
I slept badly last night but then I always do after a bottle of wine so I guess it's going to take a while! Keep going, folks.

@Crazeechick I've never heard anything good about AF wine (taste wise). I like AF beers but given what you said about the iwne, that potentially won't work for you. In terms of soft drinks, I like;

Fizzy water or half fizzy water half fruit juice of fizzy water and posh ginger cordial
Tonic and Orange juice (they balance each other nicely so it's not too sweet)
Kombucha (not too sweet and very satisfying)
Coke zero (although I don't have this often as I don't feel it's very healthy)

Yeah we have dreary weather here too ☔️

Sorry to hear you're going through it, sounds painful. I wonder what has caused that change? Have you contacted your gp?

Well done you for getting to day 3 when you have reasons making you wanting to pick up the bottle 👏🏻