200 days alcohol-free- the second thread!

[FeelingLessTired]

Hello!

1000 messages snuck up on me on the first thread!!

@Goandygo

@paintcolourchart

@88expertprocastinator

any anyone else who wishes to join or return you are MOST welcome.

The aim is 200 days AF and/or beyond. There is no judgment here and we are supportive of all of us who wish to change their relationship with alcohol.

I stopped at Day 43 and have been drinking since then but am committed to getting back on this wonderful wagon.

Look forward to the next thread with all our wonderful MNetters.

Hello all, sorry it's been a busy week! Had one glass this week while being away so not going to lose any sleep over it!

I have been tempted a couple of times though, and I've discovered an unexpected tool.. has anyone used ChatGPT to help them?

I used it last week when I was feeling anxious and worrying about health stuff after my heavy night of drinking, and it was amazing for talking me down and rationalising my thoughts. Then the other night I asked it if I should have a glass that wine night, just to see what it said (on a different night to the night I did actually have one) and it's response was really good

THEN, I asked the same question in the existing chat I had after my heavy night, where I'd already told it I wanted to quit, and the response was absolutely amazing.

Obviously I know it's a computer, and not a real person, and sometimes it is absolutely rubbish, but I'd definitely recommend starting 'chat' where you tell it you want to quit and how you feel afterwards etc then if you get a craving tell it, it might help rationalise your thoughts too

@paintcolourchart that's brilliant and if it works for you, why not.
I've heard of people using it as an emotional help tool, yes.
All good here.
This week ( and last), I've been given a few bottles of wine at work. Last week I was able to give them straight to my sister. This week I can't so I've brought them home.
Had 2 glasses of red last night - really enjoyed, no urge to smoke. Just made sure I ate.

Love that.

Day 1. Dear Lord.

But- I'm still trying.

Love to you all. I'll read what I have missed.

Welcome back @FeelingLessTired it’s not the same without you! So I wasn’t the hairdressers yesterday and managed to turn down a baileys and coffee - thought about it all day tho…. Then DH came home -he finished work for his Xmas leave and downed a bottle of wine - that put me right off,

@paintcolourchart what s great tip - if I get desperate for a baileys laced coffee I’ll give it a go…

@Goandygo well done for managing and not smoking! Maybe you’re getting the hang of this.

My day out cancelled as friend can't get her head off the pillow ( so many folk ill ).
@88expertprocastinator I remember being at the hairdressers ( last Christmas), and they offered me the same. I declined and I wasn't even trying to abstain/ moderate.
Sometimes I think I can't have been that bad - I'd have accepted surely if I had a problem! Then I remind myself that at other times, I really was quite bad.

Oh thats weird - my reply got hidden! I'm sure it will appear eventually.

Still hidden. I was just saying Hi, and Day 2.

Although I did mention a certain AI programme, so maybe that triggered an auto hide?

Hope everyone is well and fine

@FeelingLessTired don't be so hard on yourself. You're still still here and still trying, the rest will come. It's not easy - you only need to hang around on the Alcohol Support board to see we aren't the only ones struggling. Hang on in there.

How do you feel about enjoying your two glasses of red @Goandygo? Well done for not going overboard!

Last night I had some disarrono while I sorted the kitchen out. I paced it carefully and knew when to stop. Was up for a walk first thing this morning with my friend. If that was wine I'd have gotten carried away. What is it about wine?!

@88expertprocastinator I do think AF is the way to go. After a while the mental gymnastics just stop. I remember that from the summer and I'm keen to go back to it.

I've decided I will have some wine on Christmas Day with Christmas dinner. Haven't decided about NYE yet but I'm going to use the new year to get back to abstaining. I feel like I'm ready now 👊 I'm going to put a timetable together with my friend for morning swims and morning walks for after Christmas, that'll really help as there's no way I'd do those after wine.

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!!

@paintcolourchart I'm with you regarding abstaining in the new year.
I did enjoy the 2 glasses of wine but the problem is I then get a taste for it, and it slowly creeps back into my life.
I don't want it in my life. I agree @88expertprocastinator abstaining is the way forward.
I felt brilliant af. Sometimes a little flat, but I'm getting ok with that.
@FeelingLessTired well done on Day 2. Don't be too hard on yourself - it's a difficult time of the year. And getting back on track after a few blips is the hardest thing to do. I learnt that after my holiday.
Keep trying, folks. We're all doing our best 💪 ❤️

morning everyone! OP here but on my phone so using my other login. Day 3. Feeling good! I’m Christmas shopping today and thinking hard about the fact I won’t be spending mega bucks on booze!! Hope everyone is well. Xx

Morning @FeelingLessTired@StillFeelingTiredand everyone else.

Happy to read your positivity! Also feeling positive today too - woke up early and went for a swim and sauna first thing with a friend. We are going to make it a regular thing combined with our walks. That'll definitely help me keep off the wine the night before!

Hope everyone has a good week!

@Goandygo i definitely get the feeling a bit flat - I do feel like this sometimes and especially when out with drinking friends - I guess if that’s the only downside I’ll just have to take it.
@FeelingLessTired woohoo you're back and killing it - great to see.

@paintcolourchart ineed to get back into planning my time better and doing new stuff - I’m just sort of recovering from my travels (lazing around) but need to get going doing stuff. Restarting yoga after Xmas which usually keeps me out of trouble but really need another hobby to keep me occupied when the weather is bad- not remotely artistic but happy to take any suggestions….

@88expertprocastinator folk on here rave about Adult paint by numbers. There's some brilliant packs available.
I saw one where you send a special photo and they give you the exact colours to paint it ( by numbers).
I'm thinking of getting one for father's day, from my granddaughter.
You don't need to be a painter obviously - keeps your hands busy.
I also read about cross stitch a lot. I don't think I'd have the patience for that. Would probably drive me to drink 😏

Morning all and Merry Christmas! Hope you all had a lovely day whether it was dry or not. Mine was damp but I didn't go overboard so pleased with that.

@Goandygo I have recently-ish taken up cross stitch! I'm always rubbish at getting it out but once I do I really enjoy it. Same with knitting (also fairly recent). Next I'd like to tackle crochet as I would love to make a crocheted blanket and now my evenings have freed up after all that study I'm looking forward to getting started. I love the paint by numbers idea - I've seen those photo ones but I'm not sure my skill are up to scratch!

Happy Boxing Day everyone (is that a thing? 😅).

Happy Christmas, everyone. Hope you all had a lovely day yesterday.
Mine was just gorgeous. Granddaughters in the morning - they loved their presents. I got them just the right amount too. Afternoon was with my brother - lovely day ❤️
I had champagne for breakfast and carried on. I've gone completely off track and I'm going to have to get back af on New Year's day.
Today I'm suffering. We're going to Spain tomorrow and I've not even got the mental capacity to pack.
Shall we start a new thread and aim for 100 days in the first instance?
I think we can do it 💪 ❤️

@Goandygothat sounds like a great idea - when shall we start? Are going for New Year's Day....? 100 sounds good and more achievable than 200. I'm tempted to maybe suggest even 50 to begin with? Just to get us all started? I personally haven't made 100 yet so that feels a bit daunting, but I have done 60 odd so I know I can do 50 if that makes sense. What does everyone else think?

@paintcolourchart yeah I'm ok with 50 to start. Dry January first.
It'll be one day at a time for me anyway 😣

I’m on day 166.
I definitely think the key is to absolutely plough on through day in day out.

A slip up breaks the seal and it all comes tumbling down making it harder each time. Once that seal is broken it’s just too easy to think tomorrow I’ll stop again.

This first Christmas has been hard but I’m pleased with myself even though I’ve had to dig deep inside to constantly choose the AF options. I would love to have some wine but I won’t succumb.

@Kipperandarthur well done on Day 166. Your tenacity is amazing and I appreciate your straightforward words of wisdom.
You're so right - it does get harder each time.
I was doing so well and I felt better than ever. I think I got to 175.
I know getting back on track is going to be difficult. Even though I want it, I know it'll be a struggle. But I think I can do it, especially with the help and support of others.

Whilst I don’t post on here much I do read it daily and I knew how well you were doing and the long stretch you had done. You were mentioning that you were feeling better and good about it all.

it resonated with me when I was struggling at how well you were doing. I then remember when you broke that seal and wondered how it would be for you. It’s such a slippery slope that makes it harder.

Believe me I’m aware that it’s something that has to be constantly worked on and I wonder how long it takes to feel at peace with it all and no longer tempted.

I’m on holiday and it’s completely changed the entire evening dynamics of the holiday and I’m having to address it all every evening.

Yes, I used to read about people who go to AA meetings everyday. It always seemed a bit extreme ( possibly not the right word), but I understand it now.

Hi all,

Ive been ill most of Christmas with the lurgy so have not been online much. Feeling better today.

I'm happy to start again with any day count people feel works for them.

Morning all. Right today is my day 1. I'm not waiting for 1st Jan and we've now made other plans that include driving and waking DS up for midnight which sounds much more appealing than staying home with a bottle of wine. I proved to myself once again last night that I do n't stop when I should. DH said about dry Jan last night before we had a glass of wine and then said about a dry 2026, so he's on board too.

How's everyone doing? @FeelingLessTiredhope you're feeling better

I’m on holiday and whilst the beginning of holiday was really challenging as it’s the first holiday in over 40 years without alcohol, I’m now in the swing of it.

It has changed the dynamics of the evenings but overall it’s manageable and fabulous not having tiredness, headaches or hangovers. Dinners are also much cheaper in the restaurants!

Day 169 here. Really looking forward to a time when I don’t even think about it. Wonder when that day will be.