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.

@FeelingLessTired aahhh it's not easy, but if you've had more af days than usual, that's progress.
Even if you've only had a few more, it's still a good effort. I always think just by recognising it's an issue, that's progress !
The holiday has been great. Different as we were going to Jamaica etc and different because we're with others, but it's been lovely.
I'm looking forward to going home - getting back af properly and shedding some pounds.

Pleased the holiday is going well. xx.

Have a safe return.

I just read something that fits 'Going alcohol-free is simple. You don't drink alcohol. But simple doesn't mean easy'.

It's true.

I have managed to hurt my back on the school run this morning. Thankfully I am having an at-home day so have taken ibuprofen and am watching cheesy Christmas movies.

Best wishes to everyone on the thread.

Hi @Goandygo and @FeelingLessTired. Holiday sounds lovely but hurt back doesn’t - I like your approach to recovery and may well watch a Xmas movie today.

sorry to hear you’re struggling lately but holidays and life sometimes do get in the way. I wouldn’t restart counting and would just count af days - all of them were hard and we should celebrate them. The struggle of whether to remain af forever goes on but I have definitely not ruled out a glass of wine on odd occasions if that is what I want. My goal was to reset my drinking habits and I’ve done that. I no longer crave alcohol or look at the clock constantly waiting for 6 or 7pm.

I will be at 10 months in 2 days and am very grateful for the changes in all parts of my life that being af has allowed me to make. You both have changed so much too so try to embrace that and focus on your successes. Maybe the next part for us all will be learning how to live healthily with alcohol.

@88expertprocastinator thank you so much for your lovely words and encouragement. You always make so much sense.
I'm not disappointed in myself because I know I'm trying my best.

....sorry....got cut off.
Yes, I'm doing my best, as we all are. Really proud of how far I've come, and how I've reevaluated my relationship with alcohol. Even on holiday after the Bad Day, I didn't stay on the treadmill. Which is something I always thought I'd be in danger of doing if I had a blip.
So proud I jumped off it !

Morning folks, hope you're all ok.
Feeling great today and so positive.
I've decided to start again so today is day 1. Yesterday I had a small glass of wine with lunch. Not much I know, and I didn't carry on, on the plane so that's a positive, but I want to start afresh.
I'm taking everything I learned in those 165 days with me, going forward. Especially how great I felt.
Good thing for me is the wine witch isn't harassing me, telling me I can't do.
I can 💪

Whatever way you count it, you’ll soon be at 200 days! Great that the wine witch is staying away - I’m interested to hear if you have any increased thoughts in the next couple of weeks!

@88expertprocastinator you are 10 months tomorrow 🥳
Will you mark it in anyway?
When I hit 150 days, I went shopping with a budget of £150 🤣
Wine Witch is definitely staying away. I think we've parted company.
It struck me what you posted about focusing on the changes we've made. On the flight home it didn't occur to me to drink, and even when home, I often drank to 'continue' the holiday. That seems strange to me now.

@88expertprocastinator congratulations on your 300 days. Its an absolutely brilliant achievement ❤️

Morning all,

I'm back! It's been an insane few weeks but the bulk of my study stuff is over with now. I wasn't 100% dry but nowhere near my previous habits. I had two weeks dry before my final exams and then had some Prosecco and wine after my last exam. But the difference is this time I did question whether I wanted it or not, before it would have just been a given.

Anyway. I'm ready to get back on the AF train now. It does me no favours at all and yesterday I was feeling anxious for no reason at all - could this have been the wine even 2 days later? I've wondered that before over the last few months. On the odd occasion I have had some I've noticed I've felt anxious 2 days later...

@Goandygo You've done incredibly well since starting, and it sounds like the holiday blip hasn't set you back, so no harm done really! How are you feeling about it now?

I've just worked out I've had 144 of the last 160 days AF and the most important part is I still want to carry on, so I'm super happy with that. I'm hoping it will be easier now the huge study stressor is basically out of the way., as I know stress is a huge trigger for me.

Been following but not posting, looking forward to joining you all properly again!

Hope everyone is ok. Happy Saturday everyone!!

@88expertprocastinator 300 days is amazing!!! Not too far off a year now!

@paintcolourchart wow your post came at just the right time.
You've done so well so far - 144 out of 160 is really good, especially with everything you've had on your plate. Glad the bulk of it is over, and so interesting, the Questioning part. Shows progress definitely.
I'm wobbling today. My sister/partner in crime just asked if I wanted to go out. I was sorely tempted but like you, I've questioned it.
So I'm staying in. It wouldn't benefit me in any way.

I've actually had 170 days dry.
Yes, the blip on holiday, but overall, pleased. Mustn't forget that ❤️

It’s great to see everyone back and keen to get on with it again. I’ve been away from home for nearly 8 weeks now and a few more to go. I’m staying with family who generally don’t drink and it’s all felt so easy. I do however have a nice image in my head of getting home and sitting by the fire with a lovely glass of red wine or champagne. I may substitute water in the end but it’s a thought I still enjoy.

Morning, all.
@88expertprocastinator it's a lovely image, but I'd have to start substituting it with a hot chocolate and a mince pie. Otherwise that seed is planted 😣.
Bad day for me yesterday. Lovely day with the grandchildren but I was craving wine. Although I say this and my sister later messaged to say she was popping to tesco, did I want anything. I could easily have requested wine but I didn't. Feel good today, too, after a great sleep.
We've booked to a short break post Christmas, 3 days, then home for New Year when we've booked hiking again.
I worked out the break is 40 days away, and I'm day 7 so...I will drink on my break, I will definitely moderate.

@Goandygo well done for abstaining!

DH is away this week so that's an easy no from me. It's funny how it's just easy to switch off when he's away, I just don't even contemplate it!

@paintcolourchart another wobble yesterday - bullet dodged. I feel fine today, back to my usual self. I know I can't go back to how I was.
Yes, you said you don't drink when dh is away. Very sensible - not like I was 😣

Morning, folks. How are we all doing?
Day 10 today, and 175 sober days ( in this country!).
I'm having a few wobbles still, but I'm back to the beginning mentality of one hour at a time.
Really didn't think Christmas would trigger me. We've got a couple of outings planned but I'm not even sure they're happening, so I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
Hope you're all OK.
As much as I don't really like Christmas, apart from the grandchildren aspect, I really love New Year, so maybe we can all join forces and attack 2026 with gusto ❤️🙏

I’m actually quite excited to have a sober New Year’s Eve for once! @Goandygo keep it up - you’ve got this

Morning/afternoon all, sorry being a bit rubbish on here still!

Just hopping on quickly to say Alcohol Free Magic on Instagram has got some very interesting responses/ways to deal with declining an alcohol drink when you're out and don't want one. It's in the stories so I think it'll only be available today to see.

morning everyone! I’ve had a stressful few weeks and it made me think about drinking quite often, but I kept asking myself how a hangover and especially the increased anxiety would help the situation. Luckily cravings have subsided after an hour and thoughts moved on. Day 197. Well done and good luck to everyone on this journey over Christmas

@hannah258 wow, well done on Day 197 - that's brilliant. And also for your mental 💪.
I caved Friday and had 1 bottle of wine - I was thinking I was missing out.
Well, safe to say, I'm missing nothing. Hangover was awful.
I'm now concentrating on a Dry December.

The last time I tried to stop (lasted approx 130 days) I really thought I was missing out, had some drinks, didn’t really enjoy them but carried on anyway. I then had a terrible hangover the next day and increased anxiety which wasn’t good. I remind myself of that now whenever I get the urge, it’s just not worth it and I know if I hold out, the craving will subside

Hi all- checking in briefly so I don't lose the thread entirely.

I'm still here, still trying. Still falling at hurdles.

@FeelingLessTired don't put too much pressure on yourself. You're trying and that's all you can do ❤️
I honestly didn't think December would present a problem. But it's everywhere I look !
I'm back to taking one day at a time. If I slip up, I'll learn from it, but I'm not beating myself up.
I've done well overall. I think we all have, wherever we are on the ladder.