Dry Jan 2026- anyone care to join in?

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Since there doesn’t seem to be a dedicated dry Jam thread I thought I would start one and see if I get any company.
I so need this. Drinking has made me feel sluggish, anxiety ridden and awful. I remembered how great I felt doing it last year but slipped back into old habits far too easily.

Me i love it. I always feel much better for not drinking alcohol.

Can you plan something for Wednesday night? A gym session, meeting a friend for coffee or the cinema etc? Something you have to drive to

I am quite enjoying just heading straight home after work with out the detour to the supermarket to get wine. Its been so cold here that I am very much enjoying my hot chocolate of an evening and my sleep is so much better.
I also like the remedy no sugar kombucha which I started drinking before this my favourite is the wild berry but the lemon and ginger is not too bad either

I’m planning on going for a run. After that I won’t want anything. I am feeling pretty confident and motivated at the moment! ( in reply to @fundays12)

@Buntyforgirls @ThePoshUns Also feeling very smug over here, already planning ahead for the weekend how I can avoid naturally reaching for the wine and I'm feeling good about it.

My sugar cravings aren't as bad now, but I'm not depriving myself if I fancy a little sweet treat.

I mentioned Dry January to a colleague yesterday (haven't told anyone at work i'm doing it) and she was mortified at the thought of even trying.

I definitely get a buzz from being AF at night time. There's actually only a small window i feel deprived for, approx 5pm -7pm, beforesnd after then im totally OK. Slept like the dead last night ! Love all this refreshing sleep !!

Identifying my window was key for me. Mine is 6.30-8.30 pm. After 8.30/9 I feel such relief.

Same here! It's the drive home from work, getting in and showered and into my comfies window that makes me crave a glass of wine. But once we've eaten and are sat on the sofa watching TV / reading then I'm absolutely fine.

Good luck with your run. We have quite a lot of snow here so it's a good excuse for me to not run 😅

I finally had a good night of sleep last night! Woke up feeling pretty good then immediately had an argument with my 15 year old who didn’t want to go to school. I started a strength training class last night so maybe that helped with falling asleep. Parent’s evening (for said stroppy 15 year old) tonight so hopefully can get through it without hitting the bottle….

I have just tried the g spot drink. The green one. It tastes nice and I think it is making me feel a little relaxed .

I also love it when going to bed and can feel pleased with myself. My window is early evening too, I hadn't really thought before that it would be helpful to think of ways to deliberately distract myself - but I'm going to now! Feeling flat today after a high day yesterday, but got through it fine. Quite enjoying hot water with lemon.

Day 6 done for me. I did a really intensive weight training class tonight which I enjoyed. My calories saved on wine are 1106 so far which is unreal.

Well done! Day 6 too and great to know about calories. I've got 0 energy to exercise but im burnt out, which is one of the reasons for me doing DJ

I found that last year and i think it was a combination of detoxing after far to much booze at Christmas and sugar crash. It hit me horrendously hard last year but haven't so much this year. I do drink less than I used to before DJ last year. I also have things in place this year as I was more prepared for it. I have fat free yoghurt mixed with options sachet frozen into little ice trays that are low cal sweet treats. I also have lemon bonbona as it takes me ages to eat 1. Also larger healthier meals with protein and veg to keep me from insulin spikes. Tonight I had a low calorie jelly with a little spray cream.

Well day 6 complete! Well done to the others on this journey too

Was a bit flat today / headache but done it. Sleep well all

First sober night out since last Dry Jan. It was fun, wasn’t tempted, and we didn’t spend long talking about it - that’s the thing I dread the just have one comments, not because I’m tempted, I just find it tedious and a bit rude when people get fixated on it.

Day 6 complete. Still eating more than usual. Feeling well and more alert/productive than even 2 days ago.

Day 7 and feeling good. My face is less puffy already. I've invested in some new skincare to spur me on ha! Week nights aren't a worry for me ad I don't tend to drink but definitely use it for a release on Friday and Saturday nights so thinking about what I can do instead. Good luck all!

Yes I’ve noticed my face is less puffy and eye bags lessening, so that’s a plus. Well done on your night out @Strikethepower that will be a challenge for me , although have no social events planned.

Morning all... Day 7 and i FINALLY had a half decent sleep last night 🥳

@Strikethepower thats amazing, well done!

Day 7. Sleeping well, but still got this low level headache pretty constantly. My craving window is between 3pm and 6pm. I would never normally start drinking until 6pm, but it’s the anticipation which is hard to handle.

Day 7 - kept waking up last night but think it was a blip
According to the dry January app I have saved £65 so far so that's good
Bonus points to me for managing to get up at my alarm every day - when I was drinking it was so easy to go back to sleep then I felt rushed all day

If people get fixated on you doing DJ then its normally because they have an issue with alcohol unfortunately. Its not about your decision but there's.

I think they like things predictable, some people don't like change. But regardless of their reasons, I find it very dull to be on a night out with people who spend time discussing whether I'm right to drink or not to drink - it's not anyone's business, I should be able to say no thanks and move on. It's happened so often now that I find myself not wanting to go out because being challenged on it gives me the rage. This is my 20th Dry Jan, you'd think they'd be over it by now, but thankfully the group of friends I went out with last night passed over it very quickly and got merrily pissed and it was very funny night.