Dry Jan 2026- anyone care to join in?

[BigButtons]

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.

I’m finding it really easy, albeit boring.

Surprising as I was drinking loads in December. I don’t feel any different, nor am I sleeping any better or worse. I always feel a bit disappointed every dry January that it doesn’t have any noticeable benefits. Probably internally it does, but I wish I could feel evangelical about it.

well done everyone- even if you are damp rather than dry! All welcome 🙂

Day 11 check in - stuck to the plan yesterday, I was driving, DH had a few beers. We were out all day with family from early and had a lovely day. Was in bed by 10pm as I was exhausted.

Very surprised that I've managed two weekends without a sneaky wine. My record in the past Dry Jan's is 13 days so I'm on course to beat that.

Didn't make it to the gym as planned this morning but took DDog for a longer walk so at least I've done something!

I definitely agree with the wine defining the weekend comment made by@Strikethepower. Friday nights are usually about what time I can open the wine, quite often the same on a Saturday and then also sometimes a Sunday afternoon - and it has to be earlier on a Sunday as we're up early the next day. Its about changing the routine for me rather than craving the actual alcohol. The little buzz from your first glass is lovely though, but anything after isn't the same.

I didn’t start properly until 5th Jan but I had my first dry weekend. I bought some nice fizzy presse and had it in a wine glass so it felt like a treat!

Well, I’ve found it easy so far, but have to say that’s because I’ve not felt so great for about a week now and yesterday I came down with a terrible cold, so alcohol has been the last thing on my mind. I’ve no appetite either, so the weight I wanted to lose is falling off. I’d like to report feeling great and having better skin because of being alcohol-free, but I’m ill and my skin is dreadful because I’m ill! I’m sure my liver is looking better though!

Well done everyone, second weekend in the bag👏

Day 15 for me today. I’m missing some aspects of alcohol which is odd because I only drink a couple of large glasses of wine twice a week.

I feel better on weekend mornings for not drinking, more energy and no headaches so I really need to stick with this. I think it’s a habit like any other that I just need to break.

Still going strong here. Long may it last

Second weekend in the bag! Wish I could say im glowing but feeling pretty run down tbh. Very headachy and tense 😕. Know wine would make it undoubtedly worse though.

I’m little later starting than some (I started last Monday) and have just completed my 7th dry evening. This is a big accomplishment for me because I had got into the very bad habit of drinking wine almost every evening for the last year or so. It’s so good not having that feeling of guilt in the morning and for the first time in ages I’m actually sleeping through the night. I had been waking up in the middle of the night unable to fall asleep again for hours. I thought I was in the perimenopause and that could be the cause. I now realise it was the drink. I feel less anxious as well.

Day 11 done!
I am really surprised at myself - the enthusiasm is crazy! Haha

Bit of an headache today but still at it.

Well done all.

Well done everyone. I’m still not feeling any benefits beyond being fresher in the mornings but I don’t think I’m drinking enough water. Still not sleeping well and a bit annoyed about that as I look forward to better sleep!!

Anyone losing weight? To my surprise I've lost 1.3kg since the 1st Jan. Probably more to do with not stuffing myself with post Christmas leftovers but a happy side effect nonetheless.

I stopped drinking at the end of September and haven’t had a sip since. I feel so much better and more put together. I smash goals and projects and feel I have so much more free time.

If you’re considering turning away from alcohol I would highly recommend.

That could be the absence of the sugar usually found in the alcohol. Sugar withdrawal often leads to headaches etc.

Found this Sunday evening a bit hard, tbh - I really wanted to have a glass of wine or two in that pre-supper slot. I got through it by sitting down and getting into a book for half an hour. I'd really like to try to re-programme my brain to accept that as a good way to mark the end of a day - I love reading, but can't always find time to do it. It was good to start Monday without feeling at all fuzzy, though - there have been too many Mondays in the past where I realistically have done remarkably little work in the morning because I had several glasses of wine the night before.

@Nothungrycat I know that Monday morning feeling well. Its funny because I feel like I enjoy a drink more on a 'school' night than the weekend.

Was quite tempted last night, being brutally honest I almost opened the wine but I also had a bottle of AF wine in the fridge so we gave that a go and it wasn't bad. Pleased with myself this today that I stayed on track and also slept really well.

Haven't lost any weight yet @Eyesopenwideawake that might be something to do with the tea and biscuits I'm consuming! Going to make an effort to eat better this week so we'll see....

Checking in, evening! Day 12 here.

Anyone feeling any major benefits yet?

I’m enjoying not waking up with HO dressed as exhaustion but still tired esp from poor sleep.

I’m finding that I get more done in the evenings now I don’t sit down with a glass of wine. I’m not deliberately dieting (though I do need to lose weight) but with increased pottering, lots of water and no calories from wine I’ve lost 6lb so far this year. That’s a great incentive for me to keep going.

I wish I could say yes but I don’t think so!

I was definitely feeling better till I woke up this morning with a headache. Hoping its just a glitch and I will continue to do better.
I am enjoying the epic dreams though

Hi. I felt a lot better up until yesterday but then started getting headaches too, which I rarely get. Found last night hard after a stressful day. Having renovations done and it's hitting the three month mark. Wanted so badly to crack open the wine and relax with the fire and tv but resisted the temptation knowing I'd be only fooling myself (live alone). Sleep has improved (fitbit user) but woke up groggy today. Have lost a few pounds in weight but also doing SW. Well done to pp who's lost 6lb so far. That's a massive incentive to keep going. We are almost half way there !!!. Think how much we'll enjoy that first glass of wine in February? Or will we? Keep going ladies

The major benefit for me is that it's making the diet I've also started much more achievable!!

I had a bad day yesterday - came off worst in an argument with a Rottie at work and needed stitches. I was Soooo tempted to drown my sorrows yesterday evening but I resisted. Disrupted sleep last night because it was sore means I do not feel great today.

Well done for staying strong after an argument with a Rottie!
Day 14 tomorrow and an AF birthday for me. Hopefully.