Calling Time on Wine - the next 100 days after the first 100 day reset | Thread 3: Continuing to support and navigate together.

[needastrongone]

As promised, a new thread.

As the title states, this is the third thread. It started for those of us who wanted some support and a safe place to navigate a 100 day alcohol reset. Most of us on the thread wanted more time and space than Dry January to fully reset and maybe reflect more on our relationship with alcohol than one month.

What we also found was the most wonderfully supportive and uplifting set of folk, all with the common intention of being AF from January for 100 days. A few blips along the way for some (including me at the beginning) but for those that have, we’ve tried to understand why they happened and most of us have continued to be AF going forward and managed 100 AF days since January.

We are going for another 100 (we all liked the idea of breaking being AF into chunks of time) and I don’t think it matters one bit if new folk want to climb on board and start from here, we can all offer a friendly and non judgmental place here.

Morning all x have been up since the lark and have got so much done in the house! Done two loads of washing and a house clean, just settling down with a coffee now , such a lovely feeling to feel productive and fresh, usually I wake up begrudgingly on a Sunday, head pounding and eat junk all day!. So this is a great feeling, and one that I really really want to continue.
Had some Af processco last night to try it, it was ok I suppose, just tasted like schloer but it looks the part in a glass if I fancy being sociable!!

@IjustbelieveinMe that sounds really upsetting...you did so well to get through it and to look after yourself so well.

I've just been enjoying a coffee and book in the early Sunday morning air and pondering how much nicer this is than being hungover...

@IjustbelieveinMe I could feel your upset through your post but also feel your strength in putting you and your well being first. Sorry you had that experience and well done on putting you first in difficult times

@SwiftyFifty well done on the weight loss. I can't believe this is our 17th weekend dry, thanks for telling us that number it took me by surprise actually because time has flown by.

Welcome newcomers this is honestly such a lovely and supportive group. Sending you all strength and if you do have a bump blip during your journey don't beat yourself up just try again whenever suits you.

I've had a lovely weekend pottering about in the garden and reading my book. Have the same planned for today. Have a great Sunday everyone.

Congrats to everyone checking off another dry weekend!

Not me but it was preplanned. I'm not sure how I'd say my moderating went. I was tipsy not drunk but I was there about 6 hours total, so I think I consumed more than a sensible moderating amount over that time despite not being completely pissed. I was on soft drinks for the first hour or two because I was thirsty and I had some soft drinks through the evening, which is unheard of for me. I stuck to cider rather than my usual wine or g&t. There's no question that I was more sensible than I was last year.

When I had the first drink it wasn't an "omg this is fantastic" moment. It was just....a drink. Underwhelming really 😂 I was a bit bored before drinking but everyone didn't know each other, so I think it would have got better with or without the booze as everyone was starting to get to know each other.

I was in bed earlier than usual, because I wanted to sleep it off..... Slept terribly. Woke up at 4am sweating and parched and this morning I checked my watch and 3 metrics were out of range last night!! Not hungover today but tired and lethargic, which is annoying considering I was in bed early but just shows how big an impact alcohol really has.

It's made me see that it really doesn't do anything for me. I think once or twice a year is plenty so I'm going to go in for another 100 days.

Hi @Raindancer101 thanks for the update and the insight here's to another 100 days 😊 . I know that my improved sleep was the first and main improvement from stopping alcohol and I don't want to hinder ever again.
Had a really good first day back at work, shattered now so I'm in bed early with a sleepy tea.8

Hi, can I join you with my day 1. Am aware that I drink an unhealthy amount and use it as a tool to treat myself- Thursday nearly the weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I know it messes with my sleep too. Plus I’d like to lose weight!

@Raindancer101 thank you for your detailed feedback on your experience, I found it very interesting to read. Lots of luck on reaching 100 days.

@Icecreamhelps glad to read your day went well for you today.

@Imaginingdragonsagain welcome and good luck on your journey. Have you thought about any ideas to treat yourself with instead of alcohol?

@Raindancer101thanks for the detailed update. I think we put so much emphasis and give so much credit to alcohol and what “ amazing” things it can do ( especially as it’s the one thing we are all denying ourselves) when the reality is underwhelming and then the dreaded early morning wake ups ( sweating and parched etc)
It’s probably a good idea to try it as it will only strengthen your resolve as you realise it’s just not worth it. Was your tolerance much lower than usual? I noticed towards the end of my heavy drinking that my tolerance was getting worse and worse ( apparently a sign of trouble)
As you’ve done so many days up to now you know you can do it again and you have all the support from us here in this group

Hello everyone! After a weekend of drinking I’m joining you for another sober challenge. I’m aiming to not drink until late July, when I go on holiday for a week.

I have drunk on 11 days in April and can honestly say it hasn’t made me happy. Alcohol is a depressant and I can really feel that this month. My mood is downbeat and I have constant low-level worry and anxiety in the background. Drinking just felt a bit pointless really - it didn’t add anything to my life. So why do it? I’m looking forward to getting back on the wagon and feeling calmer and happier.

When I had the first drink it wasn't an "omg this is fantastic" moment. It was just....a drink. Underwhelming really 😂

This is sooo true. I was expecting to feel fireworks, huge satisfaction and really enjoy it, but it was just a drink 🤷‍♀️

Morning all @Raindancer101 its interesting to hear you say how the first drink was a bit underwhelming! I think we put it in a pedestal were we think it's going to taste amazing, how it will bring an instant hit of satisfaction, all our problems will melt away, and it just doesn't does it! It's getting into the mindset that you can have a laugh and a good time without it, and that it is just a liquid at the end of the day, it shouldn't define who we are - but sadly we do let define us, its taking control over that.

@Imaginingdragonsagain w elcome 🤗 this is a lovely supportive group and I'm a relative newbie also ( 16 days!) but it's been great for getting tips and it helps keep your accountability if you're having a wobble!!

@freshstart2026 sorry that you have been feeling anxious and down, here's to your new challenge which your going to be amazing at xx

I’m on day 14 - couple of very strong urges especially in the first week. I told myself that I can spend the rest of my life giving in to urges if I feel like it - ultimately it’s my choice after all - but for today, and until I’ve completed my 100 days, I won’t give in. After each time I’ve woken up next morning so grateful that I resisted and contrasted with how crap I’d be feeling if I had drunk. It’s helping to reinforce the message…
Wishing you all a good week. Stay strong!

@InItToBinIt as we always say on here- no one EVER woke up and thought “ thank God I drank last night”

@freshstart2026 really lovely to see you. Sending you lots of strength and luck. Thank you for your honest experience, like others I sometimes think if I have a few glasses of wine it will make me feel all relaxed whereas it's the complete opposite.

@InItToBinIt I kind of do the same, don't deny myself and say have a drink if you want too and my mind always says no because the thought of a hangover and feeling rubbish holds me back. Suppose its a bit like reverse physiology really. Totally agree with the feeling of gratefulness in the morning it's priceless.

I had a lovely day yesterday in the garden with my book, however I couldn't really switch off and relax at first. I felt like I was being lazy doing nothing. Need to work on giving myself permission to switch off and relax. In all honesty I think it's because I'm not used to being organised and on top of everything, very far from it. In my drinking days I was always running around trying to catch up with everything and constantly under pressure and the drink just made it all worse because I never could catch up. My life isn't perfect by any means but I hope you get the gist of what I mean.

@freshstart2026 good to hear from you hopefully your mood lifts soon. I still and the odd low days rather than big waves it's just ripples now.
@InItToBinIt 2 weeks is a huge milestone, I like how you phrase the choice that it is not to drink rather than you can't drink.

I’m tucked up in bed. My teeth are brushed and I’ve had a relaxing bath. It feels soooo good to be sober, safe, calm and in control. Night all!

Morning all. I’m sleeping so well with really vivid dreams! Just coming on to say Wow ( some of us) are almost four months in. That’s a third of a year!
We are all doing so well on our own journeys. Still wake up relieved and delighted at being not hungover!

Morning @SwiftyFifty I look forward to getting in bed and waking up now. Can't quite believe it's nearly 4 months.
I'm on a tip run today, then I'm giving the fridge a good clear out.
Hi @Imaginingdragonsagain welcome to the group.
I weighed myself the other day and I would like to lose about 10kg. I didn't consider it for the first few months but feel like I can focus on this now.

Morning all xx wow 4 months for some of you is absolutely amazing you guys must feel so proud of yourselves 👏 👏 and it just shows doesn't it that these ingrained deep habits actually can be broken xxx
I've had a terrible headache the past two days and it's not something I suffer with usually, so I'm wondering if it's all my toxins coming out, from not drinking?

Morning @PeacheyPeach the headaches could be a withdrawal symptom, or dehydration. Try an electrolyte drink to see if it eases them.

Morning all! Enjoying a coffee in bed after a good night’s sleep. I finished my diet a month ago now but have kept the 1.5 stone off and am still at my goal weight. I haven’t been doing anything in particular to maintain it either, other than drinking less of course. I’m really proud.

I was thinking, one reason I miss drinking is because without alcohol, there’s no escapism. But I’m not even entirely sure what I’m trying to escape from 🤷‍♀️ If I had to pinpoint something it would be low level anxiety of what might be round the corner. I guess without alcohol I just need to learn to live with that. And hope that because life is more positive generally without alcohol, the anxiety reduces.

Try Lucy Wyndham Read on YouTube - she is really lovely and calm; her workouts are short and perfect for beginners and the unfit.

Morning all, checking in on day 120!! WOW 🤩
4 months on and I’m a different person altogether. I often pass the wine isle and smile to myself. It’s doesn’t draw me in and I’m thankful for that! This coming weekend is going to be a real test.. we are off on tour with the rugby team - lots of drinking will be involved. I’m feeling quite apprehensive about how I navigate this without going completely off the bloody rails. Do I have one to be polite or decline and steer clear. There’s some big drinkers amongst us so the peer pressure will be massive. My head is telling me not to even have one - don’t open the flood gates and press the fuck it button. Take a book and get to bed early. ☺️