dry september

[raspberrytart]

Good Morning.Wondered if there was a dry september thread going?Thanks

I know this is going to sound bad but I was getting to a point where I couldn't actually remember going to bed on a night, partly down to how tired I was but partly down to the alcohol too.

I love it at the moment, going to bed at 8.30, reading a good book or doing some sewing. It feels like proper clean living.

I'm getting a bit evangelical about it too if I'm honest.

I just made it through a networking event without partaking of any of the free booze (or food).

Go me! :)

Left early, admittedly. But had done all the networking I was going to do.

Day 3, not feeling tempted to drink tonight but tomorrow won't be so easy. I have a pile of work to do so just keep reminding myself that it'll be far easier to tackle with a clear head - and I must not reward myself with wine when I finish it!

I think it's quite an eye opener for me that 3 days feels like an accomplishment! I'm almost ashamed to admit that to my dh - he hardly drinks at all. I haven't even mentioned to him that I'm laying off.

I made it through last night and slept ok! Amazing! Tonight will be hard because dh is going out and I would normally have enjoyed a couple of glasses with a film once ds was asleep. I'll have a bath and an early night instead!
Well done everyone, keep going

Morning all, glad you slept well Cat

I slept like a log, and caught up on the missing zzzzzz from Wednesday night. Feel a bit wooly headed this morning, but have a coffee ready to go. The weather is quite muggy here too, which gives me a sore head.

Cat I found it hard to break habits like that. I am not so bad on weeknights but at the weekend I have loads of triggers on tv- like when Graham Norton always has a glass of wine beside him (so I have one too )

To get round it, I try to have something alcohol-free in the fridge. I like to have something like tonic water and lime- it's not the same as having a soft drink and it tastes more "grown-up"... I nearly convince myself there is gin in it On the old thread there were a lot of AF beers mentioned, and posters were getting into Pressés and the like

ducky I agree, onto day 4 now and I feel like I've accomplished something which is sort of ridiculous...I haven't told my h either as I know he'll try and sabotage me. It's normal for us to share a bottle of wine, especially weekends, if I make a big deal of not drinking he'll be waving a glass under my nose. So far he's not noticed.

Well Done everyone .
We have a busy social weekend so will see how I get on without a drink. Ive offered to drive sat pm which will be easier than not driving. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

I'm still going ok but knew that these last few nights and tonight would be easy as DH has been away. Tomorrow night will not be so easy! I might let myself have my weak low alcohol white wine soda. Will see how I feel!

I've been sleeping well. Hate that feeling waking up at 3am with dry mouth and heart pounding and feelings of self-hatred for drinking so much.

My skin looks much clearer too. Face is def less puffy.

Bon courage all for the weekend! DH and I are going to indulge in good food with fuzzy water to distract from lack of wine. Feeling good overall.

My DH has gone on a stag weekend, I've just got the kids in bed and would normally be reaching for a cold beer.

Ohhh it's lucky I don't have any in.

I was on the Dry June thread and it changed my habits completely. I've ended up not drinking Mon - Thu and cutting down on weekends as well, and I've stuck to that - except for last week when we were on holiday in Greece when I did drink every day, but very moderately.

I think doing the Dry June has changed my habits for good. Taking a month off really did reset my habits and the benefits are ongoing - better sleep, better skin and oh yes, far fewer hot flushes too. For all of you who are just starting this - do it, it's brilliant.

I'm going to carry on as I am and do a dry January after Christmas - twice a year feels about right to me.

I'm so glad I found you guys. I'm in! I started on Sunday so this is day 6. After a couple of restless nights of weird dreams (anyone else get that?), my sleep is settling down, and I'm starting to feel the benefits. I'm also from a habitually drinking, and normalising of it, family.

Hi everyone,

Dry Friday night!

I'd normally have a glass or two of wine.

Can't decide if I miss it.

Definitely missed looking forward to it!

DH is back. Arrived home at 9.30 after four days in Eastern Europe on business. Opens his bag and gives me two bottles of wine - a gift for me from a colleague of his who we have had a few big nights out with! I need to get him to hide them I think!

Had my normal cuppa after dinner followed by a glass of water and a peppermint tea before bed. Normal for this week anyway!

I don't really come from a family who normalise it to the extent that I do. My dad drinks but never used to drink at home unless they had friends over or it was xmas. He went to the pub every night though. Mum not a big drinker. I have three sisters - one drinks more than me and the other two only drink on nights out. Neither are wine drinkers.

When I was growing up (working class background) my parents would rarely have wine and if they did it was Blue Nun or Black Tower. Yuck. I had a boyfriend who was middle class and they had wine with dinner every night. Good wine. When I moved to London i started drinking wine more - wine bars in London in the late 80s seemed very sophisticated to me! DH and I have always had a drink before dinner and a bottle of wine with dinner. Most of my friends would do the same.

I think I see wine as a comfort. Def as a crutch. I'm an emotional eater too. And I'm greedy with wine. Don't seem to have an off switch.

And I'm greedy with wine.

Snap

I often kid myself that I feel a bit sluggish on a Saturday morning as I need to recover from a hard week at work, but clearly that's bollocks, as I've had a hard week at work and now I feel bright eyed and ready to go. I love Dry September!!! [need a smug emoticon]

pointy I like your post, it gives me hope. That's what I want to do, reset my habits.

Everyone is doing really well!
However, I am not! Had 2 glasses of wine last night , not enough to give me a hangover but I'm disappointed with myself.
Out tonight and I'm driving.

Museum, you've made me feel loads better knowing I'm not the only one having the vivid dreams, hopefully that will subside as time goes on. Day 5 for me and feeling much brighter than I did a couple of days ago. I didn't think I could do this when I started but now I'm looking forward to my month (and beyond hopefully) of sobriety.

Well I managed a Friday night without a drink! First time in years I imagine.

Thank goodness as well, the kids got me up at 6.30, would've been hell with a hangover.

Pointy I think that's my goal for after dry Sept, to cut down completely on week nights - so glad to hear that worked for you!

Yep, pointy's post us what I am aiming for too.

I'm hoping this reset will also stop me being so greedy with wine, when I do drink it. I'm usually thinking about where the next glass will come from before the current one is finished - not exactly living in the moment!

Well done all, stick with it!

What's everyone drinking instead of da booze? We bought a sodastream recently so have a steady supply of sparkling water, which somehow feels more fun than still. Trying to stick with lemon or lime juice for flavouring and avoid sugary cordials so far, but it's getting a bit boring. Plus cups of tea, herbal and otherwise.

I'm trying not to replace the booze with anything other than water or herbal teas as I'm also doing Slimming World so want to lose weight. Don't want diet soft drinks. And I kind if want to reset the whole having to have a glass on the go at witching hour no matter what is in it. Easy when DH is not here! Certainly during the week I just want to drink water and herbal teas. Might have weak white wine and soda tonight. Low alcohol wine.

Glad I'm not the only greedy wine drinker!

I do have the cordials, but I only have one small wine glass a night - that's still a heck of a lot fewer calories than booze. I also find that something nice in a pretty glass is enough to fool the spirit. My favourite is Bottlegreen Lemongrass and Ginger - it has a real little bite to it.

Got through friday night without drinking, I should be ok tonight as I'm working tomorrow so wouldn't plan to drink anyway. I've not bought any drinks as an alternative to wine, I'm trying to get out of the mindset of thinking I must have a drink to hand on an evening when I'm not really thirsty.

I'm hoping to reset my drinking habits although I'm trying not to be absolutist about this. I've already said I'll allow myself a drink on my birthday although I will try and avoid wine. Last year I did three weeks of dry january and started drinking three weeks in - I instantly reverted back to my old habits, I think because I was very all or nothing about it...