Brave Babes Battle Bus

[Halleberry]

New thread girlies as the other was about to run out ... Hope you all find this one xxx

How are you feeling this morning, Elba?

Hi mrs I'm ok thanks, quite bright actually. Just seem to loose the plot in the evenings a bit. How are you doing?

Just got to get through another 11 hours at work now...

Sorry everyone, acting (and feeling) a bit like a toddler I know

Glad you felt a bit brighter this mornin, you are doing so well. Today is day three and so far it is ok. Have a box of Becka blue in just in case, but there has also been half a bottle of prosecco in fridge since monday and I haven't touched it...I haven't been able to pour it away either though. I signed up to drink aware app and that looks like itight help, being able to mark off days I don't drink. Still thinking about trying a self help book like Carr or vale but don't know which one. How's everyone else? Ma are you ok?

Glad you're feeling brighter Elba, well done you x
Day 5 here. Tomorrow and Saturday will be hard for me, I think I'm going to do my grocery shop online as I don't trust myself if I actually go into tescos.
Hope everyone else is okay too x

Hello everyone

Elba you have reached Day 4 and you've probably recently finished work, you're tired, probably hungry and you'll be at Day 5 tomorrow. By Day 7 you will really be able to feel the effects of not drinking. Your sleep will begin to sort it's self out, I truly think that it takes 7 days to get the toxins from alcohol out of your system. You are doing so so well. You can do this. Things will look different tomorrow, think how clear headed you will feel. Make yourself something yum to eat, have a bath, get some clean PJs on and distract yourself with anything you fancy. Don't let that bitch of a wine witch get you. Big hugs x

spanna I caved as soon as I got in. But it was a decision I made long before that, even this morning I think I knew I'd do it. Everything in your post makes sense and now I'm a bottle and and a bit down and remembering that there is something nice about going to bed sober instead of sitting here wondering at what point I stop. Sorry, feel like I'm letting you down. I am so so grateful for your support ️xxx

Weird irrational thought for the day...six months ago I posted here as I was terrified I couldn't do one day without drinking (genuinely couldnt!) now I can and it is also terrifying.

Aged about 21/22 I did a dry month (February i think...the shortest!) and attempted the odd dry day as I had realised things were out of control. But I first started drinking heavily, aiming to get drunk at about 14, probably daily at 16 and can vividly remember going to college hungover on a regular basis at 17.

I'm pretty sure from 18 it was a minimum of a bottle of wine a day, very often more.

So my whole adult identity is based around drinking...I've never been a sober adult. I was barely ever a sober teenager! I don't think I've ever sat an exam without a hangover, I've worked crazy hours hungover...there's so much more to give up than a glass of wine or two.

mrs sounds like you're doing fab. I use the drink aware app too. If you're honest with it (I wasn't for ages!) it's great and has given lots of motivation x

soot hope day 5 has been ok x

Elba my darling, you haven't let me or anyone else down !!! I had a feeling that you would.
I too had been drinking since I was 12, in fact I had my first ever sober birthday since I was 12 at the end of March I completely understand the 'all of my adult life' ditto here too. It is very different being completely sober - everything is very real & raw, there is no booze to hide behind
You did 4 days no-one can take that away and you know you can do it. The body and mind react in very different, strange, ways. Your body will feel weird the longer you are sober, as it's getting used to not being topped up with booze. You have come so far since you first got your ticket on the bus. I admire your courage, you will start to uncover the Elba who is lurking behind the mist of booze, she is there and keeps having a little peek through the smog. Big hugs and please be kind to yourself today

Ma how's it going? you're going through so much stuff at the moment, you are a kind, sensitive and generous Babe. I can only imagine how difficult it is at work at the moment. You have done everything you can and I know, will do everything in your power to try and sort it out. The work you do is a Godsend to the people you work with and I really admire you Please try and be kind to yourself xxx

Joey you on Day 30 yet? How's it going? I think we need to let our hair down, party on the bus tonight? Choose an era Babe and let's spin some tunes...... seriously Joey you are doing amazingly well, keep on keeping on x

Soot well done lovely keep going - tonight will be a challenge, that 'fuck it, it's Friday feeling' Get prepared, have some plans, nice food and lovely soft drinks, distract, distract, distract....x

Wry where are you?

Isinde we miss you, please check in x

Beaches I don't care if you're getting blind drunk every night (I know you're not) but please come out, come out wherever you are. Selfish as it sounds 'I need my Beaches fix' I hope all ok

Baby darling, just hugs my friend, please remember you are awesome

Claret hello lovely, have a good day darling x

Sorry not to NC you all. Friday can be a nightmare, the WW will get you by the throat and try to force you to have that first drink, she's a sneaky cow and does this without you even realising - don't let her, tell her to fuck off and think about how good Saturday will be

Morning all.

How is everyone feeling today? I've ordered in my Diet Coke and crisps for tonight to see me through, and I've got lots of crafty projects planned in for the weekend to keep me going.

I'm also considering doing a Masters degree. I'm equal measures of shitting bricks and Squuuueeeeeeee excited.

Spanna thanks Babe, I needed that. 2 weeks to go til I reach my target, and yesterday I was starting to feel a bit deflated (hormonal teenager not helping) thinking there's nothing to look forward to, no little pick-me-up... I need to find something that will cheer me up, preferably not chocolate.

How are you doing?

Morning all. Nice and sunny here. I am very cross with myself for not having an AF day this week. Completely let myself down.

elba well done for the four days, it shows great strength to achieve that, and shows what you can do when you put your mind to it. Next time maybe try 5? You did really really well and I am proud of you.

ma, baby, and all of you lovely lot, for you.

spanna, your advice to elba was so heartfelt, and I love the analogy of peeping through the smog.

soot that sounds very exciting! What are you planning to do your masters in? I did one to try and compensate for the fact that i got a rubbish result for my degree, obviously down to too much drinking and it was lots of hard work, but I really enjoyed it and it was worth it in the end...

Joey I had my fill of hormonal teenager this morning, DD2 (12) simply being tres vile my trouble is I seem to forget who is the adult & who is the child Set me up all wrong for today
Isn't it amazing what we can achieve when we put our minds to it? I have a secret addiction for marmalade on toasted soda bread, still getting my sugar hit but tis not chocolate

Morning Lala there's no point in beating yourself up. Are you planning for AF day today? I have also fucked up so many things thru booze I really cringe when I think of the things I've done (or not done) over the years I'm 49 But they're done and although it's hard not to have any regrets I'm trying
Soot huge admiration for doing a Masters Go for it Babe. Twill be an amazing achievement
Bye for now Babes xxx

Morning all, great posts spanna, you have been sober some time haven't you? So you mind me asking Sid it take many attempts to get where you are now? I feel like I have been trying properly a few years, my beat spell was about twenty days last year but just once. Usually it's just everyday drinking. Am so fed up of the not sleeping and anxiety and writing off the whole day tillstart drinking again to feel better. Elba, to do four whole days when just months ago you couldn't do one, well just think of what an achievement that is. You have just had a blip x

Agree with mrs, go elba! You can do it babe, we are a rooting for you. And again, mrs, I completely understand the cycle.

spanna I am going to try. I am full of good intentions, and very good at dishing out advice and coping strategies, just not so good at taking it myself. Sigh. I should be married with a mortgage for two years now, had I not screwed it all up.

In other news babes, I was just walking home after my hospital appointment (non alcohol related), and walked past a guy crouching down in a grave yard decanting super strength beer into an energy drinks bottle... I judged him for about five seconds, until I realised that I am guilty of having done the same thing, wine into lemonade bottles, vodka into water bottles. Makes me feel so sad. I don't want to end up being that guy...

soot go for it with the masters!! Is this day 6 for you now? You're doing great, and sound so determined.

lala keep going lovely. Get the odd af day under your belt...weirldy I've realised a bit of me actually looks foward to them in a way now. I've done the hiding/ decanting alcohol thing too. Someone at work a couple of years ago was caught drinking vodka from a water bottle...there was a lot of judgement cast from all sides, including me until I realised that it wouldn't take much for me to get to that point. And working with a permanent hangover really isn't much better

mrs yes that cycle is so so familiar. Lovely to have you posting more, and thank you for your encouragement!

spanna your support and wise words to all of us is so so appreciated You have done so well and sharing what you've learnt from your experiences is now helping so many of us. I think 'raw' is exactly how everything feels sober, it's a totally new experience. Almost like an emotional overload.

Drinking last night was totally pointless and compulsive, I was so tired and really would of preferred to go to bed...instead I drank until 3am having been up since 5.30. So that's been most of today ruined yet again. I didn't enjoy it, and having freaked out about eating more when not drinking managed to binge on an entire block of cheddar

Layla, I think we've all done the decanting thing. I've sat there calculating exactly how many units I can drink before I need to drive the next day and drinking exactly the amount that'll just barely keep me legal

Elba, cheddar is made to be eaten en masse. It's actually an insult to the hard working cheese farmers to eat it slice by slice. The only way to eat cheese is by holding a brick of it and biting in. Mmmmmmmmmmmmcheeeeeeeeesssseeeee

MA is in History. I went back to uni a few years ago to get my BA (Open University).

I'm currently drinking Diet Coke out of a wine glass and trying to pretend it's okay.

soot so I've really done the hardworking cheese farmers a favour then

Also done (still do) the calculating units thing for driving, but it's not an exact science and on many occasion that extra glass has snuck in

Keep going tonight, remember you won't ever regret not drinking (my favourite mantra now!). Could you try some alcohol free ciders or beers another time...might feel more like a weekend treat?

Right I'm going to try posting for the 100 millionth time...if this works I'll post properly....

Woohoo I've been reading and trying to post these past couple of days but my phone had other ideas...

elba well done on 4 days. HUGE achievement. Keep at it lovely, you're chipping away at this bit by bit.

soot I say yes to the MA! I have always wanted to do another degree at some point. It's satisfying in a way that nothing else matches.

lala how's pup?

ma you are amazing what you do and it's sad to hear you so down. You have absolutely not failed anyone.

Sorry I can't name check more...worried my stupid phone will loose this post!

Hello, can I rejoin you nice ladies? I know I've been rather hit and miss the past few months but if there's one thing this thread did a few months ago was to give me an outlet and I really feel like I need that now. I've cut my drinking down to one day a week (normally a friday or saturday as work all week with kids so can't risk drinking other days) and I'm not going to give up drinking. A lot has changed since I was last here, I got a full time job which I should e rateful for, but I hate and dread going in and sometimes resigning and living on JSA seems appealing but I can't do that because it seems unfair to do it when I have a job, no matter how much I hate it. I've stopped bothering with my friends due to weeks and weeks of bullying, have got a place on a police course (need to do it to apply in future) but got 4 questions right out of 19 which is terrible in latest exam. I feel like I'm collapsing under the pressure sometimes. Anyway reading this thread has brought back old memories and a tear to my eye, and I'd like to join in even though Im still drinking

Well, this is the first Saturday that Ive woken up sober in many many years. I still did the initial wake up - blind panic - what did I do last night - who do I have to apologise to today. It took a couple of minutes and a slow recall of last night before I twigged that I didn't do anything, so have no need for panic or apologies. I'd like to say it feels good but it doesn't, it feels weird and somehow wrong. I suppose habits I've had for years take a while to go away.

How did everyone else's Friday nights go?

Hi made, are there any books out there that might help you swot up for your next exam? Try not to feel too bad about your score, it's probably stuff you need to study for and be taught beforehand?

Hi made welcome back! Sounds like you're making great progress!

made welcome back. Cutting the drinking back is excellent. Well done.
I had one glass last night and just didn't feel like any more so no hangover this morning. Not sure what to do with my day today. Think I'm lumbered with neice and nephew, which is a bugger as my own dcs are all off doing their thing, so I would have been free!

Morning all

I meant to join you here last night for some AF company but lost track of time playing board games with family. Now, they are a great distraction on a Friday night; we got nibbles and soft drinks and didn't stop til nearly midnight!

Welcome back made, I've been thinking of you and wondering if we'd hear from you again. So glad to know you're ok. Sorry the job's not great but it's not forever, something else will come along x

Halle I've been thinking of you too. It's so hard to namecheck everyone but everyone who was ever here is, and always will be, a brave babe for life