Dry 14

[glad2016]

This is the thread for all those who are living, or committed to living, life free from alcohol.
Go sober warriors !

Hello everyone!!

I've been lurking on mn for a couple of years.

May I join you?

I've been lurking for 2 years ish.

I need to stop drinking for many reasons. I'm going to try n stop today but I know I can't do it alone.

Sorry about repeating myself! Doh!

Hi Bigfat

Welcoe to the thread - I never thought I could do it, and it's not always easy - but with the support of this thread I've made it t 105 days AF...

Take one day at a time, don't worry about being stupidly tired and thirsty (for water!) for the first few weeks.

And lots of us have found apps such as headspace really usefu (me I listen to various sleep hypnosis things on youtube that seem to work for me!)

Read lots of sober blogs, and let yourself be selfish - right now, it's OK to focus on your sobriety, and let your partner/kids/job take a bit of a back seat for a bit...

Hi biscuiteater!

Thanks so much for your message.

Tiredness hopefully will be good for me as I'm not a great sleeper (that's 1 of the reasons I think drink has become a problem, altho it's 1 of many, loneliness mainly and boredom r high on the list too).

I'm starting to doubt I'm even going to complete day 1 tbh. I have a very difficult 4yr old, he literally drives me to it (although I know it's not him it's actually me). I also have 2 other dcs, girls one 6 & one 10. I'm a single parent and the kids don't see their dads so they r with me 24/7. My dad died 2years ago this Xmas and it still feels like yesterday. My mum is still around but she never has the kids for me (parents didn't either prior to my dad's illness).

Bizarrely tho I'm also feeling like maybe I can do it. I'm sick of having a fuzzy brain that can't think straight, I refuse to let a little 4yr old prevent me, I want to be a better mother and role model for the kids and the money wasted on booze I just can't justify!

He he, sorry to tell you everything. I feel better for it though!!

Thanks for all your great info and advice.😊

My emojis play up, just meant a smiley face.

3 all by yourself is a lot to handle, but you can do this.

take it minute by minute if you have to.

we'll all be here for you, you can do it. I think that all drink can do is mask the problems (I admit that it's great at that!)

But if you want the strength to change things, then going sober is a great plan...

Will post more later when I get the chance, in the park atm but welcome Big. I'm also a single parent (3 and 8yo), I know the feeling of them driving you to it and the loneliness and boredom. My youngest especially is very fiery and doesn't take no for an answer without a screaming fit. After the initial first few days when my emotions were all over the place, I'm a much calmer, happier parent without booze in the equation and I deal with their moods far better. Stick around, deal with the next few hours as they arise just don't drink for this hour/minute.

Welcome from me as well Bigfat Take it a few mins at a time and keep posting :)

Welcome bigfatbollocks sounds like you've got your hands full! Hour by hour, minute by minute works well for me. I'm still terrified of the prospect of never drinking again so I don't look at it like that.

Who has the sober blog on here? I'd be really interested in reading it. Could you link it on here or if you keep them seperate pm me. The online soberverse is huge and really useful.

Thanks everyone for welcoming me!! 😃

I've just been reading the link to brassic monkey and I'm wondering whether I'm even allowed now on this thread as I think I may need to reduce first.

Evening all just catching up on all the posts. for you finnish sounds like you've had a very tough weekend, and well done for not drinking through it - most people in that situation would easily reach for a drink.

Welcome bigfat

I had a blip last night and broke my sober streak. It was stupid - and I've lurked guiltily all day not wanting to fess up. Had family round for dinner. My sil was drinking wine. I had 2 small glasses. Thought I would enjoy them after a couple of weeks off but I didn't. And after the second I certainly didn't want anymore. Think i just let my guard down a bit and got carried away. Also had done really long run in the morning so was feeling like I needed a reward. But they're just rubbish excuses I know - I should have stuck to my juice. Felt a bit more sluggish this morning and bad for letting myself down. So - a lesson learned hopefully and back to a re-inforced day 1.

WELCOME bigfat I love your name.

If you need to reduce, perhaps a visit to your GP is in order? x x

Don't beat yourself up yellow and don't feel like you're not welcome here. You're okay and today is your day one. x

Thanks one I appreciate it. And - I've not moved past day 1 yoga yet either as too stiff after that run yesterday and been out all day today - so I'll be on day 2 of that tomorrow too . How are you finding it ?

Just about to settle in and do my day 5. I'm enjoying it more every day, though I feel like I've been kicked up the arse so might have overdone downward dog last night (not a euphemism...)

I have a deadline tomorrow and I will be burning the midnight oil with coffee and regular visits here. If anyone feels like chatting I will be around.

glad and strongtea I have been thinking about you, and finnish too, and where is choc? I feel like you're all my buddies and everyone who is going through a tough time right now is going to get some from me for being brave and beautiful.

Hi Yellow, - like one said, no need to beat yourself up. It will be good if we're on the same day of yoga camp!

Today's been a good day, I'm feeling much better than I thought I would!

If you're worried that you may be drinking too much to stop straight away bigfat then it's good to check in with a GP...

Oh Yellow really feel for you - but if you learn from it and it makes you determined not to do it again (and it is so easily done) then take that from it and wake up stronger tomorrow.

I've been feeling as if I've been missing out this bank hol weekend, but then at the gym on Saturday I heard 2 ladies discussing how they'd like to give up drinking and wished that they could etc, 1 even said that she wanted to come to the class early on Sunday morning but they were having friends round on Saturday night so it just depended how much she ended up drinking. I was up fresh and early on Sunday and had a great workout at the class, I noticed this lady was however missing, and I'm beginning to realise that I'm not the one missing out at all - all the boozers are missing out - on mornings, on being clear headed and not feeling anxious, on waking up and not feeling like shit about themselves for drinking too much the night before etc etc etc...I'm sure there are lots of other women like these 2 who also wish that they could give up drinking, and I'm going to remember that when I'm next on an evening out and worrying that others will think that I'm boring, because it actual fact some of them will probably actually be a little bit envious.

Well done to those who have survived the loooong weekend x

Oh yellow, don't worry, I bet you're stronger than you think. I've slipped up twice since my bid to be sober. Both times like you it's been (compared to my usual intake) moderate amounts and I've had that WTF am I doing, I'm not even liking this feeling.

I went to an AA group way away from home tonight and just gelled with everyone there. I really needed to go and travelling back realised I wasn't going to make it home for 8pm so did a quick search and came across

Gahhh!
Came across a lovely group where the chair and tonight's speaker were women. I wish they were nearer to home

Glad you're enjoying it one - I'm looking forward the the next one tomorrow night and finnish thanks and yes we will be yoga buddies too !

jellybean your post has really resonated with me. One thing I've noticed since stopping is just how much extra time I have - in the mornings when not lying around in bed hungover, not watching trash tv on a Saturday afternoon - or going back to bed for an hour - and most of all how much free time of and evening. Shamefully I didn't realise just how much I wouldn't plan ahead for of a weekend - especially the mornings as knew I would be hungover. You are right - we are not the ones missing out - we are making the most of every minute - and there'll be more than a few who will be envious. I know I've secretly envied teetotal people for years - and now I'm on the road to being one.

Hey tea thanks - yeah it's weird isn't it - I didn't enjoy it one single bit and am hoping that's a big out off for the next time I'm tempted.

Glad you found a nice group tonight. Are they too far to travel to regularly?

By the way - I started Life after life this weekend - couldn't get my head around the first couple of chapters but once I understood how it was repeating I fell right into it. It's great ! Really liking Kate Atkinson's style - she's a fantastic writer.

I love Kate Atkinson. One of my favourite authors. Glad you're enjoying it.

It's only about an hours journey and I'd love to go back if I can sometime. I swapped numbers with a truly inspirational woman so hope to keep the connection there anyway.

That's really good tea I hope your new connection turns out to be a supportive friend. An hours not so bad - once a month may be better than not going?

Off to bed with the book ! Goodnight everyone

Hello! I was here before about 6 months ago. I can act as a lesson to everyone...I got cocky, thought I'd just drink for one weekend and we'll, here we are

So, I'm back again, if you'll have me. I've learnt some lessons, I need to write more, read more and connect more.

Today is Day 2 and so far do good (pitiful)

WELCOME back motherr - I'm not going to call you unfit and I don't think you should call yourself it either. You're here. You're on day 2. Be kind to yourself.

What are you writing?