The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Sweet, Summer Sobriety!

[Mouseface]

Hey, I'm Mouse

Welcome to the Battle Bus! We're a group of travelling drinkers of varying levels, those who are teetotal, and those who have tried so many times to stop, those are 'controlled' drinkers, but we NEVER give up and keep coming back for the support we share, and trying to get some kind of control over the Wicked Wine Bitch Witch!

It's not easy, boy, it's so not easy to stop or cut down some days. There are days when even the Bravest Babes fall into the Sidecar. And do you know what? That's okay.

There is NO judgey pants worn on this Bus and you don't have to be anyone other than YOU to join us

So, come and grab a seat, some Opal fruits, (it'll make sense eventually!)) and meet the rest of the Babes. Remember, you're not on your own, ever with us, you'll always have a Babe you can relate to.

Here's the last thread for you to catch up on if you like

And here's where the entire journey began.

Mouse xxx

Thanks for the good ideas! Love the idea of of origami (and having a wish...) plus someone suggested paper cutting which looks beautiful

What I might try is getting requisite gear (I have some things e.g. Books, yoga DVD and mat, getting some bubble bath for birthday soon) and writing them on bits of paper in a pick jar. Then on evenings I can randomly choose one - might also include study time so it gets mixed up. My problem is prevaricating because I don't know exactly what I fancy doing, then grabbing a beer whilst thinking about it. And we all know how that ends!

Ohhh that's a great idea!
That would work for cleaning jobs too. I procrastinate far too much.

Including cleaning jobs would also work I think...

procrastination is the thief of....oh, I can't be bothered finishing that. I'll do it tomorrow...

swishes powerful ally cloak

I want to drink

I'm here Zora get a big glass of something cold that's not alcohol. Water with ice maybe then go put the radio on and sort your knicker drawer or something. Distraction and hydration is vital against the cravings.
Later you get a bath but keep drinking. Genuine thirst is the enemy and sets the cravings off. Eating something sweet will also help.

I'm meeting my dad, from whom I am largely estranged, for dinner. I don't want to be here, I don't want to talk to him, I just want it all to go away

Cancel. Don't put yourself through it. Or tell him from the off you don't feel well so you can leave early.

Thanks Lux. He just arrived. Will keep you posted x

Hope it goes ok.

Home and I didn't drink

Thank you Lux for the right words at the moment I needed them x

Tomorrow marks one month AF for me, and tonight feels like a bit of a watershed. No booze to prepare / blot out / run away / reward. Just me (and you lot) standing strong.

You did it! You rock, one month, that's fantastic ☺

Thank you! I'm feeling pretty rocking I must say! ☺️

Well done Zorra

It's raining here (again) but I've been going through the house from top to bottom, emptying cupboards and having a big sort out.

It's a work in progress as I got distracted looking at old photographs and deliberating on whether or not to get rid of stuff.

One thing I am definitely doing is sorting out my wardrobe. If it doesn't fit, it's gone. I've got too many clothes in the 'too small' bag which I keep kidding myself I will get back into. Then I thought, you know what? If I can fit into those smaller sizes, I'm buying new clothes. Stuff it.

Think what I could be spending on alcohol. I'm spending it on salad, fruit and clothes instead

hi all
faire good to see you

shit of a day here today. can't wait to leave this job and the hassle it brings and move onto something more appreciated. Raining here again, it is so fucking depressing. To cheer myself up I bought some purple shoes and a dress

Can I join in please?

Not quite up to going AF yet, but have committed to no wine in August. Wine is absolutely my vice. I can easily do 1.5 to 2 btls every night and not feel too bad the next day. We had a btl of cava last night to get it gone (not treating that as wine due to the texture if that makes sense? I don't guzzle fizz like I do wine).

I had some cider but nothing like the amount of units I would have had in wine. The gassyness slows me down and it's not as moreish to me. I appreciate that may change as I will probably increasingly enjoy anything that gets alcohol into me.

Has anyone had success with breaking the wine 'habit' and then cuttung back? Or am I fooling myself? I know the root cause of the issue is addiction to alcohol rather than wine specifically, but thought I'd give it a shot first.

Thoughts? And thanks for the thread. I've been dipping in and out for a while now.

Hey Battered yep I kicked wine 7 months ago and can now enjoy a beer or a couple of gins but I'll never be able to drink wine again.
We're all different though, and I wouldn't want someone reading who has real issues with alcohol to take false hope or encouragment from my experience.
But yes, for me it's wine the enemy.

Thanks LuxuryWomam tbat is good to hear for me. Went for lunch today and had one G&T rather than my usual 2 large glasses of wine. Am also attempting to stop smoking 🤣😂 perhaps one thing at a time, eh?

Fairenuff
I have a charity bag. It's been upstairs for months. I need to get rid of it ASAP as I keep changing my mind about things in it!

Batteredoldchesterfield
I've tried with the wine. I find it harder to resist when its sunny as it just screams garden drinking to me. Although now I live in Scotland there's not many of those days. I try and have a AF Koppaberg these days.
DP has been off smoking three months now with a vape. It's so far going really well.

Zorra
Congratulations on the month

I got the call I've been waiting for. I have my job interview next Thursday. Lots of lovely time to prepare and learn my 'script'

Oh well done Mint, hope it all goes well for you

Battered yes, just concentrate on one thing for now. Vaping might be the next step for you when you're ready but the rule is to give things up in the order that they are killing you. Cheery

Hurray Mint you'll be great at interview

Sorry Babes, I seem to have missed the whole of July?! I managed two weeks at the beginning, then went away for our tenth anniversary, to a city famous for beer. It was a lovely trip, but my AF efforts got hijacked. Away, I'm back on it now - day nine - going to try to make it to Monday, but then I'll be staying with my parents for a week in France, so moderation is the best I can hope for.

Ma I was SO, SO, SO pleased when I saw you got the job, and now secret news on top of that

And job and interview for you too, Mint.

Hello to all of the Babes I've not met yet.

Well done on the interview mint and welcome to battered.
sweet good to see you again

Well done Mint things seem to be looking up for you I'm so glad x

sweet so great to hear from you, have a fantastic time in France. Stay away from the vin!