The Brave Babes Battle Bus - New year, old battles, big resolve

[SweetLathyrus]

Hi, I'm SweetLathyrus, Sweet for short, and I've been on and off Gerald the Brave Babes Battle Bus for years, so this time it's me standing in for our wonderful Mouse to invite you on board.

The bus is a place of support, safety and occasional silliness for those of us struggling with our relationship with alcohol. Some of us are sober, some are trying to be, some are moderating and aren't ready to give up alcohol just yet.

So whatever your reason for questioning the whys and WTFs of your drinking, hop on board, make yourselves comfortable and join in.

If you want to see what it's like, here's the link to the last thread, the one that saw us through Christmas.

And if you want to know how it all started, here is the link to JWN's original, inspiring thread.

Join us on our journey, you won't regret it.

Trying how are things going for you?

Day 2 done - still feeling rough so no hardship so far but meeting a group of old friends this weekend.
Need to plan well to avoid ‘celebrations’

Evening all, still strapped in. Been busy clearing kids rooms (that was a bloody task in itself) and the boing found me at last! Anyway goodnight from me and catch you all tomorrow. Day 5 here I come

Veterinari, I find your name very interesting - I think you might be from the place I live.

Whirly, just like Saywhen, I figured out that moderation would never work for me, even though I desperately wanted it to. I was tired of constantly making deals with myself, then breaking them, and then hating myself for it. However, that’s not to say that moderation won’t work for you - have you looked at the Club Soda website? They’ve got quite a lot of good stuff on how to moderate successfully.

Boredom busters: cake-making, online shopping, reading, making Spotify playlists, doing lego with the DCs, running running and more running.

Hope you’ve all had a good day, congratulations to everyone who’s managed to reduce or stay AF.

End of day 139 for me - to everyone worried they can’t socialise without booze, or that they’ll be bored and/or boring, I can honestly say that when I go out I am so much more engaged with what people are saying to me, giving up alcohol has made me a better listener and obviously I don’t talk as much drunken repetitive crap as I used to! I don’t regret one single thing about being sober for the last 139 days, it has changed my life in so many ways for the better and more than anything it has calmed my mind and stamped out the almost constant anxiety. Plus I look better and have lost 3kgs. I’m not saying this to be smug, I’m saying it to spur you all on - if I can do it anyone can. The old threads on this bus are full of my self-pitying failed attempts to try and control my drinking, I was a hopeless case for so many years.

Evening all babes and bears...I am just back from the ballet. It was the English National Ballet 'Nutcracker' and it was absolutely epic, the best ballet I've seen in quite some time.

I am entirely sober so this is the end of day 5 for me. Before the theatre I met my BF in Ping Pong (a dim sum place in town) and I had a large bottle of sparkling water with a slice of lime and ice. I did not feel inclined to a beer - the BF had one cocktail and then onto tea and coffee.

At the theatre we arrived in time to take our seats and at the interval there was free water on tap, I have been soooo thirsty all day so I just had that. Again no desire for beer - walked past the garage on the way home, didn't think about buying beers.

I am in a good place right now (still v tired). BF said I was looking quite fresh (I wouldn't say so, but I look better than Sunday)!

I've been productive at work this week (one of my 2018 goals as I have so much client work to deliver it is scary), I have only thought about beers on one day, and I wasn't tempted tonight.

This is starting to give me real hope that I just needed to reset my moderation and all will be well (not that I am stepping into the sidecar at all until my hols).

Anyway night night all...x

That’s incredible Margie, well done!

I’m Day 68 today and I too can vouch for the socialising actually being better. I mean, don’t get me wrong, being around drunk, slurry people can be a tad irritating! But in the main, I actually like being able to be slightly quieter and less the ‘life and soul’. It’s a new experience for me and I like it. Before I’d be the one cracking the jokes, getting the party started and making sure everyone knew everyone (and had a drink...). That person may still exist in me but she’s having a lie down for a while...!

I would say that I did swerve a couple of festive events I knew would be hard (going down the pub doesn’t massively appeal right now) but that was cool. Worked for me.

Like many in this ol’ bus, I’m not sure if I’m going to drink again or not but at the moment I would say nothing has got worse from not drinking and everything - everything - has improved; self esteem, anxiety, weight, skin, hair, mood, sleep, liking myself.

I may have only just started posting on here but you’ve all helped me get to this point (was lurking & reading) so thank you.

BF = best friend, not boyfriend!

Just wanted to say huge well done to margie -139 days is both hugely inspirational and an epic achievement all by itself!! GO YOU!!!! (((( cheers and claps and considers updating the smock of smug with sequins......driver - may we stop off at a haberdashery please?))))) Think we may well need something with a little more boing for those who are truly inspirational.....smock of smug is great and all but I'm thinking it sounds a little beige and everyday....we need Pizzazz!!!!!!!!

Keep going everyone who is still in early days. I poster about my first Friday night alcohol free, also first Saturday xfactor night/ kids movie night etc alcohol free..... once the first ones were out of the way it has been much much easier. Running has helped me loads. I'm also persisting on trying to teach myself to crochet . One of my first ever alcohol free nights I spent it scrubbing all the taps with bicarb and lemon juice! I do find it easier to relax at night now than when I was still on the first couple of weeks af. I still do find it hard to do nothing, but I can at least sit down and do something now.

Well done on today everyone....
You are all inspirational. (((Throws a dusting of glitter over margie until more celebratory attire is obtained

twattage - ballet sounds amazing! I have never been to a ballet in my life but I can imagine it was wonderful. Brill stuff on the fizzy water! You sound so positive.

Yorkshiretea I could have written your post.... you can do this!!! Nothing wrong with having something that is wine coloured in a wine glass at a time that is difficult for you. Skinny ginger ale, apple-mint juice, and welches grape fruit juice were all saviours for me at the beginning. Xxxxx night night all p's loving the pic of the bus extension! Remind the driver no low bridges though

Margie and Single Your posts are spurring me on. I desperately want to be satisfied without alcohol or nicotine but it's so hard. I've switched to vaping the last 12months but have run down my liquid with the intention of stopping that this month too.

Whirly I wouldn't be able to have one at lunch and no more atm but in the past I could and have managed it.

Ma I'm still strapped in and enjoying the ride.

Guggs Nothing to add to the list but have got some more ideas from it. Thank you!

Day 4 completed today. Wasn't too bad although I was in my pjs by 5.30 so I couldn't leave the house.

Twattage I enjoy a ballet (and musicals). And the cinema come to think of it. Not be long before DS will be big enough to take...hopefully anyway! The last proper show I saw was Wicked nearly 4 (!) years ago. It was fab.

twattage lucky you that sounds awesome. When you think about it,there’s no way in which good theatre is going to be improved by warm cheap wine. Fuzzy water was a much better idea.

marge that is a brilliant achievement 👍

The smock of smug should be sparkly and beautiful,you’re right. We should find some lovely little independent sewing / making type shop and get to work. ( not me,i’m Terrible at making anything)

Today is the start of day 5 and today I will not be drinking.

Morning babes, had a rubbish sleep and a weird dream that I refused wine but had a big bottle of water melon barcardi breezer (I drank this about 20 years ago). I never drank all the Bacardi breezer tho as I was cutting back . Anyway Day 5 x

Morning all - day 6 for me...I have just filled in my WW diary and for the week and for the first time in ages I have not gone over my points. I can see I look a bit slimmer, have put it down as an unspecified loss! No scales until 25 Jan.

guggenheim - yes you'e totally right, I enjoyed every minute and there was no distraction of thinking about interval drinks and then needing the loo in the second half! What a relief.

forever - would really recommend to try one if you get the chance. I am a traditionalist as I like to see them en pointe rather than a modern version.

baking yes love a good musical. The bestie has asked me to go 42nd Street with her when we get back from holiday. I saw the original in town when I was a little girl, but I love a bit of tap, so will be great to see it again.

Good luck today all.

Today I am WFH so didn't really need to be up at this time but the boy was up so I'm having coffee. Tonight we'll go to our place at the coast and I intend to get lots of sober rest...x

Morning! Thanks for your lovely post Bee and for the glitter, I like starting Friday looking sparkly!

Single, I agree with you about picking and choosing your social events, at the beginning I said no to quite a few things, especially if I was feeling low and/or stressed as that was when I tended to press the “fuck it” switch. Congratulations on your 68 days.

Twattage, glad to hear you sounding so positive, it’s amazing how when you take booze out of the equation, your brain is then free to enjoy all the other stuff going on around you.

Baking, you can do this! I believe in you.

Whatever, that is a random dream! The thought of watermelon Bacardi breezed actually made me shudder.

Guggs, are you still driving? Where are we headed for the weekend? Anywhere that gets me far away from my Dad and Bro is fine with me (yes they are still here and yes that is called overstaying their welcome).

ELBA where are you? Guggs can swing by and pick you up...

Hey ho, Happy Friday to every Babe! And Friday does not mean drinking, that is just a stupid marketing invention to get us to spend more money than we’ve actually got. Day 140. Today I will not be drinking.

Morning all, will catch up more later but I stayed AF last night - big struggle at 530 but got taken out for an early dinner so once I'd eaten the panic was over. Phew 😅 ()wipes feverish brow)
Waves at fellow bear Twat, glad you had a good time at the theatre and WW is reflecting well. I filled mine in last night and even with eating out I was bang on target - that wouldn't have happened before! Enjoy the coast - I'm quite envious, it will be lovely by the sea at the moment.
I'll catch up on everyone else later x

Morning. An early wake up here as DS1 will be getting dropped off by his dad soon. I didn't put my tablet down till after midnight. Anyone else struggle to switch off even though they are exhausted? I think I am scared of lying down and facing what will go through my head when there's nothing else to distract it and no wine to drown it all out. So no boing here today. Zzzzzzz

Have a good day everyone.

Morning all. Day 4 for me and potentially moving into the danger zone as feeling much better after the NYE blowout and it’s the weekend! Have booked a circuit class for after work which will hopefully curb the craving.
Twattage and Baking I too love theatre and went to see Phantom just before Xmas which amazingly I have never seen before. It was fabulous and so emotional. Never been to the ballet but I think I would like it.
Good luck today everybody

Well done bernie fellow bear...great to hear you overcame the pull of early evening :0. Good luck for today. x

Morning trust - yes weekend danger zone ahead for us newbies...could some of the more experienced babes come on with a 'weekend strategy'?

I should be okay tonight as won't get to the coast until 8pm so will go straight to bed. One day at a time...x

I think I am scared of lying down and facing what will go through my head when there's nothing else to distract it and no wine to drown it all out.

I think you've nailed it there. I go one step further than that...I can't have silence when I'm alone at all - I have to have either my radio or audiobooks with me at all times, even in the shower. Otherwise I start to think.

Rosegold totally identify with the exhausted but not switching off. I agree that it may be to do with not wanting “the thoughts” however have noticed this tails off after about 3 days AF

Morning All.

I have a horrible sinus headache to go with the metallic taste this morning, but I know it's just another of THE symptoms. I'm going to walk the dog, go to another Aqua class and hope all of the endorphins chase it away.

Margie, I am so proud for you, I remember your struggles , just Ike the frickin' awesome Spanna, if if we keep trying, one day it will stick.

Twattage I saw one of the big Russian companies do Nutcracker a couple of years ago at Chichester, wonderful technical stuff, but for me the English companies have more soul The best I ever saw was an ENB Romeo and Juliet. On a slightly less highbrow note, just before Christmas I saw La Soiree at the Aldwych brilliant cabaret/burlesque/circus.

Anyway, must get on with day five. Have a good AF day, Babes.

Facepack Friday! Get a clay mask that dries, and cracks if you try to move your face - can't drink wine through that!! Plus it's treating yourself to something indulgent can reset your reward expectations.

@Thisnamechanger this is exactly how feel