Brave Babes (Hygge) Battle Bus: Snowed in and Drinking Hot Chocolate instead of wine

[SweetLathyrus]

Hi, I'm SweetLathyrus, Sweet for short, and I've been on and off Gerald the Brave Babes Battle Bus since 2014. Over the years, lots of us have maintained the thread, most of all the lovely Mouse, who has been here since the early days, and still scurries onboard when she can.

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. Driers and Triers, all welcome.

2018 has been a busy year so far, lots of new travellers as well as old faces; if you want to read back on the journey through Dry or Dryer Jan and Feb so far, here's the link to the last thread

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

We've donned the snow chains, topped up the antifreeze, and turned the heaters up to loud, so even though it's cold outside, our welcome is always warm, so hop on and join us.

"What do I replace it with?" Duchess, if you mean literally, there are lots of 'grownup' soft drinks now, Fevertree and Fentimans are good brand - Fevertree naturally light ginger beer has a really kick if you don't like sweet, Reniman's Rose Lemonade tastes like luxury. Both good over ice. I keep fizzy water in my hand at all times for a few weeks (sometimes with a drop of peppermint oil in), and always drink lime and soda when I'm out.
If you mean metaphorically, drinking takes up a lot of time, and it's difficult to know what you want to fill it with to begin with. some like cleaning and decluttering (I wish I did), baking, jigsaws, reading, sober blogs, running, just getting to the end of a film - and remembering it. Focus on being AF to begin with, the rest will come. ODaaT, One day at a time.

XPost, Coquette - it's only that first one you need to avoid! But why are people so damned persuasive? But it's good that you've identified that you didn't enjoy it, and jump straight back in

Good morning
We'll prob just first day something or other but I woke up like I'd actually had a decent nights sleep this morning and feel so much brighter !
Hope everyone has a good day .
Off to earn some pennies x

Just want to add (then I'm gone for the day) my DJ app shows 74 AF days for the year, but I didn't fill it in for April, so there are another couple, there, and £500 saved.

That's 74/127, not what I wanted, but actually, not awful - just a shame I probably drank my entire year's units on the other days already .

Welcome Duchess You'll probably find you're less anxious if you're AF. I've found my anxiety a lot better generally since xmas. Doing social things AF is a bit odd at first but it's ok once you're there. You don't need to drink every day for it to be a problem either.

Sweet I love having a fuzz free head. I get so much more done. Hooray for day 3.

Clear Lots of my team where discussing bank holiday drinking too. I didn't feel as jealous as I usually would (possibly because a few of us are going for lunch out on Friday) but I get what you mean. You're way healthier though! And some of them will have had vile hangovers even if the night was good.

Tink It might not be as bad as you're expecting. I did a week AF because of antibiotics last summer when I was used to daily drinking. It was fine. As Sweet says enforced drinking takes the choice away. You'll make yourself ill doing it so for this fortnight I think you'll accept not doing it. Get some nice soft drinks in. I'm enjoying Morrison's Mocktails and the Feel Good Drinks company fizzy water style drinks at the moment. The Feel Good ones are pretty low cal.

Welcome Working The bored/empty feeling will go. Over a week is amazing! What are you doing in the evenings instead of drinking? I read a lot more, cross stitch in front of the tv. For me if I'm not drinking or smoking I need something to do with my hands.

Hello to Venus and Twattage.

I'm on my way to work. I had a good day yesterday. All my people were nice, it was busy so it went quick. It's still sunny. All positives!

It took me so long to write that there's a load more posts!

Coquette It's good you're using Sunday as a learning curve. And you didn't carry on through Monday which is great. I have a bit of a fear about drinking now because it's been so long I worry that if I start I won't stop.

Sweet 74/127 is more than half the days and we're only a third of the way through the year. I'd say that's pretty good.

Morning all…day 24 for me

working welcome and well done on starting the c25k. I find running really does help me keep busy in the evenings. I find I go out running in a bad mood and tired and come back energised

tink well done lovely…keep on going xx

duchess perhaps try not to focus on what to call yourself or how to explain to others yet. Concentrate on each hour/day at a time and worry about others later.

dear well done for recognising the benefits of being sober…glad you’re back on board now xx

sweet 74/127 is great…well done you xx

baking hope today is as good as yesterday

Have a great Wednesday everyone xx

Hi and thanks so much for the welcome. cupcakes I honestly don't think u would have achieved a week so easily if I hadn't had a massive health scare. As others have said it sort of took the choice away. I'm hoping the health scare recedes as having further tests, wasn't definite so fingers and toes crossed. But I want to keep sobriety if the best happens and all is well.

To keep busy in the evenings I have this massive work project I have to finish to a deadline so that's helped a lot. Once that's over I am writing stuff which helps smash the bloody empty feeling!! But I do see that running can be a kind of health addiction replacement and my god I'd love to be slim again so I'm going to stick at the C25k. Today massive argument with ds which made me wish I was drinking but am safe until I get hospital visit done on Saturday when I learn more. Hope hope hope alls well. And if I have the good luck that it is ok, have to find a way to stick to this and respect my body and not lose 20 years off my life!!!!

Thanks again for all the lovely comments.

Sorry cupcakes 'I' not 'u' in the first sentence. Bloody sausage fingers!

@clearview agree about running. Even in my embryo running state (ie crap) I feel great afterwards! I run with my neighbour's dog which is really cute and a great way to shout with laughter as I do the Phoebe from Friends style running through the woods. When 'Laura' who talks to me on the app says 'are you ready?!' I always shout 'No I'm fucking not, piss off!' But then do it anyway don't worry in the woods no one can hear you be crazy!

Hello everyone. Would it be ok for me to join please? I’ve just posted on the Alcohol Support section - reading a few posts on there has pointed me in this direction.

I’m so embarrassed to be in this situation, but I am. I am also desperately frightened about what it happening to me.

Today is another Day 1, but I really want it to turn into the start of a positive journey.

I’m 47, mum of 3 and work full time. I’d like to say that I’m happily married, but I’m making my husband pretty miserable with my inability to get myself out of this horrible place.

Working I didn't notice! I read the original as it was meant to be read and had to re-read to spot the unintended u!

Welcome Changing. You'll find lots of support here. What are you frightened of? Maybe we can help. Are you aiming to be dry or moderate?

Evening all babes. I am knackered!

Didn't have time to do my usual early morning post as I slept so soundly that was woken by my alarm at 6 very rudely. Was then in a rush as needed to get the early train to the client, even though I'd made lunch last night (risotto was yummy but I had forgotten I'd put shit-loads of garlic in it, which was an issue at work).

This PM the beer has been calling me, but I realised I was actually hungry so bought some food on the way home. I caught the tube home with my colleague who is also moderating with me, and she gave me a good talking to as it's not Thursday (or Saturday) so therefore we are not drinking. I am now home in bed with tea, cat and shortly some Neighbours I think.

changing - of course you can join. Welcome.

coquette - well done on getting straight back on it. I really think it's not so much the lapse that counts, as being able to regroup very quickly. I had been suffering from lapsitis the last few months but I finally seem to have got a grip since Friday 13 April. Prior to that my DJ app looks like a car crash.

sweet - that's still a really good number of dry days. Well done.

working - good work on the running. I am also a lumberer - but we're lapping everyone on the couch.

Hello to everyone else - sorry I am struggling to track back as we are v busy all of a sudden :))))) - which pleases me as I was talking to myself for a while back there!

I'm with the client tomorrow and then away until Monday morning - hurrah.

Tomorrow one of my fellow consultants is leaving and she has invited me to her leaving lunch at Zizzi. Have been looking at the nutritional info and everything is a million WW points. I really want a loss on Friday so am thinking of just going for a starter portion of meatballs - even that is - 420 cals!

Anyway, enough waffling - stay strong all babes.

xxx

Thanks for the welcome 😊.

I’m frightened about not being able to quit (I’ve grown to really dislike alcohol) and what that means.

I will take each day at a time right now.

I’d quite like to do c25k - I have always wanted to be able to run.

changing - yes one day at a time. Post on here if you're struggling. Do not beat yourself up if you have a lapse, just carry on.

Why not download the c25k app and have a go? I am not built for running but I love it. You will also sleep better if you're tired from being active.

xxx

Thanks Twattage - I will do that.

I’m definitely not built for it, but it’s on my To Do list.

Have a lovely evening - sounds absolutely perfect.

Hi everyone, welcome to new babes - I'll say hello properly soon.

I always read the thread but haven't posted much lately as although I remain wine free my life is very stressful right now and if I make a big post it might fill the rest of the thread!

I'll come back soon babes.
Hope everyone is OK, if MissHoolie is out there, I think of you often. I think of all of you tbh and the support I've had. I'm just having a blip and things will improve.

Twattage Good for you not giving in to the beer thoughts. Your colleague makes sense! I don't think there's a lot of options on a zizzi menu that are diet friendly. It's nice food though.

Changing It's natural to be scared of such a big change. And of realising you've lost control to some extent. As the others have said try and take it a step at a time. We've all been there. How are you getting on tonight?

Lux I like a busier/fuller thread! Doesn't bother me if your posts are long. I hope things look brighter for you soon.

I'm going to bed now. Hope everyone's had a good evening.

2nd night AF and it was okay .
Dare I go so far as to say good

My trigger is walking through the door ( that's really bad I know ) , but have realised that once I've got dinner on I'm over it and happy with a cuppa .

Reading the thread has helped heaps .
Feeling positive . Night all .

Morning all - no boing today. Am due on imminently and I feel a bit tired etc

baking - yes she does talk sense. TBH we're more friends than colleagues as we've worked together on 3 contracts now, live down the road from each other, and see other outside work. It helps though - we do a few whatsapps back and forth as well.

lux would love to hear from you. Send a hug if you are stressed.

tinkerbell well done. Yes you are correct - recognising what is triggering is really important. You will usually find the craving passes fairly quickly but you need to distract. For me it was being hungry yesterday - I realise I've given in to this a couple of other times last month, so now I'm aware and I will feed myself en route home if necessary.

Have a good day all. I will be in the scheduled sidecar this evening with my boy, but back tomorrow.

xxx

Morning all.

Well, I survived day 1! Back to work today after a few days off, but feeling stupidly anxious about it.

Baking - yes, one step at a time and lots of trying to talk to people. I’m going to talk to my mum tonight.

Tinkerbell - well done on getting through Day 2. I’m one step behind you and will be hoping to learn a lot.

Have a great day.

Morning all
Pants night here ..... couldn't sleep, was sweating a bit and when I did sleep was filled with ridiculous dreams ! Going to be a long one at work and not much let up for me for about 9 days .
Hi Changing70..... same age as me too I guess . Good luck today . I was fine at work yesterday . Drank lots of water ( prob why I was also up peeing all night ! ).
Will buy some healthy snacks on way home as not really wanting to gain a pile of weight too while doing this .
Have a good one all .

Sending love, hugs, face masks and bath bombs to @LuxuryWoman2017. You are a strong, kind, wonderful babe, whatever it is you can get through this.

Morning All, what a busy bus!

Tink, wacky, fevered dreams can be quite common in the early days, your brain chemistry and sleep patterns are rewiring!

Twattage it's good to have a friend who will talk you down rather than egg you on! I love garlic, but I'm also aware that not everyone like the smell (personally, my brain says "Ooo, you had something nice for dinner!" it's better than boozy breath anyway).

Welcome, Changing, you've recognised the issue - step one to making change done

Lux good to see you, make sure you're still making time for self-care.

Haven't seen Ma, Smallfox, Hope, Spanna, Rothberry, Mouse for a while, hope you're all ok, you too Mint.

Waves to Baking, Coquette, Working and all the other Babes - sorry not to do a full name check.

Not a good night's sleep for me, I have a low-level headache I hope doesn't become a migraine from too much concentrating on screens. I hate this time of year, wall to wall marking with no lectures as a nice distraction. I'm also not going to the gym as I don't feel I have time, even though I know I would be more productive for an hour or so away from the grind.

Anyway, day five for me, they soon add up. Have a good day, and see you all later.

Margie! How you doing?