Brave Babes Battle Bus: Sunshine, Roses and Mocktails All Round

[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.

Summer offers all kinds of challenges for those of us trying to change our relationship to alcohol, pub gardens, summer holidays, school holidays, and apparently there's a big football tournament too. If you want to read where the bus has been so far this year 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

The Bus is a bit of a Mumsnet institution, but it has an open door policy, no cliques, no judgement, and the welcome is always warm. So hop on and join us.

mshoolie I am so glad you came back to post. You're in a tough place and hopefully everything will help you to get back on an even keel, and then to rise up and sail on from there. One of our long-term poster, strawberry had been through similar difficulties with her children, and she has now been sober for several years... 4 maybe? It might sound like an impossible dream, but I bet that you too have those unimaginable strengths within you. I'm glad you're getting the right kind if help x

It's gone a little grey here weatherwise, it's the first time in ages that I've worn long trousers, and it's a rather refreshing feeling to have a cool breeze. There was even a spot of rain, which my petunias will love!

Just wanted to hop on quickly and give MissHoolies a hug, you are stronger than you realize, you have been through so much unimaginable stuff and yet you are eloquent and self-aware and brave and humble. You can do this.

Say, I loved this: “Sometimes just bloody hanging on is a massive achievement xx”. How right you are. Am in awe of your marathon, I can’t make the leap from a half to a whole, it’s just too daunting.

MsHoolies It's nice to see you posting. We haven't 'spoken' but I've read some of your posts when lurking last year. I'm glad you're in a good rehab place and I really hope it works for you. All you can do is keep trying.

Guggs 6AF nights is an achievement not trivial. I hope you're proud. You should be. The early days are hard.

I'm going to reserve Keeper of lost things at the library. I've really enjoyed the books suggested on here. I'm half way through Eleanor Oliphant and enjoying it.

Nothing to report with me. Still AF. Still can't go the loo properly. Still craving cigs but haven't bought any. Don't want to go to work tomorrow. Same old! Hope everyone else is good.

MsHoolies You need to post more often. All the old timers have returned! The bus is busy again!

Just saying hello. 👋🏻 I've been quietly on the bus for ages now and I love it! I'm so much less emotional, so much calmer. I'm happier with the DC, sleeping well, losing weight (on WW), and loving every day.

Love love love not drinking. Never thought I'd say that!

Fantastic whats amazing progress and such an achievement 🏆

Mshoolies I am really pleased for the most part it is a good place. I am even more pleased that they are taking on the social worker.

Wow 3 marathons! You'll have to give me some tips. I am in the early stages of a training plan. I got over excited a few months ago and ran up to 16 miles just to make sure I could!!

Margie I was thinking about it for a while and then just went for it. I am still chasing your half time!

Trust2017 and Mint Thank you it feels a long way right now! Certainly couldn't have done this drinking.

Congratulations what's on keeping going not drinking. I know what you mean about loving it. I was talking to dc teacher one morning and suddenly had this overwelcoming relief that I didn't have wine breath!!

Thank you @LuxuryWoman2017 and @Saywhen! Yes, it's amazing. Lovely not to be ashamed of myself or terrified of what I've done. I totally empathise with the wine-breath comment.

Welcome Whats I’m really happy for you that you’re enjoying being AF. I’m sure your post will help a lot of people who are struggling, particularly through the early days.
I have a rewiew meeting with the social worker on 18th July. My keyworker/counsellor told me today that she used to be a solicitor but changed careers after she had children because of the long hours/commute.
When I told her about this meeting, she said she is happy to come with me and write a ‘scary legal sounding letter’ and said the social worker ‘won’t know what’s hit her’.
I know that everybody in every job makes mistakes at times but this woman seems almost hypnotised by DH.
She’s very young and I think social work is one of those professions where being older and having some life experience is a definite advantage.
I have met some awesome social workers but she definitely isn’t one of them.
I am genuinely touched that some of you remember me as I haven’t posted for ages. I admire all of you because, however you’re doing right now, you’re trying which takes courage in itself

Hi All
Just popping in to cheer you all on.
Its 365 Days ,yep 1 year since I finally said it had to stop and meant it.
The wierd thing is that its just become normal and everything has changed.
In that year everything has changed for the better.
to all ,you CAN do it.

Wow pinkpeppermint well done, what a brilliant achievement

Wow this thread is so motivational at the moment.
pink and whats that is so great to hear how well you have been doing. Also baking venus lux margie say are so helpful.
I have been able to do a dry month here and there but do sometimes flip back into moderating which although is still a damn sight better than I was doing is still a bit annoying that I do still feel the need every now and again. And stupidly even when I know I haven’t done anything embarrassing I still feel a bit guilty and anxious the next day. Will just keep trying..

I absolutely feel that if you already have a problem with alcohol,moderating wont work .
The reward/need pathways in your brain are set up and persist while you are drinking.
Its taken me 12 months and lots of pain but lots of changes and realisations to get to this point.
I feel different this past month,something has physically changed in my brain,my dna feels different!
That sounds bonkers but thats what it feels like !
Good luck to all
I lurk from time to time so will try to keep up.
Life is so good !

Trust yes I am night 6 tonight. Amazed! It's like the more the 'booze voice' in my head says "go on" I'm like "I don't need to". I feel so mentally charged and positive. I don't want a drink.

Pink Well done on the year!! You're awe-inspiring! And I couldn't agree with the moderation more. I don't think I can drink again. I'm convincing myself I'm allergic so I don't have to again .

I know I am in a very infantile stage. But I just don't want to go to that place ever again. I've never been able to give up alcohol. This is the longest in many, many (if ever) years. I'm definitely going through withdrawal. But it's become a battle that I want to win...
Thank you for your support

And whats well done ! You give me hope! :)

@IronNeonClasp Thanks for your message. 😀 I remember that first week, when your brain keeps whispering at you, "we have a little drink now, don't we? We're tired/stressed/happy/sad/celebrating/relaxing/socialising, we should have a little drink..."

You'll be glad to hear that voice shuts up soon! Surprisingly quickly.

What's spurring me on is:

1. Dad told me I was drinking too much, and it hit home;
2. It was making me pick fights with DH, every time I drank something;
3. I was fat, tired and feeling shite;
4. My lovely kids (15 and 10) obviously never drink booze, and yet they manage to be happy and lively every day. I suddenly thought, we're not born needing alcohol, it's all a big con.

It gets really easy soon. I never think about booze. I must admit I haven't tackled any big social events without booze yet but I've cracked weekdays, normal weekends, and everyday life.

Well done iron that is brilliant.

Morning all
How are you all getting on?
I’ve been AF for the last 10 days and intend to carry on until the end of the month. Who knows where it will go from there. I am feeling good about myself and properly motivated after some of the posts on here.
Have a good day everybody.

Pink Huge congratulations on a year, that’s an amazing achievement. All the staff here are ex alcoholics/addicts themselves and range from 5 - 25 years clean/sober.
It’s really helpful because you know that they ‘get it’ and aren’t just coming at it from an academic/theoretical angle.
This is my 8th day sober whereas a month ago, I was on up to 4 bottles of wine a day.
I’m 50 and have had a few health scares recently and ended up in hospital 3 times. It’s sinking in that I physically can’t get away with this anymore.
About 12 of us watched the football last night and we were all sober and still managed to have a good time - until we lost but alcohol wouldn’t have changed that.
I never thought it was physically possible to watch a football match without a drink in your hand.

baking nice to ‘meet’ you and congratulations.
I will do some more name checking later. Even if you’ve just done your first day, I always try to remember that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Mr Hoolie - all sounds very difficult - I remember you from before. Are your parents still supporting you? This morning is the first for a long time that I haven't had to put an empty bottle out - did have 2 glasses during the match but then made myself stop. feel better for it this morning. x

Ms cant call you Mr

I really do think its not just about stopping but recovery and that can take at least 2 years to undo the effects/damage that alcohol does.
I tried so many times to moderate or stop but it didnt work.
I had to face the cold light of day and realise I was going to cause serious damage to myself ,even though I wasnt drinking more than what most people would consider normal/fun or an average night .
I cant tell you how different I feel/look now.
My life has expanded and Im doing things that I didnt ever consider I would do.
I hope you get through this and get the support you need .

Right you lovely lot. As we all deserve a treat I'm Copy and Pasting this.
Does anyone want a free box of flowers from Freddie's Flowers? (www.freddiesflowers.com). They are also on Instagram - you can get a good idea of what sort of flowers .
You need to setup an account at freddiesflowers.com and then your first box will be sent totally free. Once you've received the first box you can either cancel the account or continue. Or you can easily chose to skip weeks/months by simply ticking a box once you've logged into your account. Cancelling is easy too - simply call or email them.
You get to see what flowers will be delivered in advance so can pick and chose if you want to receive them.
Here's mine if anyone wants to pass it on. Mine came this morning and are gorgeous!!! I've set mine to monthly pay date.
www.freddiesflowers.com/r/VikkyF9220

If you use my code I'll get a free bunch of flowers then post yours and pay it forward .

found you all!
back from holiday.
Haven't read the thread but do i see mshoolie back with us????