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Less Alcohol- April 2018- One Day at a Time

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Replies

  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Orphia wrote: »
    lporter229 wrote: »
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    I had a super brief moment last night, when I was putting my kids to bed, where I thought "gosh, I don't even have anything to look forward to now that I'm not having a nightly glass or two of wine after they go to bed". I quickly pushed that out of my head and reminded myself that what I had to look forward to was paying attention to what I was reading or watching on tv instead of zoning out and passing out on the couch, a night of restful sleep, a morning exercise routine that wasn't clouded by a fuzzy headache, etc.

    It was fleeting but it was honestly one of the first times my drinking brain tried to play that little trick on me, and I know others of you have mentioned something similar, so I thought I'd fess up to it.

    I hear you. For me, this is that habit/reward thing again. It's like I have been conditioned to think that I deserve some kind of reward at the end of a busy day for making it through. TV ads tell me that. Social media tells me that. There are little cues everywhere I go trying to tell me that, but I am trying to change that way of thinking. If I deserve some kind of reward just for making it through my day, what does that say about my life? I am concentrating on making each moment its own reward, enjoying the things that I am doing. My job can be stressful at times, but it can also be enjoyable. I need to focus on the things I enjoy about it. Sometimes it feels stressful to try and cram my run in after work then get home and cook dinner, but I like to run, so I am going to forget about what I need to do when I am finished running and enjoy my time out there. And when it comes to that time when I would normally pour myself a glass of wine to relax, I remind myself that I do not need that wine to help me relax end enjoy myself because I already am.

    @lporter229 Another insightful post. Thanks. I really think this habit/reward discussion is fascinating. Lots to think about.

    I said earlier I was going to celebrate finishing painting my room with a drink (I haven't had any alcohol since Jan 31).

    I managed to paint one coat on all my bedroom walls over Easter. Since then I've done other coats, and the trimmings and wardrobe. Mr O also stepped in and helped when I was feeling discouraged about how long it was taking and he did the second coat of the wardrobe and window frame. So grateful!

    I finished cleaning off the masking tape from the windows last night, and then I moved everything back into the room:

    ocyvjh6s4khy.jpg


    When I got it all set up, I had a bath and washed my hair, and I got to sleep in clean sheets, clean nightie, totally clean room! So happy!

    I didn't even *want* any alcohol!



    Looks so serene and relaxing! Perfect spot for a cup of tea and a good book! And well, whatever else you and Mr O want to do in there...
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Orphia wrote: »
    lporter229 wrote: »
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    I had a super brief moment last night, when I was putting my kids to bed, where I thought "gosh, I don't even have anything to look forward to now that I'm not having a nightly glass or two of wine after they go to bed". I quickly pushed that out of my head and reminded myself that what I had to look forward to was paying attention to what I was reading or watching on tv instead of zoning out and passing out on the couch, a night of restful sleep, a morning exercise routine that wasn't clouded by a fuzzy headache, etc.

    It was fleeting but it was honestly one of the first times my drinking brain tried to play that little trick on me, and I know others of you have mentioned something similar, so I thought I'd fess up to it.

    I hear you. For me, this is that habit/reward thing again. It's like I have been conditioned to think that I deserve some kind of reward at the end of a busy day for making it through. TV ads tell me that. Social media tells me that. There are little cues everywhere I go trying to tell me that, but I am trying to change that way of thinking. If I deserve some kind of reward just for making it through my day, what does that say about my life? I am concentrating on making each moment its own reward, enjoying the things that I am doing. My job can be stressful at times, but it can also be enjoyable. I need to focus on the things I enjoy about it. Sometimes it feels stressful to try and cram my run in after work then get home and cook dinner, but I like to run, so I am going to forget about what I need to do when I am finished running and enjoy my time out there. And when it comes to that time when I would normally pour myself a glass of wine to relax, I remind myself that I do not need that wine to help me relax end enjoy myself because I already am.

    @lporter229 Another insightful post. Thanks. I really think this habit/reward discussion is fascinating. Lots to think about.

    I said earlier I was going to celebrate finishing painting my room with a drink (I haven't had any alcohol since Jan 31).

    I managed to paint one coat on all my bedroom walls over Easter. Since then I've done other coats, and the trimmings and wardrobe. Mr O also stepped in and helped when I was feeling discouraged about how long it was taking and he did the second coat of the wardrobe and window frame. So grateful!

    I finished cleaning off the masking tape from the windows last night, and then I moved everything back into the room:

    ocyvjh6s4khy.jpg


    When I got it all set up, I had a bath and washed my hair, and I got to sleep in clean sheets, clean nightie, totally clean room! So happy!

    I didn't even *want* any alcohol!



    Looks so serene and relaxing! Perfect spot for a cup of tea and a good book! And well, whatever else you and Mr O want to do in there...

    I agree...it looks fantastic. I also love that you did not want a drink even though you had planned it. Sometimes the reward of a job well done is all we need.
  • Skyweigh
    Skyweigh Posts: 113 Member
    Moderators, please read no further.

    This is a very long article, courtesy of Hip Sobriety's FB post ....and, last year, I wouldn't have read it myself. It challenges prevalent notions about supposed benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.

    Those who are looking more or less toward being AF than A-less, less-A or less is more, but none is better.... read on why "The science is clear that alcohol raises the risk of cancer, but boozemakers don't want you to know."

    DiSCUS has helped many of us look forward to "wine o'clock" through the past years. To quote from the article: "The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States “is working to ensure cultural acceptance of alcohol beverages by ‘normalizing’ them in the minds of consumers as a healthy part of a normal lifestyle,” the group’s CEO said in 2000. Those who are curious to know more:
    https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/did-drinking-give-me-breast-cancer/
  • Fitmamak7
    Fitmamak7 Posts: 7 Member
    Just started cutting back on Monday.
    I am allowing myself one with the hubby
    at night. Sure way to save some money.
    I feel better already.
    Good luck to everyone.
  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,513 Member
    @Julie I was thinking the same thing. It is 82 degrees here and sunny, FINALLY. Really makes me want a chardonnay.
  • looneycatblue
    looneycatblue Posts: 1,463 Member
    After my 1st day going AF, I felt so good this morning, head was clear, and ready to tackle the day! Happy Friday!
  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,513 Member
    I didn't have that chardonnay or anything else after all. We went out and the bartender brought me a pretty AF drink though he made a face at me when I asked for something without booze. I've been going there so long he surely must have thought this was court ordered instead of a personal decision. I felt kind of embarrassed and wanted to say, I didn't get a DUI or anything!" but I kept my mouth shut. Like Annie Grace said, "I am choosing the awkwardness of saying no thanks to booze tonight over not having a hangover in the morning." Or something like that.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    edited April 2018
    Skyweigh wrote: »
    Moderators, please read no further.

    This is a very long article, courtesy of Hip Sobriety's FB post ....and, last year, I wouldn't have read it myself. It challenges prevalent notions about supposed benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.

    Those who are looking more or less toward being AF than A-less, less-A or less is more, but none is better.... read on why "The science is clear that alcohol raises the risk of cancer, but boozemakers don't want you to know."

    DiSCUS has helped many of us look forward to "wine o'clock" through the past years. To quote from the article: "The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States “is working to ensure cultural acceptance of alcohol beverages by ‘normalizing’ them in the minds of consumers as a healthy part of a normal lifestyle,” the group’s CEO said in 2000. Those who are curious to know more:
    https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/did-drinking-give-me-breast-cancer/

    Interesting.

    For those who haven't got time or technology to read/click, here's this statistic from it for some perspective:

    "Overall, American women have about a 12 percent lifetime risk of getting breast cancer. Walter Willett, an epidemiology professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who has conducted studies on alcohol and breast cancer, says a woman who consumes two to three drinks a day has a lifetime risk of about 15 percent—a 25 percent increase over teetotalers. By comparison, mammography reduces the death rate from breast cancer by about 25 percent. “Alcohol can undo all of that at about two drinks a day,” Willett says."
  • mskg20
    mskg20 Posts: 5 Member
    I've been craving a glass of red wine or 2 for about a week now. I know that won't hurt anything but since I told myself I would hold off for the whole month then I will try to continue that. I can literally taste the wine as I type this, Lord help me Jesus!
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,233 Member
    mskg20 wrote: »
    I've been craving a glass of red wine or 2 for about a week now. I know that won't hurt anything but since I told myself I would hold off for the whole month then I will try to continue that. I can literally taste the wine as I type this, Lord help me Jesus!
    Hang in there ! One month out of a lifetime is manageable. After one month, you'll feel so good and clear , then you can decide what you'll do after that month.
  • mskg20
    mskg20 Posts: 5 Member
    JulieAL1969 wrote: »
    Just got home from
    The bar with my friend. I had vodka with club soda. I estimate 4 shots probably in those drinks.
    Right now feel pretty good. But My ears are buzzing from the noise of the bar.
    I'll let you know if I have that dreaded loud fast heartbeat tomorrow.
    Life is a journey, that's for sure.
    JulieAL1969 wrote: »
    mskg20 wrote: »
    I've been craving a glass of red wine or 2 for about a week now. I know that won't hurt anything but since I told myself I would hold off for the whole month then I will try to continue that. I can literally taste the wine as I type this, Lord help me Jesus!
    Hang in there ! One month out of a lifetime is manageable. After one month, you'll feel so good and clear , then you can decide what you'll do after that month.

    Thanks so much for the support, ir means alot when trying to stay focused.
  • mskg20
    mskg20 Posts: 5 Member
    *it
  • kittybenn
    kittybenn Posts: 444 Member
    @JenT304 - Yay, you! I love this: "I am choosing the awkwardness of saying no thanks to booze tonight over not having a hangover in the morning." You really do have to stop giving a *kitten* about what other people think of you and your choices. You are doing great and you inspire me! We're going out tonight so need to get that attitude going. We're going out to that crazy art walk where a few weeks ago I bought the gigantic wine glass that when they filled it up ended up being equal to something like 20 oz. Won't make that mistake again, LOL.
  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,513 Member
    @kittybenn thank you. And why IS it that we feel embarrassed to say "no thank you" to alcohol when offered? Why?! No one is going to offer you any other drug and be surprised when you say no, right? Well at least not in the circles I move in LOL.

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