LESS Alcohol ~ January 2024 ~ One Day at A Time

Continuing with Damp January - went out of town this weekend to a place that usually results in lots of wine, poor sleep, and rough mornings. Not this time! While I didn't stay dry, I had my planned drinks and stayed within my limits - used a lot of tools that we've discussed in this group over the months including playing the tape forward to the next day and staying mindful versus just pouring another (something I truly struggle with on weekends!)

So far that makes 3 AF/4 A for January due to an overdone NYD. Plan for this week is dry through Friday, then staying within my limits Sat and Sun.

AF YTD. The best thing I ever did for myself is change my behavior patterns. It took time. I used be the 5pm "run to the supermarket" shopper, in a state of hunger, thirst, stress, headache, aching back from sitting all day, and exhaustion. The perfect storm to pick up one more white wine along with dinner so it cure temporarily cure all my ailments. By 7pm, all these problems were gone so this worked (for a couple of hours) and I'd repeat.

Fast forward to 2024 and dinner is approaching. I choose not to go out since I've already shopped in advance and have ingredients for all my meals this week. I end my work day by taking a 5-10min hot bath. It helps me transition from work to home. I eat a bowl of something lo-cal while preparing dinner and if I am lazy, I'll eat a few pickles. I keep a bottle of water on my desk and drink it. I sometimes have a coffee or hot chocolate at 3 or 4pm. I take breaks so I am less mentally exhausted and I don't have any more pains since I stopped drinking (I think there is a relationship between alcohol causing me joint pain/inflammation). My husband drinks in front of me while we watch TV and I will choose to drink something non-alcoholic. I now sleep through the night, very well, and I wake up feeling relaxed.

Made it through Sunday football games without having a drink! Will be watching the college ballgame tonight. No plans for any alcohol. December was full of adult beverages - still waiting for the good sleep to come. I find that reducing after lots of days of alcohol makes it hard for me to get to sleep. It usually subsides in 1-2 weeks.

Results for Jan 1 - Jan 7
# of days:
AF: 5
A (as planned): 1
A (over limit): 1

@forestdweller1 hugs to you for the stress and worry over MIL. I really sympathize. I have 3 octogenarians local. One of them (the oldest!) is totally rational and prudent. The other two are dangerous to themselves and are offended by well meaning offers of help. I get the "You have nothing to worry about" (usually following something to worry about -- like a grease fire in the kitchen or a fall requiring surgery!). I'm also working on the estate of a friend who died suddenly last month. It was obvious something was wrong, but she didn't want anyone to know, and we didn't. It's sad. I'm sending you hugs and hopes for the best.

@xbowhunter Happy birthday! Hope the year ahead is a great one.

ETA:
@Michieb125 Sobering report on DH, but you have such a great outlook, surely you will be an exceptional support to him.

Longtime LA friends, want to guess my accountability check-in? Same as too often the usual: AF until the weekend, then more A than planned Fri & Sat. DH had to fly out Sunday at 0-dark:30 for business, so I enjoyed a quiet day putting Christmas away. I had a glass of wine left over from the weekend, but stopped at 1. Room for improvement!

Last thought, what I came here to post:https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-non-alcoholic-drinks/
I respect that mocktails are triggering for some abstainers, but I find them delightfully creative and interesting. Cheers!

I went over my planned limits this past Friday and Saturday. My “damp” January got much more wet this weekend! AF again today. I did want a glass of wine after work, but it wasn’t a huge craving, and was satisfied by dinner and the Fever Tree Pink Grapefruit in a wine glass. Now I am SO ready for bed!

I love seeing all the new people here, and your stories and goals are so inspiring. Big hug to everyone who is struggling this week!

pettycoatjunction wrote: »

My damp January journey is still going well (5/7 dry days a week). Today I stopped to pick up a pizza for dinner for us to eat while we watched the football game, and I easily passed up on a glass of wine while I was waiting for a half hour. That is huge!

AF 🟰7
🍷🟰1

That is huge! When we pass on alcohol during times we’d reach for one out of habit, it’s a big deal!!!! Something I know I struggle with.

Having a better January and feeling great on the AF days.

4 - AF
4- A