LESS Alcohol ~ OCTOBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time
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Replies
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October Stats:
1 AF6 -
Already planned on starting today with less alcohol, and came across this. thanks for putting it together!8
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Hi everyone- first time poster here. In late August I decided to drink less alcohol, in conjunction with going on a new medication- and I've been feeling really good! Just thought this might be a way to keep track of me A vs. NA days (and I've been lurking all of September, it was starting to feel a little weird that I wasn't commenting!).
I'm basically aiming for around 40% alcohol free days, and to limit my intake on the days I do drink to 2-3 drinks. I find I feel so much better when I'm not drinking on work nights- and that I have a lot more energy to play with my two young kids...plus a lot more patience. Let's see how it goes! A part of me is afraid that now that I've publicly declared my intentions I'm going to slip up
October stats:
1AF8 -
Hellos to our L.A. participates and long time posters from threads before, Thank you for showing up day 1 of October to show your support and to chime in with vast knowledge of what has worked, and has been a struggle with getting alcohol under the control you need it to be at.
Huge welcomes to @NationalCapital , @duichaser , @lnort0618 , @Walela617 accountability and honesty with yourself will be a very dear friend for this journey you want to take. Everyone here is different, yet similar in goals and end results. Some will be here a short time to help with LESS alcohol to slim down and shed pounds. Others may be here for deeper personal alcohol struggles, and may cling to our threads for years (waving hand).
Whatever your reason we welcome you. All we ask is to be respectful of other people goals and their relationship with alcohol.
My day is already winding down so I can account for day 1 AF (Alcohol Free for you newbies)
My goals this month are very similar to how July, August and Sept played out. Long streaks of AF with chosen drinks when I want. My biggest struggle is a husband that is an alcoholic and refuses to stop drinking.
I cant change the world and don't want to try. I can only control my small little piece of world that I stand on.10 -
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I don't comment much anymore but thank you for continuing this thread, Miss May. I think I was an original member back in 2017 or 18? It's been awhile. I have finally come to grips and am at peace with that fact that for ME, there is no such thing as moderation. My brain is not wired like a normal drinker that can take it or leave it. And this is OK. I don't have to try to figure out when to drink anymore. I just can't have it at all. It would be nice to have a glass of wine every once in a while, but in my experience, it leads to the entire bottle. I am envious of those of you that can drink when you feel like it then leave it alone. But just like smoking, I had to give all of that up too. I couldn't just do one every so often. Thankfully that was years ago. Good luck to all with their goals!9
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NationalCapital wrote: »Hi ya everyone. First time poster here. Going to try dry October and see how it goes. Already got my N.A. beer for a couple of upcoming social gatherings.Already planned on starting today with less alcohol, and came across this. thanks for putting it together!
Welcome to you both!
Great plan, having NA beer at the ready!3 -
Hi everyone- first time poster here. In late August I decided to drink less alcohol, in conjunction with going on a new medication- and I've been feeling really good! Just thought this might be a way to keep track of me A vs. NA days (and I've been lurking all of September, it was starting to feel a little weird that I wasn't commenting!).
I'm basically aiming for around 40% alcohol free days, and to limit my intake on the days I do drink to 2-3 drinks. I find I feel so much better when I'm not drinking on work nights- and that I have a lot more energy to play with my two young kids...plus a lot more patience. Let's see how it goes! A part of me is afraid that now that I've publicly declared my intentions I'm going to slip up
October stats:
1AF
Welcome! Yeah, that declaring publicly thing… makes it real, which can be a little scary. However, it’s great that you already recognize that it all goes much better if you don’t imbibe during the week. I’m trying to get to that point!3 -
If I missed anyone, my apologies! Welcome all newbies, and so great to see people from past threads on here.
So I’m doing “soberish Octoberish”. Less Alcohol wine is really working for me when I’m home after work. I held off for a long time tonight until the wine devil got me. At least the LA wine still counts as less than one standard drink, so I’ll take the win. But honestly, after a few sips I wasn’t that into it anymore. I want to get down to some AF days.
@MissMay, I LOVE the graphic of the guy flicking the wine devil off of his shoulder!5 -
I think this the group I need! I enjoy a drink in the evening chatting with my husband. One drink is all, but I know it adds calories. And I seriously need to lose a few pounds!4
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October Goal:
I'm shooting for a sober October, but if I don't reach that 100%, I'd like to reach at least 75% AF days this month. I fell short of my 50% goal over the last few months and really need to put more focus and work into meeting this month's goal.
October:
AF: 1
A: 0
Day one done!
5 -
Welcome to all of the newcomers - I've found this group to be very helpful and inspirational, and I hope you do too.
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Welcome to all the new members! This group is great for accountability and support! I'm shooting for sober October as well after only getting 8 AF days last month. Good luck to everyone!
AF = 1
A = 04 -
Day 2
Something new to read
Dealing with disappointment can be overwhelming and disheartening, but it doesn’t have to fester and take over your life. When you experience disappointment, you are at a greater risk of physical and/or emotional difficulties. It’s normal to struggle with and feel overwhelmed by disappointment. However, it is possible to work through your feelings and maintain a positive mind frame. Here’s how.
1. Re-evaluate your expectations
For example, let’s say you applied for your dream job, and you were certain that you would get it. The interview goes well, and this feeling of certainty becomes even stronger. You find out that you were a promising candidate, but they ended up hiring someone with more experience.
It is normal to feel disappointed in this situation. However, in the future, it can be helpful to readjust your expectations.
It is common for hundreds of people to apply for one job, strong candidates with years of experience under their belt. Setting a more realistic expectation can help you to avoid intense disappointment.
This doesn’t mean you should set the bar low, or expect the worst, but to reflect on your expectation, and make sure it is in line with the reality of the situation.
For example, instead of thinking “I am a shoo-in for this job,” a more realistic expectation may be “I know I am a good candidate, and I would excel at this job, but there is a lot of competition, so nothing is certain”.
2. Let it out
Talk to a trusted friend or family member. It can help you to process the experience and gain perspective. Everyone in your life has faced disappointment at one point or another.
You may feel less alone knowing that your loved ones can relate and that they are there to support you.
3. Practice acceptance
There will always be things in your life that you cannot control or change. You can keep thinking about how unfair the world is, and that whatever happened to you was not right, but unfortunately, it doesn’t change the fact that it happened.
When we ruminate on these situations or try to change things that we cannot control, it only leads to more frustration. If you step into the role of a victim, you'll find it harder to deal with your disappointment.
It may feel easier to stay angry rather than accept the reality of what disappointment brings. However, accepting the outcome and moving forward is the only way to heal and thrive.
4. Adapt and make a new plan
When things don’t go as you originally planned, it’s time to adjust and implement a new plan of action.
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@MissMay I like what you stated in this last statement about adjusting and proceeding with a new plan of action.
Speaking of plans, I like easy plans so I focus on the waking hours of today and what I will do with that precious, short time and how I will manage my behaviors. Today I will drink at least 8 large glasses of water and allow myself 1-2 diet drinks or flavored seltzers. I'm going out to buy a variety of fruit to have in fridge to eat if I get a craving. Going out for a walk now as the sun rises and meeting friends at the gym class mid-morning.
Day 1 AF done
6 -
SurferGirl1982 wrote: »@SparkSpringtime69, @chicbuc My intentions were to have a sober October myself. But I already blew it! Oh well! I guess it won't hurt to jump on the train at the next station 🤔
@SurferGirl1982
All the months have a different number of days in them. Some 29, some 30, some 31. Just start today as day #1 and add an extra day into Nov at the end. We won't judge you.
Easy Peasy!!!3 -
I am glad to see there are so many people here or on September's thread that are putting either their monthly goals out there or for many, life changing goals, as far as their relationship with alcohol in the future.
Noting: going completely alcohol free for the rest of your lives.
I for one don't want you to feel as if your breaking up with our LESS alcohol community. Our thread has and always will be What LESS means to you. If your doing a 30 day sober cleanse or a 30 year sober cleanse it is wonderful and our thread does not discriminate in that way. We each have our own path.
I totally get it about trying to not think about alcohol when wanting to have an AF day or an AF streak. Then reading posts in here with us talking about beautiful, stemmed glasses or coming home to a bottle waiting for us on the counter from a loved one. It is all part of the brain trigger process.
So, with that out of the way........
Let's enjoy October
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Thank you @MissMay for your wisdom and guidance today! Less is less, whatever that means to us! If I have a drink on an unplanned day, I can try for none the next day. Luckily, we are only given one day at a time - not a
month at a time. I’ve learned through this process, each day is a new beginning! We are not made to be perfect. But I do believe made wonderful in God’s eyes.
My birthday month is also October which may be why I love all things fall! Cooler days, sweaters, pumpkins and cinnamon scented candles.
I met my Sept goal of 33% AF days on a lengthy cruise. I honestly have no regrets and now it’s time to get back on track and meet my new weight AND Less Alcohol goals for this month.
🍁
I’ll be home this weekend!
October Goals:
AF days - 16 - 18
A days - 13 - 15
Current:
AF days - 1
A days - 08 -
Has anyone been on compounded Mounjaro and found that alcohol doesn't taste the same? I feel like it doesn't but it's not totally off putting to me. But I think because it's such a "habit" to me to relax at end of the day, I don't cut it out all together. I have cut to one drink instead of two starting Oct. 1st so am hopeful I can build on that.6
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I am glad to see there are so many people here or on September's thread that are putting either their monthly goals out there or for many, life changing goals, as far as their relationship with alcohol in the future.
Noting: going completely alcohol free for the rest of your lives.
I for one don't want you to feel as if your breaking up with our LESS alcohol community. Our thread has and always will be What LESS means to you. If your doing a 30 day sober cleanse or a 30 year sober cleanse it is wonderful and our thread does not discriminate in that way. We each have our own path.
I totally get it about trying to not think about alcohol when wanting to have an AF day or an AF streak. Then reading posts in here with us talking about beautiful, stemmed glasses or coming home to a bottle waiting for us on the counter from a loved one. It is all part of the brain trigger process.
So, with that out of the way........
Let's enjoy October
@MissMay thank you for the encouragement, and for continuing to set these monthly discussions up to support us on our less alcohol journeys.
I don't find that others' discussions about drinking trigger me to imbibe, it's really more what's going on in my own head and around me.
I was going to try both groups for the additional accountability, but I agree with @SurferGirl1982 that it would get redundant so I'll just be sticking around here .
That being said -
Three reasons I'm not going to have a drink tonight:
1. My DH would be disappointed in me.
2. I want to remember the night when I wake up in the morning.
3. I have a lot to do tomorrow and being hungover isn't going be conducive to a productive day.
See you all tomorrow.
9 -
I like the idea of the reasons why you will not drink. That's very motivating.5
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Michieb125 wrote: »Thank you @MissMay for your wisdom and guidance today! Less is less, whatever that means to us! If I have a drink on an unplanned day, I can try for none the next day. Luckily, we are only given one day at a time - not a
month at a time. I’ve learned through this process, each day is a new beginning! We are not made to be perfect. But I do believe made wonderful in God’s eyes.
My birthday month is also October which may be why I love all things fall! Cooler days, sweaters, pumpkins and cinnamon scented candles.
I met my Sept goal of 33% AF days on a lengthy cruise. I honestly have no regrets and now it’s time to get back on track and meet my new weight AND Less Alcohol goals for this month.
🍁
I’ll be home this weekend!
October Goals:
AF days - 16 - 18
A days - 13 - 15
Current:
AF days - 1
A days - 0
LOVE that you said we are only given ONE DAY AT A TIME. Which is true.
Thank you, you are another October Sister on here.
My birthday is actually TODAY 65 years young!
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SurferGirl1982 wrote: »Hmmm? I can't imagine who you may be referring to when you said, "Or coming home to a bottle waiting for us on the counter from a loved one" 🤔 You forgot to say that the bottle "magically appeared".
@SurferGirl1982 our thread has been on here solid monthly since November 2017. Believe me, over those 7 years that phase ( booze left in kitchen, refrigerator, cooler or grocery bag has come up a many, many, many times. LOL. As I have said before, we are not alone in our struggles.
I do however like your wording "magically appeared".
Kind of like magically delicious-lucky charms.
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Has anyone been on compounded Mounjaro and found that alcohol doesn't taste the same? I feel like it doesn't but it's not totally off putting to me. But I think because it's such a "habit" to me to relax at end of the day, I don't cut it out all together. I have cut to one drink instead of two starting Oct. 1st so am hopeful I can build on that.
Hi thanks for stopping in. I'm not familiar with this. Is it a medication?
Cutting back from two drinks down to 1 drink is a definite win. LESS is LESS.4 -
SparkSpringtime69 wrote: »I am glad to see there are so many people here or on September's thread that are putting either their monthly goals out there or for many, life changing goals, as far as their relationship with alcohol in the future.
Noting: going completely alcohol free for the rest of your lives.
I for one don't want you to feel as if your breaking up with our LESS alcohol community. Our thread has and always will be What LESS means to you. If your doing a 30 day sober cleanse or a 30 year sober cleanse it is wonderful and our thread does not discriminate in that way. We each have our own path.
I totally get it about trying to not think about alcohol when wanting to have an AF day or an AF streak. Then reading posts in here with us talking about beautiful, stemmed glasses or coming home to a bottle waiting for us on the counter from a loved one. It is all part of the brain trigger process.
So, with that out of the way........
Let's enjoy October
@MissMay thank you for the encouragement, and for continuing to set these monthly discussions up to support us on our less alcohol journeys.
I don't find that others' discussions about drinking trigger me to imbibe, it's really more what's going on in my own head and around me.
I was going to try both groups for the additional accountability, but I agree with @SurferGirl1982 that it would get redundant so I'll just be sticking around here .
That being said -
Three reasons I'm not going to have a drink tonight:
1. My DH would be disappointed in me.
2. I want to remember the night when I wake up in the morning.
3. I have a lot to do tomorrow and being hungover isn't going be conducive to a productive day.
See you all tomorrow.
GREAT GREAT reasons for not drinking tonight @SparkSpringtime69 . And your welcome2 -
2 AF4
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Happy Birthday dear October sister @MissMay TODAY!! I will also be 65 years young on October 14th. I hope you feel cherished and celebrated today. ♥️
3 -
And happy October birthday to you as well @forestdweller1 - hope your day was extraordinary!5
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Wow! 2 days down, and it took over an hour to catch up on the posts! I love it!😁
So, welcome to all the newcomers!
Happy October birthday to @MissMay, @forestdweller1, and @Michieb125, and any other October babies celebrating this month!
As for me, my stats were pretty good last month. Just going to keep the intake down to a dull roar again this month.
For me, it’s easy not to go to the store to get the bottle. I’m too lazy.😉 The hard part is when it “magically appears on the counter” (that loving hubby of mine🙄), I may be able to let it sit there for about a week or at least until the weekend. But, once I pop the cork, I just can’t resist. I’ve been doing good with drinking just 2 glasses, but the next night I’m compelled to drink the last 2 glasses in the bottle. I can’t seem to let those last two glasses wait until the following weekend. But, I am avoiding the hangovers which means I’m drinking enough water and not drinking too fast (avoiding drunk/tipsy).
Anyway, had my 90-day employee review meeting today. Glowing reviews though I completely hate this job and don’t want to be working. Now, if I could just get a raise!🤔
Calling tonight AF.
AF - 2
A - 07
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