LESS Alcohol ~ May 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

Thank you @SparkSpringtime69 , @Womona, @Michieb125 and @itladyee!

To all of you who want to drink less and struggle, just know I was there with you not that long ago. I honestly thought that two days without it was a streak, and seven was the longest I could go. I think it was simply a mindset shift that helped me go from needing it to no longer wanting it. It stopped being "helpful," even just briefly, to being "detrimental." During those years, I wanted to escape and numb my feelings, but later I realized that alcohol didn't numb my feelings; it amplified them. And some feelings do NOT need to be amplified. It boggles my mind now to realize how long it's been. And I am thoroughly grateful for no longer feeling like I need it.

I'm happy to be a support or an ear to anyone anytime. One day at a time. It's how I live my life, for everything. Hope you all have a great weekend!

@Michieb125 Thank you for the encouragement. This has been one of my lower A months to date (compared to the past few months). New self discoveries are always enlightening!

That beverage looks delicious. The nearest TJ's to me is about 2 hours away, but that's going to change soon - they're opening a new one in Myrtle Beach, just under a half hour from me, WOOHOO.

@itladyee nice job on the 3 AF days in a row!

Hope everyone has a great night.

@LittleSurferGirl7 HI! Thank you for your kind words that somehow my being here seems "time appropriate (almost miraculous)." That means a lot! To answer your question about what I meant by "being gutted by a friend," the vodka shot was in celebration of my book release. I was really happy. As soon as I had the shot, my favorite person (whom I had dedicated the book to) told me not to contact them again. It came out of nowhere and broke my heart. We have since reconnected. But I will never forget that feeling that, instead of the vodka feeling like a good thing, it somehow felt like the catalyst (can't really explain it any other way). As if I had tried to make the drinking okay, but the Universe said, "No, not okay, and here's what you get." I have never had another shot after that. And dumped my alcohol (which I never thought possible.) My favorite person, the one who had previously gutted me, used to say, "Just don't buy it, don't have it in the house." Back then, I couldn't even do that. I wanted to be in control. I wanted to be able to have it in the house AND not drink it. By choice. But in my overwhelmed state, I always caved. Not having it in the house was definitely key. For a while, I used to still have moments where I would think, "I wish I had vodka." But I didn't, and the wave would pass. And now, I don't even want it. Baby steps. And mindset shifts. That's what it takes.

As for only having one shot of Vodka, no, I would have at least one or two a day, if not more. 4 or 5 was my limit. I had some withdrawals, but not many. It was a bad habit. I don't know if I was an alcoholic or just someone going through really hard things and needing a way to cope. But the fact that it was a daily habit was the problem. The fact that it felt like I needed it if the emotions got too intense. That it was my crutch was a problem. I never put anyone in harm's way. But I was hurting myself. And I have since learned that we need to take care of ourselves FIRST. Not in a selfish way, but in a healthy way. When we are at our best, we can show up for others.

I am happy to share and help anyone here who needs it. I've been alone with no support through some really hard things. And I know what it took to get to the other side. My best advice for you right now is when you get the urge (if you haven't already eliminated it from your house), is to go read Neville Goddard, Emily Fletcher's Stress Less, Accomplish More, or even my book Powerfuless to Powerful. So SOMETHING other than go get that drink. Writing in here is a great way to distract yourself, too. Get past that wave of temptation. And pretty soon, the waves will come less and less.

After a long busy weekend, enjoy some wine while watching a train wreck of a movie….. Back to AF again today.

@Michieb125 ~ I've been enjoying the Poppi brand probiotic "sodas". They are different so they feel like a treat.

@SparkSpringtime69 ~ Progress, not perfection…you are doing well!!!

@Katsember ~ thank you for sharing more of your story and for some great advice! You mentioned emotions earlier….alcohol, at least the amount that I had been drinking daily, very much numbed my emotions. I either didn't care or the feeling that I allowed myself to experience was anger. At the time, I didn't even realize just how checked out I was…..

Stats through and including 5/26
AF: 9
LA: 3
A: 14

Here's the link for June.

@itladyee Hi! I'm not sure it ever numbed my emotions; I found it amplified whatever I was feeling before I had a drink. If I was chill, I felt more chill, if I was angry, more angry, sad, more sad. But I DO remember my very first shot always made me feel calm, for a second. That was the feeling I wanted to keep going, but you can't ever get that same feeling with more alcohol. Now, I've mastered my emotions. I can handle whatever they are, sit with them, let them be, and eventually let the wave pass over me without needing a way to "deal" with them. It's a nice place to be. And I learned what triggers me and how to avoid them whenever possible. That is ALSO a valuable skill to have. I hope you enjoyed your AF day. How did you spend it? BTW, my new favorite fancy drink is coconut water in a martini glass or kombucha. Focusing on my health (gut health and quality sleep) became top priority after alcohol left my life. I hope you have a great week!

@Womona I think it also depends on WHY you were drinking in the first place. If you were drinking to escape, then there might be emotions that will follow. If you were drinking to relax, then the drinking might help you relax :)

Changing the focus for June ~ still LA but LA for weight loss reasons. It's the extra calories that need to go by the wayside….

@Michieb125 ~ I haven't been anywhere in a while but I can total relate to packing several bottles for a relatively short amount of time. The bottom-line for me is just drinking less, AF days were far and few between and there were no LA days.

@Katsember ~ I didn't do AF when I had originally planned on the 27th, but did yesterday and will today as well. I'm really turning my focus to weight loss and wine does NOT support weight loss. I lot of times for me it's just boredom or routine. Yes, there are triggers as well and I'm working on getting ahead of them before they present themselves. We've talked about the "magic" of the glass, so last night I had a poppi grape in a nice wine glass and then a Gruvi NA bubble rose, total calories 80!!!

@Womona ~ you sound like "routine" as well. Going on the boat triggers the routine that you normally drink. And you're right, starting with a NA drink does help, and somethings does the trick.

Stats through and including 5/29 (including today)

5/27 = A; 5/28 = AF; 5/29 = AF;
AF: 11
LA: 3
A: 15

@globalhiker ~ that’s fabulous that your DH just up and quit….just like that!! And a harmonious home is a beautiful thing with less temptation!!

This is the witching hour when the wine devil shows up.

Yep…that’s her…be gone, devil! Finding something else to do!!

@LittleSurferGirl7 {{{{{hugs}}}}}

I am super relaxed on the boat. I’m drinking to celebrate being on the water. In general, I rarely need a drink to numb out because of a crazy day at work. It’s more celebrating “time to relax “ (cue the old Miller Beer commercial), or because it’s just so tasty as a compliment to a delicious dinner.

I need to be much more consistent with substitutions. My only wine substitute is club soda with a splash of cranberry, kind of like a sparkling rosé, but if it’s cold out or miserable rain, I want something much warmer, at least room temperature. Cue a glass of red wine!

That said, I only had half a glass on Wednesday (LA win!), but had two last night. Back at it again today.

@LittleSurferGirl7 that is a vicious cycle. I can see why it’s hard for both of you to change habits. Plus (not sure if this a factor for you), when we make a change, our friends and loved ones can feel threatened for a variety of reasons. and the social dynamic changes. That is also a prospect that gives many people pause about making major changes.

On another note, how is Tinker?

@itlaydee, oh the witching hour is real!!!!

@Womona ~ i got through it, i did!!! Another small step.

My husband is taking me out to late lunch/early dinner today…. can’t turn these opportunities down!! So my goal is wise meal and drink selections….

@everyone ~

Stats through and including 5/29

AF: 11
LA: 3
A: 15