The Cutting Down / Giving Up Booze Thread (Part 14)

Poor_Single_lady wrote: »

HB if I get a broom it would be a privilege to share with you. But some time to go yet and some challenges.

Thanks PSL!

12/31 please, Shaggy.

10/15 for me please. Not quite sure what makes the difference in having a successful week or a s*d it week. I’m away again in hotels etc which is always more difficult, had a very challenging week and then a bit of a disappointment last night when a meal out with colleagues was cancelled but still managed to stay on the straight and narrow. Still happy to be achieving AFDs and long may this minuscule amount of will power continue!

Morning all, 9/21 for me please.

maggiem wrote: »

Still happy to be achieving AFDs and long may this minuscule amount of will power continue!

Sounds like more than a minimal amount to me Maggie!


There are many things that can get to us when staying AF in 'public'. There's the initial hurdle of having to announce AFness to the group, then the temptation constantly there to join in with everyone else who seem to be having a great time. It's not easy but you're proving it can be done.:T


You've made an excellent start to the month too greenkaren. Good luck on your travels next week.:)

maggiem wrote: »

Not quite sure what makes the difference in having a successful week or a s*d it week. I’m away again in hotels etc which is always more difficult, had a very challenging week and then a bit of a disappointment last night when a meal out with colleagues was cancelled but still managed to stay on the straight and narrow. Still happy to be achieving AFDs and long may this minuscule amount of will power continue!

Brilliantly well done that you stayed on the straight and narrow, Maggie M. I think what makes the difference is being happy and relaxed, or stressed in any way - tired, overworked, emotional overload, worried, in other words all of the bad things.

Thinking back to my drinking days, I could always, always think of a 'good' reason to indulge my temptations and any of the above reasons would seem to be a good reason for me back then. After one, I was always then graduated to s*d it mode and felt justified in having as many as I wanted.

I don't seem to have the same level of intensity of emotional ups and downs now that I don't drink. Outside influences on my life haven't changed that much so I think that I function better, emotionally, without the interference and complication of booze. I'm incredibly relieved by not getting depressed during the early evening after a night on the lash the previous day, I don't feel guilty about being rude when pickled (although inadvertently even sober I apparently can be - whoops, no excuse for that), and don't lose my temper so easily.

So, not having to live with all of the effects of booze, I get far fewer s*d it days, and when I do, I just have chocolate. I've got a few pounds to lose, but I can't be bothered to stress about that.

I genuinely would have loved to be able to moderate, but I know from years of trying I just can't. I now think, for me, not drinking at all as a way of life is easier, which it certainly didn't appear to be before I took the decision to give it up.

13/31 please, Shaggy.