Giving up/ Cutting Down Alcohol Thread Part 16

marahouti

4/21 for yesterday please cathybird. Thank you. X

maggiem

Well done for getting going Barny after a difficult start. It's too easy to carry on after difficult starts.

Declaring early again so 3/18 please for Wednesday. 

sukeyboo

Declaring early on 3/10 for today please cathybird

RobM99

5/21 here  (100% success so far!) - out with the band tonight so it's our singer's ghastly tea!

Barny1979

2/21 AFDs today 

cathybird

August

7 days =

14 days =

21 days =

28 days =

Target reached =

Target beaten =

August targets

Arkers 2/10

Arsenal 2/15

Barny 2/21

cathybird 5/21

Cuppa

lantanna 3/15

maggiem 3/18

maman 2/10

marahouti 4/21

PriceySOS 20

RobM99 5/21

Season of Mist 31

Shaggydoo

sukeyboo 3/10

WBF 1/12

ALL WELCOME TO JOIN!

cathybird

I hope Cuppa is all right, haven't heard from her for a few days

cathybird

I have been thinking about something and just wanted to put it out there, and pls forgive if this is a bit rambly! It was lovely to have positive comments from people for having done a dry month in July, and it made my day, but it bothered me too, slightly, and I wasn't sure why. I think I know what it is though, which is it's great to cut out alcohol altogether, as HB did, if that's your aim, but sometimes on this and some of the other MSE challenges I think it's easy to fall into a "more is better" mentality, as though notching up as many AFDs as possible is the point of the challenge, but I don't think in fact that that is necessarily true. The emojis are something to do with it in that it's a bit like a gold star and possibly sparks something from school days, as though you'd got a good mark in a test? Personally though, and as useful and motivating as the emojis are, I don't feel I have done better in a month where I don't drink anything than I have in a month where I do 25 AFDs or 20 or even less (if I'm on holidays). The point to me is to have a balance, as in a relationship with alcohol that is sustainable over time. I don't ever want to give up drinking altogether and I know most of the people who are on the thread feel the same, and it seems to me completely appropriate that people set different goals. Am I making sense? This is not meant in a negative way, I think this thread is so lovely and supportive, I love every kind comment, and everyone on here is doing fabulously well. And if people want to give up altogether as HB did that's great, but if people want to continue to drink that's also great, as long as they feel it's controlled and within healthy limits. To my mind therefore 10 or 14 AFDs is as good a result as 28 AFDs, if that's what you want to achieve. Hope my ramblings are coherent! xxx

Arkers

Good afternoon everyone,
Cathy - I definitely think for me it's about being in control of what I drink and when I drink.  Whilst my figures may not be A* it is so much better then it ever used to be and if I wanted to I'm sure I  could go the whole month without a drink, but for me I don't want to as I still enjoy drinking, but just less of it.  When I look back I was probably on the verge of becoming a functioning alcoholic with a very unhealthy relationship with booze; think bottle of wine everyday with a few other drinks for good measure.  I just feel thankful that I got a grip before it was too late.  This thread as you have highlighted is very supportive so feel free to express your thoughts whenever you wish, and any AFD is better than none. Thanks again  for everything you do.
3 please
Arkers x

maman

Just to say I was pleased for you cathy because you'd got to a full month when I know that's not your aim. So just last month you'd smashed your target. That doesn't mean you have to do it every month but you just showed you can which I think is praiseworthy. 😁
I love the emojis. I know that once I've passed 10 they do spur me on to 14 but if I had planned drinking days I don't think I'd put them off however lovely the emojis. 😉
Out of curiosity Rob, are you just having as many AF days as you can or have you got some drinking days planned for later in the month? 🤔

3 AFDs please Cathy.