Best sleep ever

Wow! I went to bed last night at 1130. Got up at 330 to let the pup out, straight back to sleep, woke at 7 and thought nah its too early and that was me till 1030!!!

Couldn’t believe it! It’s been a long long time since I’ve slept that long. Yeah I can be in my bed that length of time…but sleeping…no!

I had 3 gins last night…on my own.

Annoyed that i couldn’t go the full week without any alcohol but proud I stayed off the wine.

So…in reality I had 6 units (they were no doubt doubles) instead of usual 20 (roughly 10 units per bottle of wine and would normally have 1 each night sometimes more) at the weekend. That’s an achievement!

Read more of The Sober Diaries last night and on day 103 Clare talks about

1. Not drinking before 6pm
2. Never drink alone

I’m going to take those two suggestions from today. I don’t plan on having any today anyway as it’s back to the working week tomorrow (even though I’m not back till Wednesday…but no excuses!!!)

This weekend it was just the kids and I so technically I was on my own.

Next weekend I WILL NOT unless i have company.

Today I feel good though and if I can tear myself away from reading all these blogs and more of that book I might actually get some housework done.

First weekend without feeling drained and just can’t be bothered mood for a long time…way to go!!!

Oops

I gave in (although haven’t really cause it was wine I was ditching). Instead I’ve had a pink gin while in the bath. A very small one. Well that’s what i told myself but when I actually measured it, it wasn’t the 25ml measure you’d get in a pub but nearer 45. Told myself i would have 2 gins and th2ats just a couple of units but already over that with the one.

I’ve had a conversation with a friend who I thought was quitting. The last time i seen her she was the drunkest i had ever seen but not in any way a bad drunk or doing anything wrong. This put her off though and been avoiding nights out. When i quizzed her tonight she said she is only having wine in the house but not out with people.

That was enough to convince me to have one.

Where is my willpower i had all day???

I’ve been to the gym, I’ve been out with the kids for a long walk and I’ve watched a film with them. Its been a great day! We’ve sang along at the too of oue lungs to the Greatest Showman and now I’m lying listening to George Michael and singing along and its been great so why did I have the need to have to have a wee drink?…exactly that…cause it’s been a good day…any excuse right?

I can see this is going to be a battle of wills 🙄

Fresh as a daisy – Day 6

I didn’t think I would but I managed my first Friday without a tipple. My Virgin Bloody Mary did me well but couldn’t convince my faithful friends there was no vodka in it…I hardly even drink vodka too!

Spent the evening with the kids and watched films and ate popcorn and crisps and enjoyed it just as much as any other Friday.

This morning I am up and feeling fresh as a daisy…however don’t have the motivation I was expecting! Hoping a wee session at the gym will solve that soon.

I read James Swanwick’s 30 day no alcohol challenge and it’s making me determined.

I can do this, right?

Just need the social gatherings to stop coming in now. April started off a quiet month, encouraging me as I had no plans which meant no reasons to drink…now I’ve got an engagement party, a birthday meet up, a lunch outing with work colleagues and a lunch date with my mum….

This could get tricky!

Winning so far

Well I’ve managed to go the afternoon without any wine…even though there was a bar on the premises and went for a meal afterwards. Hurrah!!

I’ve declined the offer of going to my friends for a drink and instead I’m lying in the bath with a Bloody Mary without the vodka…go me!!

I’ve had an argument with my teenage daughter over high expecations of what I should be doing for her (she’s 16 and been acting like a demanding child recently) and could very easily have dulled my anger and frustration with a lovely cold glass of Pinot…but I’ve resisted so far!

This is probably the first Friday since November I’ve not had a glass of wine. And its the fifth day since having no booze at all. Normally I’ll have a tipple at the weekend and a glass or 2 one during the week, possibly two nights.

Giving myself a wee pat on the back for now 😁

Ditching the wine

So first post….well what do I say???

Hello, I guess. My name is anonymous and no I am not an alcoholic and nor do I drink to excess (most of the time) but I do want to give it up or at least cut back on the wine.

I drink way too much of it. I used to think 1 or 2 bottles a week were ok but then it went up to 2 or 3 bottles. And this could sometimes extend to 3 or 4 bottles if busy at the weekend and that’s a whopping 30 to 40 units a week easily.

In my job I need to ask how many units an individual drinks and when faced with answers of 50 units (they are the honest ones, the brave ones who don’t lie) my job is to make sure they don’t go into withdrawal.

The majority of these individuals are like me…busy, hardworking, reliable, conscientious, raising a family, keeping a house and definitely not alcoholics yet their nightly routine can consist of a bottle of wine…sometimes leading to 70 units plus a week…..way over the recommended health guidelines.

Scary isn’t it? It’s starting to scare me.

I don’t know what’s changed this week to make me think of ditching the wine but I want to give it a bash. I’d like to say I’ll give alcohol up completely but I’ll start with small steps just now. It’s still a start.

All this week I’ve been reading snippets on giving up. I’m amazed at the amount of blogs, stories and books on the subject and the fact they are all positive and shows how much fun can be had without having a wine glass in hand at socisl gatherings!

I’ve downloaded Clare Pooley’s book The Sober Diaries and have to say I’m loving it!

Today will be a challenge. It’s Friday, I’m off work, I’m meeting friends and their kids for bowling then lunch and original plans were to have a few drinks.

My goal is to not have any…but I’ll be truthful and say I probably will.

So today my goal is to have NO WINE …none…at…all.

It will be hard…but I’m sure I will do it!

#nomorewine #ditchthewine #icandoit

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton