Dry January 2023 Thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np. I have made it so far, but I am disappointed with the results so far. I am still tired, even more so at times. No less foggy. And only lost a pound or two (I expected more since drinking makes me eat more). But I feel like I am getting better sleep the last day or two, so maybe things are looking up,

Strangest thing is I have less motivation to do my work. I think I used drinking as motivation (work hard and get a glass of wine at night). I did not even realize I did it. Still happy I am doing dry January. I was starting to drink too much, too often.

How old are you?

[Anonymous]

I like that I’ve made it this far. It’s the furthest I’ve gotten any January. I’m very confident I am going the whole month. I think this will be something I continue through the year.

[Anonymous]

Still going well, and I know that I’ll make it, but feel like I’ve gotten to the point where I’m less enthusiastic and a little bored about doing it. But that also is true for the other new habits that I’m trying out this month, so I suspect it’s all normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Still going well, and I know that I’ll make it, but feel like I’ve gotten to the point where I’m less enthusiastic and a little bored about doing it. But that also is true for the other new habits that I’m trying out this month, so I suspect it’s all normal.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just discovered a market near me has a large selection of non-alcoholic spirits, wines, and beers. They’re stupid expensive, but I’m going to try them for special treats on weekends. I tried the sparkling rose alternative first. It doesn’t taste like wine - much more fruity. But there was a nice tartness to it and it looked pretty in a glass. I’ll give it a 6/10.

Where is this market? I have been looking in WF and Balducci's for wine alternatives and not much luck. I did see Tost at Balducci's but didn't try it. I am interested in trying Surely but can't find it anywhere except online. In the meantime, I've been treating myself to WF blood orange sparkling sodas on occasion, but not every night given the sugar content. I did pour myself a small glass of sauvignon blanc the other night right at the halfway point-took a sip or two, but to be honest, it tasted strong to me and I think my body has fully adapted to not having wine. I had no desire to drink it. Will I keep this up in February? too early to tell, but I'm liking this so far and moving forward, I think I will limit wine to only a special event or a special dinner out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np. I have made it so far, but I am disappointed with the results so far. I am still tired, even more so at times. No less foggy. And only lost a pound or two (I expected more since drinking makes me eat more). But I feel like I am getting better sleep the last day or two, so maybe things are looking up,

Strangest thing is I have less motivation to do my work. I think I used drinking as motivation (work hard and get a glass of wine at night). I did not even realize I did it. Still happy I am doing dry January. I was starting to drink too much, too often.

I don't lose weight, either, but I know my body is healthier on the inside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Np. I have made it so far, but I am disappointed with the results so far. I am still tired, even more so at times. No less foggy. And only lost a pound or two (I expected more since drinking makes me eat more). But I feel like I am getting better sleep the last day or two, so maybe things are looking up,

Strangest thing is I have less motivation to do my work. I think I used drinking as motivation (work hard and get a glass of wine at night). I did not even realize I did it. Still happy I am doing dry January. I was starting to drink too much, too often.

How old are you?

Are you male or female? You might want to get your thyroid checked if you're feeling tired and foggy even without the wine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Still going well, and I know that I’ll make it, but feel like I’ve gotten to the point where I’m less enthusiastic and a little bored about doing it. But that also is true for the other new habits that I’m trying out this month, so I suspect it’s all normal.

This is me exactly. I was enthusiastic the first couple of weeks -- necessary to overcome the cravings and natural tendency to cave to desire.

Now I'm 100% committed to finishing and it just feels like a long slog to February.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Np. I have made it so far, but I am disappointed with the results so far. I am still tired, even more so at times. No less foggy. And only lost a pound or two (I expected more since drinking makes me eat more). But I feel like I am getting better sleep the last day or two, so maybe things are looking up,

Strangest thing is I have less motivation to do my work. I think I used drinking as motivation (work hard and get a glass of wine at night). I did not even realize I did it. Still happy I am doing dry January. I was starting to drink too much, too often.

I don't lose weight, either, but I know my body is healthier on the inside.

This is what I try to tell myself, but it's hard. I'm another person (female, age 44) who is just as tired, still has all the same aches and pains, and has lost no weight this month. Maybe my face looks a bit better? Maybe?

The benefit of dry January for me is mostly proof that I can abstain rather than about any health benefit I feel or notice.

[Anonymous]

For some reason all day today I have been craving a glass of wine with dinner tonight. Luckily, working from home (no option to stop on way home) and no wine in the house.

[Anonymous]

I usually do dry january and I'm doing it this year, but with a different spin. I have a health issue that is preventing me from drinking this year. it feels different. I'm not using willpower at all because drinking is just not an option, health-wise. Sometimes, i drink more often than I should because my friends drink a lot. Every gathering is about drinking, but fortunately, it is not hard for me to stop and I never miss it when I'm not drinking.

[Anonymous]

Day 18.
This isn’t my first dry January, but maybe my easiest. We’ve done zero socializing, which is pretty much the only time I drink. I do occasionally drink at home but that was easy to give up.

I do miss people though.

[Anonymous]

Good so far. I’m the kind of person that uses alcohol to leave the world behind in a way. I actually think a certain amount of alcohol extends the lifespan but often I go over the limit so cutting back is what I want. I’m a Christian and deep inside believe that earth is not my home. I listen to this guy
videos that help me leave the earth for periods of time.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1U1hYZR1xCY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Still going well, and I know that I’ll make it, but feel like I’ve gotten to the point where I’m less enthusiastic and a little bored about doing it. But that also is true for the other new habits that I’m trying out this month, so I suspect it’s all normal.

+1. Dry month (or two or three) is honestly so easy for us. But it’s so freakin’ boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np. I have made it so far, but I am disappointed with the results so far. I am still tired, even more so at times. No less foggy. And only lost a pound or two (I expected more since drinking makes me eat more). But I feel like I am getting better sleep the last day or two, so maybe things are looking up,

Strangest thing is I have less motivation to do my work. I think I used drinking as motivation (work hard and get a glass of wine at night). I did not even realize I did it. Still happy I am doing dry January. I was starting to drink too much, too often.

Same. I think the social media influencers and clickbait writers who claim sobriety CHANGES YOUR LIFE are liars. I don’t feel any different. I don’t sleep any different. I don’t now have this super clear mind. Just bored. I don’t deny that there is way too much alcoholism going on and it’s shoved in our faces and glorified to an uncomfortable degree. However, not having a glass of wine with dinner for a month or ever again isn’t life-changing.