Anyone joining me for Dry January?

I ordered a copy of Annie Grace’s book, although I had never heard of it before reading your post. I agree, it is a very different, and probably effective way to cut back on drinking. I am finding it very useful. So thanks!

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Great to hear…. It’s not easy……But my life and my internal well being has been transformed

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… and the final outcome was: two chocolate bars, no crisps and one pizza (and I also managed to get through the month without any alcohol, 100€ saved). Not too bad I would say.

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Well done to anyone who achieved their goal. Good luck to anyone carrying on.

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I didn’t find it too difficult. I’m not sure whether I shall have a wine or two this evening, or feel like I will want one. We shall see. Well done to others who made it or even cut back.

I’ve lost a couple of kilos but need to get a bit more off my waistline so intend to cut back from December’s bad behaviour. However, the week after next we are staying at an Inn for four nights, so I won’t be drinking “fruit juice” there.

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I was in your neck of the woods this weekend staying at the Angel on Friday night.

No temptation to have any booze.

I did have several good coffees from the café opposite.

I’m really not bothered about booze at all any more.

Don’t think about it much.

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Dry February as well so far, but I will open something on Friday night.

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I started Dry January on Jan 12 as announced. No alcohol so far and no insects walking on the wall with my mother’s face.

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Well done :clap:

I nearly opened a bottle of red wine earlier as I was cooking and really fancied a drop. I didn’t in the end though.

Definitely will open a bottle :wine_glass: this Friday or Saturday.

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Today is the 36th day without, nearly 10% of the year. I may indulge a little tomorrow, we will see.

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Yeah, I haven’t had any booze in 2026 either.

Was tempted to last night, but in the end I had a Magnum ice cream instead, which unfortunately excited my suppressed lust for sugar, and much to my son’s disapproval I then bought a packet of Balsen Leibniz biscuits and ate those with him as well.

I did have a game of racketball with my son afterwards and that burned off some of the filthy sugar!

I’m going out with my wife tonight to see a comedian, but luckily she doesn’t drink anymore, so the temptation should be controllable.

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Or you’ll buy a bottle and sink it yourself. :thinking:

That’s one of my observations - Mrs AC and I used to enjoy the odd shared bottle of wine but she rarely has any now - unless typically when she wants a glass on the very day I’m planning to have a week or two without!

Good guess!

We went to a ramen cafe before the gig, and I ordered a kirin, while she had an alcohol free beer.

I also bought a large glass of red wine during the comedy event.

Bridget Christie was very funny - and it was uncanny how similar her comedy idiom/style was verbally to that of her former husband, Stewart Lee.

I usually sleep badly when I’ve had alcohol these days, but weirdly I had the best night of sleep I’ve had for about a year…8 hours!

I got up early played a few games of online chess, then cycled to the swimming pool, did a half hour swim and 15 minutes in the steam room, and then came home for breakfast.

All signs of the alcohol have now been metabolised, and I’m not planning to have any more booze in the near future.

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I had a decent slug of Scotch in a long diet Coke on Friday night. After 35 days it went straight to my head and was then wide awake for an hour and a half from 2.00am. I had slept really well for the 35 days which was interesting.

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Who needs Red Bull :grinning_face:

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I too sleep better alcohol-free, and my bowels are happier too.. :face_with_peeking_eye:

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A witty ditty by Richard Dawson about the Demon drink:

Jesus, what an anxiety-inducing video!

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I saw him live about a year ago and there is a rich vein of humour in his lyrics and music.

Generally, the lyrics are quite straightforward and literal, but of course contain some kind of other purpose as well.

Here is a much more bucolic and gentle song and video by Dawson:

For me I find reduction is best rather than abstinence … drinking a beer because of its taste and pedigree and quality, rather than the hit of the alcohol…and I enjoy an occasional VSOP (longer aged cognac for those that don’t know) … less is more in that sense for me.

Although I have given up coffee, I don’t think I like it that much, and I feel so much better without it. We’ve sold the coffee machine.

However I have taken to drinking more tea (regular English black leaf blends), especially with no milk. I feel so much better, my head is clearer and my mind more easily focussed and I sleep better… yes there is a whole load of blah why black leaf tea is good for you… but that aside, I like it, it’s a reasonably healthy stimulant, and it seems to help your body’s chemistry (anti oxidants etc)

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