Dry January Tips

Dry January Tips

Dry January is the UK’s one month alcohol-free challenge. After all the excess of Christmas and New Year you may be ready to give up the booze for January too. So check out my Dry January tips.

In the past, I have attempted Dry January many times but only managed to stay the course for about two weeks before I making up an excuse to drink.

Heard of any of these?

“I’ve got a party to go to next week”

“2 weeks is enough time to detox”

“I’ll have a drink tonight and tag an extra day on at the end of the month”

These are all just excuses.

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Alcohol Awareness Week 2020

Alcohol Awareness

Alcohol Awareness Week 2020 will take place from 16 – 22 November 2020 on the theme of Alcohol and Mental Health. It is a week of awareness-raising, campaigning for change and more.

Alcohol is the most widely available drug in the UK and it is used by many as a coping mechanism to manage their stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.

You may relate to this. A lot of people self-medicate with alcohol to get through life’s difficult situations.

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Lakes, Life and Lockdown – Day 1678

Journaling was one of the tools I used regularly when I was getting sober. It helped me get out of my own head so I could focus more clearly on what I needed or wanted. Which, as it turned out, was never actually alcohol.

I don’t drink alcohol anymore and quite frankly never give it much thought nowadays yet I still keep up my journaling. This is because, like a lot of the tools in my sober toolbox, journaling still benefits me in all areas of my life.

So with this in mind, I wanted to share with you my recent trip to the Lake District, what’s going on in my life and UK Lockdown 2.0.

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Can’t Sleep Without Alcohol

Can't sleep without alcohol

One of the fears holding people back from given up alcohol is the belief that they can’t sleep without alcohol. They believe their nightly drink is needed to help them fall asleep.

When they do try to quit alcohol and struggle to get to sleep their belief is confirmed.  They are even more convinced they need that drink to get to sleep and subsequently start drinking again.

However, this is a myth. Alcohol does not help you sleep and I am going to explain why.

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Out of Control – Day 1664

The last 2 months have been tough for me. I have got myself into an ugly situation with my eating. Mainly eating anything sweet; chocolate, biscuits, cake etc…

The last time I wrote here was nearly 2 months ago. In that entry I talked about wanting to lose my Lockdown Belly. The kids were going back to school and I was determined to start eating healthy. I was sick of scoffing biscuits and chocolate whenever I fancied. I’d gotten myself into a bad habit over lockdown and I wanted to change.

Well, in true Mrs Mac style I went all in. I’ve always been an all or nothing girl.

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Loneliness in Sobriety

loneliness in sobriety

It’s not uncommon to feel lonely during early sobriety or even years into sobriety. It was certainly the case with me. Loneliness is a negative emotion and can feel very isolating at times but remember there is a difference between being alone and loneliness.

I feel there are two main situations that can cause me to feel lonely.

  • Not talking to, or seeing friends and family very often or in a long while.
  • Being surrounded by people at a party or gathering, but I don’t feel I can relate to anyone there or I don’t feel understood, cared for, or heard.

I believe both these scenarios can cause loneliness in sobriety as there is a lack of connection.

In early sobriety it is not uncommon to feel lonely. Think about it, you lose some drinking buddies, you don’t go to parties that may jeopardise your fragile early sobriety. You may have lost friends due to your previous drinking antics. You may not have anyone to confide in who understands your decision to quit drinking or you may be hold up at home getting your bearings, trying to figure out this whole sobriety thing. Whatever your reason for feeling lonely, I think this article can help.

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Losing the Lockdown Belly – Day 1608

After months of staying home raiding the biscuit tin. I have finally come to the realisation that I need to do something about my Lockdown Belly. Like a lot of people, I have put on weight during the pandemic; more than I’m comfortable with.

A word of warning though, dieting in early sobriety is not a good idea. However, you have other beauty benefits to look forward too, which i’ll talk about in a minute.

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