Sober September Challenge!!!

[choice]

I'm really happy about reaching my goal this year and think it would be fantastic to celebrate September by being sober.

Last year I found My Way Out with a screaming headache from a lingering 2 day hangover. When Sunbeam started this thread a year ago I got so inspired and the support was amazing. It's a great month to experiment with being sober.... it doesn't have a ton of holiday parties.. unless a party is defined by any day ending in a "Y" (guilty... in the past of thinking that was funny).

It's a good thread to figure out your first 30 days (if that's where your at) a good time to detox... whatever your goal is... it's kinda fun to share the experience with others. Sometimes it's not so fun... and then we can help each other out.

ODAT. (One Day at a Time) to get us through the month. Jump in at any time during the month of September and you will be welcomed with open arms. All new comers welcome and hopefully some of the old timers will chime in with some helpful advice to help everyone reach their goal. Lets shoot for AF (Alcohol Free). That being said... the path isn't always a strait line... it is your own way out. I thought I'd start it a few days earlier so we could gear up. Maybe have a subject for each week? Any ideas?

Sober September anyone?...

[Juja]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Count me in, choice.

Come one, come all!:welcome:






"Something suffered, something learned."

[Phoebe30]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Whoopeeee I'm in, looking forward to it xx

[Today]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Count me in too! I was hoping someone would get something going for September, together we can do it and have AF month. I started AF Aug 6 so I was bit bummed I couldn't have full AF month then but Sept will be!

I have couple things to gear myself up for; first my birthday is at the end of Sept and I doubt I haven't dranken on it since I was 18. Second, I'm going to Vegas in October and want a good foundation to plan for an AF vacation. Even though what happens in Vegas... I think I'd like to remember this trip!

Choice, great idea. I like the idea of topics up for discussion too. They will probably naturally come up as we progress.

[tonstantweader]

Sober September Challenge!!!

I"d like to join too. I started AF on August 2, so a complete AF month would be good for me too.
How about strategies to cope with being AF on vacations and/or at social events? Seems as if a lot of people are struggling with that.

[leaveinsilence]

Sober September Challenge!!!

fi'm in

Sept is the start of a busy few months of birthdays and whatever then the lead up to christmas, last year i ended an AF run during this time of year so it will good to have another something to keep me on track.

Also im seeing a dietician on the 31st aug so some healthy motivation wont go amiss

[Turnagain]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Thanks for taking the lead on this Choice. I do like the idea of curating the conversation in terms of basic subjects.

Dealing with vacations and special events is a great suggestion...Tonst.

I'd like to learn and share more about nutrition and healing....as we progress past detox.

[JackieClaire]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Can I be your oldbie, please.

I well remember Sunbeam's thread from last year. It was a really strong thread and the successes flowed out of it.

Anything I can do to help just shout.

[choice]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Yay!!! I couldn't wait to check and see who wanted to join together for September!!! So excited for this upcoming month. I've got my soon to be niece here so I got to run and make her some pancakes... but will check in later. In the mean time... I think it's a great idea to think up some strategies for AF vacations and social events it's a great topic Tonstantweader. Jackie PLEASE be the oldie!!! Who can resist that puppy icon??

Witchy my dear New Zealand friend!! :l We'll be on the same time zone and a day a head of the north so that will be amazing... Happy Birthday month..

AH!!! kido calling....
Juja, Phoebe, Today, leavein, turnagain SO happy your here.

See you guys soon :l

[choice]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Ooppps Today!! you have the same icon as my friend Witchy... I'm sorry I thought it was here.. :H I think I may be the only one from New Zealand so far... I do love BC My Dad is Canadian. Happy Birthday month to ya!

[Barbara1234]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Count me in! Looking forward to an AF September!

[patrice]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Hiya all
I would like to join this thread.. I found this site a long time ago but since then have only 46 AL days.. I felt so great, proud and happy with myself. That was over a year ago and I have been drinking since
I have recently arrived in a new country, got a good job and I want to start this new life AL free
Choice, I am also from NZ - I arrived in NZ back in December after 20 yrs away - only to have earthquakes scupper any possibility of a job .. so I had to move again. Of course, I have been using that stress as an excuse to drink. I want to stop...
take care
patrice

[Monica]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Count me in - another Down Underer for the team! Am starting today, to get some practice in before September. Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, and determined to make a go of it, this time.

[Phoebe30]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Loving the thought of sharing ideas to cope in social events. I've found the hardest time for me is seeing everyone at the start of the party first one or two drinks, then when I see peops getting drunk and changing I feel kinda relieved xx

[choice]

Sober September Challenge!!!

Hiya Barbara, Patrice, Monica, and Phoebe

Are you in NZ still Patrice? The earthquakes are so tragic I don't know how people are coping with the stress. My nerves would be shot. I am out of work myself, so I'm really glad I'm not drinking because I don't know how I could keep my sanity if I were. Towards the end I became a day drinker and liked to isolate... not good when out of work for sure.

Monica I hear ya on sick and tired of being sick and tired. I swear some of my last hangovers I thought I was going to die. I was in such physical pain. I think having a few days to sorta prepare for the 30 day challenge is a perfect start.

Barbara, I'm really looking forward to September too. So glad your gonna do this I think it's going to be a great AF month.

Phoebe, I agree it's the start of the party where I feel most... uncomfortable... I think it's the explaining part that bugs me. Especially with folks who I use to drink heavily with. I'm finding that most people don't care at all about my not drinking and actually are pretty supportive. Almost relieved sometimes that they don't need to drink.... to prove they are hanging out?... if that makes since.

One of my biggest security blankets in the beginning of an event is to totally take charge of getting myself an AF drink... Before someone even asks me what I'd like. Normally I drink water on ice with a lemon or lime. I don't let it ever let it get empty. And always respond "I'm good" whenever asked for a drink. Even if my glass is empty and I actually do want more sprite.. water.. whatever... I do this because I want to be in charge of my glass and I've found it makes others around me less interested in what I'm doing.

I do say "I don't drink" when pressed .... but it took me a while to get those words out... mostly because I didn't think I could do this and really wanted to be sure of myself before I said it. I was insecure about what people would think... now I find myself thinking a lot about how nice people can be... or how rude and sloppy a person can get when they don't want to drink alone.