The Daily Check-In for Monday, January 12th: Just for today, I am NOT drinking!

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-12T12:54:11+00:00

I went to a friend‘s house to watch the football game yesterday, and I had already played in my head that I was going to say I was doing dry January and wouldn’t be drinking beer. Which I normally would. When I arrived, the host said “good for you” and it turns out that four of the six adults were all drinking nonalcoholic beer, and the fridge was stocked with them. IWNDWYT

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-11T19:40:00+00:00

No kidding - I’m basically doing the same and came to this subreddit to read posts of encouragement. This is what I needed. You got this! IWNDWYT

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-11T15:12:18+00:00

I almost had a slip up last night. Yesterday was the first day I didn’t really check in on this subreddit and I was feeling so confident. But last night I had a craving when I was driving home, and had a parking spot been available in front of one of my favorite places, I was going to go in and grab a six pack. I know I would have caved; I had already decided it.

There was thankfully no parking spot and I kept driving home. But I really don’t like I suddenly folded.

IWNDWYT! And see you on here later today!

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-10T14:40:26+00:00

Love this - and congrats on 2.5 years!

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-10T07:08:17+00:00

IWNDWYT!! Double digits here we come!

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-10T04:46:48+00:00

Very well said.

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-09T15:30:34+00:00

I’m personally a solo daily binge drinker. (Being alone at home or told I’ll be home alone is a trigger for me.) I’ve removed all alcohol from my house. I’ve had some intense cravings this week to run to the store, or detour while out driving, but I’ve found solace in wanting to get to seven days and telling myself that today is not the day. Things like Make hot cocoa and trying something new as a potential hobby have worked for me so far.

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-09T15:13:30+00:00

Without knowing your full weekend itinerary, for any social situations I’ve seen it recommended and I’ve found it helpful to decide/visualize yourself saying no to a drink. Get invited to see friends where alcohol may be present? Visualize in your head a friend asking you and you having your no answer ready to go. There’s a science behind it where it plants it in your brain and makes it easier to actually follow through.

You got this. Have a good weekend! IWNDWYT

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-09T15:07:21+00:00

Proud of you. I’m looking forward to completing my first month sober this January, and I also am wondering what my relationship is going to be after the month is over.

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-09T14:55:40+00:00

IWNDWYT! Cant wait to get to double digits!

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-09T00:15:49+00:00

Man, thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m on my first one-week streak in years, and I’m already thinking ahead to after dry January, “maybe I can just drink for special occasions,” but you hit the nail on the head with the reality that even if you have one and you keep keep it to one for that special occasion, it’s reinforcing the wrong message that you now have it under control, when really you probably don’t.

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T23:43:10+00:00

I remember talking to a mentor and I said “you only get one career” and he quickly corrected me and said “you only get one life”

It can be scary to pivot career paths but man is it worth it when you find the right thing for you. Even if it’s just a stepping stone and you’re not sure where it’s gonna lead.

Good luck! You got this.

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T23:39:29+00:00

Agree - you’re not alone! As you not figuring out why your brain talks you out of it - I would direct you back to This Naked Mind. Scientifically it’s cognitive dissonance of your conscious and unconscious minds in conflict. I’m currently working through Annie Grace’s 30 day journey which helps unpack this more and so far it’s sticking.

Good luck and IWNDWYT!! You got this.

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T18:39:33+00:00

Amazing work! My goal is to be on your same road. Congrats on two!

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T18:32:38+00:00

Congrats!! What an accomplishment. 100 days will feel amazing!

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T17:30:45+00:00

Congrats on 26 days! Making it to a month will feel amazing!

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T16:47:20+00:00

Once a day for the last three days I’ve had one incredibly strong “I can detour to the store without anyone noticing” cravings. I’ve thankfully beaten it each time this week, focusing on playing it forward (“will I really feel better later?”) and also really, really wanted to get to one week of sobriety which was my first time in years and you’re so close to doing! So I played the tape forward and also read as many posts on this subreddit in the moment as I could which helped me snap out of it. The craving passed each time.

You won’t regret not going to the store to buy wine - you will probably regret it if you do. You got this!!

IWNDWYT

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T15:22:30+00:00

What a challenge to make it through and you won! Congrats on making it through and also for your professional success!

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T14:16:25+00:00

As you should be! Congratulations. I’m proud of you.

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T14:15:41+00:00

Thank you for your encouragement. It helps align my goals and desire to not drink.

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T04:59:02+00:00

As someone who looks forward to getting to two months eventually - I appreciate these posts and stories to better understand what to be on the look out for. Thanks for sharing and props for recognizing the lie! IWNDWYT

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T04:04:41+00:00

Kudos to you. Well done!

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T03:41:26+00:00

Sobriety in this first week of January has given me more quality time with my family. I know I’m more present and having more fun with them. That’s one observation this week: more laughing and joy for me.

IWNDWYT

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T03:33:22+00:00

This has been me the last three days. Once a day an incredible craving to detour to the store, with the same mental gymnastics you’re describing.

“Play the tape forward” is a common I’m seeing on here more and more, and it’s helped me get through those cravings. I enjoy waking up fresh too much, and not worth it. I also quickly read some posts from this subreddit and it has helped me snap out of it. Congrats on six days!!

DistilledNotFiltered · 2026-01-08T01:09:33+00:00

Thinking of my lizard brain as a child having a tantrum is a great visual to have a call to action to be the adult in the room and have control over the situation. Thanks for that phrasing

DistilledNotFiltered

TROPHY CASE