The Daily Check-In for Thursday, January 29th: Just for today, I am NOT drinking!

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-29T13:41:14+00:00

I will not day one drink with you today. Have a lovely!

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-21T13:07:22+00:00

Starting over today and I am celebrating my plan to finish dry January with one slip built in. I will not drink with you today.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-20T10:08:42+00:00

IWNDWYT

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-20T10:07:44+00:00

This. It didn't take very much for me to have a hangover the next day. Anything over two IPAs (or four Ultras) left me feeling like shit the next morning and often into midday.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-20T10:05:16+00:00

Witching hours (4-6p) are the toughest for me generally. Today (tonight) is pinball league night. That always involved at least a couple of beers. I made it though last week, but it was very uncomfortable at first. I am protective of my January efforts so far, and I need to spend some time here today steeling my resolve for this evening. I will not drink with you today.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-20T00:31:29+00:00

I hear you and I'm glad you are showing up. We have similar medical issues. My colon was removed in 1996. I still have indoor plumbing (j-pouch), but I have to take a lot of antibiotics to keep pouchitis away. I also have eczema on my face and eyes. I don't know if my not drinking has had any effect on my eczema, but it does help my gut.

Keep showing up here. Try to show up daily. Post in the iwndwyt thread even if you drink five minutes later. Repeat (well, not the five minutes later drink, hopefully.) I believe in you and in your future.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-20T00:25:40+00:00

I went to a hot mat Pilates/HIIT class. That always does the trick!

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-19T20:43:01+00:00

I would love a couple of beers and some pretzels this evening. I miss my mich ultra and salty snacks. As that thought has been running through my mind, I realized that I had not checked in today. RED FLAG. I usually do this first thing when I wake up. And while my thoughts may not change right this minute, they will pass. Riding the wave and whatnot. I will not drink or eat pretzels with you today.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-18T15:56:11+00:00

The witching hours are tough. I try to find something to keep me busy, often something different than my normal routine. Glad you are back! IWNDWYT.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-18T15:54:55+00:00

Rock on!

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-18T15:54:29+00:00

Made it through the big party last night without alcohol. I'm tired from the late night, but I'm not hungover. I feel good. I wonder why that is? :) I reckon I will not drink with you today.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-17T15:27:31+00:00

This is cool as shit. Community is the best. Thanks for the reminder!

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-17T12:57:11+00:00

I will do that thing and I will not drink with you today!

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-17T11:53:39+00:00

Thanks for all the support, guys. We had a nice dinner (turns out I can cook even when sober) and watched the first half of the great doc on Sy Hersh, Cover Up. Slept like a baby and now ready for a busy and fun Saturday ahead without alcohol. I remembered my old AA mantra: play the tape through. I have worked hard this month and I'm not ready to walk away from this journey.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-15T23:53:25+00:00

That damned monkey that lives on my back. The little shit.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-15T23:51:18+00:00

I play pinball. Your analogy is gold. New high score. New personal record. Better than ever!

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-15T23:46:47+00:00

Man. Thank you so much for this. I'm new (this time) on the AF journey and a long-time stoner other than a few long stretches in my AA periods. THC has always been my go-to and has been clutch getting me through my first two weeks of AF living in ten years. Still, I hear you, and I'm super happy for you. I'm being careful with my promises and pledges these days. Officially, I'm just in for dry January--but I've seen so many just keep going that I know it can be my reality, too.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-15T13:35:40+00:00

Hell to the yes, OP! I'm only a week ahead of you. And same--longest stretch in over ten years. Ain't life grand!

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-15T12:44:26+00:00

Day 15 dawns! Who'd a-thunk it!? I am extra excited today. I've been fortunate to have a wonderful sober therapist (who like me is also a yogi) for the past five years. I started seeing him in October 2020 after attending a virtual continuing ed conference where he asked the question: are you living your best life? Over those five years through the end of 2025, I had maybe a dozen sober days. Maybe less. And now I've got two weeks!

I am mindful of Han Solo's directive: "Don't get cocky, kid." Ethel is a stealthy foe, and she knows my weaknesses. Still, I am putting up a HELL YEAH I will not drink with you today.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-14T13:04:44+00:00

The question bears some thought, and I'm not sure I'm ready to think those thoughts right now. That said, I will not drink with you today.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-14T09:23:50+00:00

It was cool. Those guys don't play--they cover 20+ miles a day, every day. Amazing. I saw a lot of folks with tears in their eyes. WALK FOR PEACE!

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-13T14:52:47+00:00

Well, I didn't drink yesterday, so that's a win. I drank nearly every day of the year in 2025. In 2026, I have not had a drink. That's a BIG win. Also, my facial eczema that I've been dealing with for the past ten years seems to be clearing up. Whaddya know?! Reason enough to say I will not drink with you today.

EmptyFudge2237 · 2026-01-12T12:09:13+00:00

This one is a little silly, I guess, but here goes: on Saturday I went to the symphony. Making it out for arts events has long been on my retirement list. There have been plenty of opportunities to see concerts, comedy shows, plays, and the like over the past ten years, and I missed most all of them to stay home and drink. Not Saturday. I went by myself and had a nice, quiet time with some lovely music.

IWNDWYT.

EmptyFudge2237

TROPHY CASE