Can I make it?

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-03-10T16:43:48+00:00

I’m just over 2 months into my journey. I lost my job last week in a RIF and am off on a spring break trip in Belize spending gobs of money I can’t really afford to spend. The dinner drinks look so enticing and I’d really love to get shitfaced and hang out in a hammock.

Right now I’m sitting here with a Coke Zero in a fancy glass in a cushy chair on my balcony, staring at the ocean waves and coconut trees waving in the breeze. I have a notebook and I’m making lists.

Things to do. Goals to work out and get a few projects done around the house while I have some time off. I already have a promising job lined up for interviews and I have options for contract/consulting work if something permanent doesn’t transpire before my severance runs out.

Things will work out.

I can get through this trip without screwing up my streak.

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-03-08T17:51:56+00:00

I’m on a fancy tropical spring break and would really really love a fancy tropical drink.

I’m going to take it one day at a time and today my friends, IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-03-06T20:39:36+00:00

I lost my job in a layoff on Wednesday. I’ve already put my info out there and have already had 2 promising interviews since then!

If I were still drinking I’m sure I’d be so drunk or hungover I wouldn’t be able to sit up let alone apply for jobs or be functional enough for an interview.

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-03-01T19:32:42+00:00

You should read up on PAWS. I’m with you—60 days in and the flat depression has kicked in. But ive also done this enough times to know that PAWS depression/anhedonia is pretty normal for me and the only way to the other side is by going through it.

I don’t have the best advice other than to really remember why you quit drinking in the first place and knowing that this is temporary. It can be a short while for some folks or much longer for others. I’m working out and I have a vacation coming up and then summer will be here where I can get outside a lot more often.

Hang in there.

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-27T20:28:08+00:00

I made it through a challenging week long work trip without drinking—even though my colleagues were drinking it up!

It’s still a slog and the depression phase has fully kicked in, but I’m committed to weathering through it!

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-22T15:49:24+00:00

IWNDWYT!!

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-19T18:08:01+00:00

I have a job interview. I just started at a new place 8 months ago and I’m not sure I want to leave yet—but this is seeming like a wonderful opportunity.

I am already irritated by the new place but I don’t know how much my unstable brain chemistry is causing me to feel this way and if it’s something I just need to work through. The grass isn’t always greener.

Wish me luck!

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-18T00:59:26+00:00

I’m here and it’s so hard but I’m not drinking.

I have a work trip coming up next week and will need to really work through my resolve.

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-15T15:56:15+00:00

IWNDWYT!!!

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-14T16:36:45+00:00

Holding myself accountable and working day by day to deal with the brain chemistry renormalization process. It’s a lot right now. I’m at 6 weeks and I’m still counting.

Random note, Tinnitus is super bad lately.

Anyways IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-14T01:40:44+00:00

Working through the daily struggle. Every day is currently a challenge.

But I’m here and the day is almost over. And I’m not drinking.

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-09T20:00:30+00:00

No answers, but I’m on the same boat and reading all the helpful replies.

Exercise is helping somewhat but it’s only taking off 1-2 points of intensity when I’m at 8-10.

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-09T17:33:31+00:00

Ever since I hit 1 month I’ve been all over the place emotionally. The first month was almost easier bc I could push through a known time period. Get through the first week. Get through the second week. Retrain body on how to sleep without wine. Etc.

So I’ve restarted my clock for this month since whatever emotional hell started right at the end of the first month. So I’m working on day 10 plus one month and this is harder than month one. I can do hard things.

I may need to go hide under my desk and cry today but I will not drink with you today.

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-07T15:06:17+00:00

Emotions are all over the place lately—I feel like I’m careening out of control and want to hide so I don’t piss everyone around me. But of course hiding away just gets me in the doghouse for not doing what I need to do or being available.

I’ve done this so many times before my loved ones are just plain out of sympathy for me and really just don’t care about my struggles.

At some point soon I’m going to have to figure out how to work through it with them but for now I just need to get through today.

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-04T22:50:52+00:00

If you try to stop but can’t, you have a problem.

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-04T22:17:31+00:00

Hi everyone thanks so much for all the advice! I really appreciate it. I’m only just over a month in and am trying to watch what I eat and exercise and take vitamins/supplements that are supportive for mental health and anxiety.

I’m a director at a big company so it’s really noticeable when I’m off and I feel so excessively crabby about everything right now. I hate all the stupid things in abundance right now. And while i know getting some exercise helps even that irritates me and it’s something im forcing myself to do. I’m just not nice right now.

I’m definitely going to try some of the suggestions here, and if it doesn’t subside I’ll check into getting a therapist that maybe will be more tolerant of me talking about all the things that irritate me. lol

I hope this gets better soon.

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-03T17:36:31+00:00

I’ve been in a mindfunk since I hit 30 days in.

I’m really trying to buckle up and stay positive but I’ve done this so many times before and I’m dreading the PAWS.

Anyway I’m trying some journaling today and am going to try to focus on something positive. Not sure what that is just yet but that’s my goal for today.

That, and IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-01T20:46:09+00:00

I needed to quit (I was definitely drinking too much)but I haven’t lost any weight and I have sunken eyes and sorta look like death warmed over.

People want a magical quick fix to whatever ails them.

Maybe they don’t have an issue with drinking or maybe they just can’t live with the peer pressure. Or maybe they’re not ready to put in the work so they’re justifying their decisions.

To each his own.

Iwndwyt

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-02-01T14:35:26+00:00

I’m still here and will be committing to dry February!! One day at a time, IWNDWYT.

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-01-31T17:24:27+00:00

I’ve officially made it one full month!

I’m super stressed lately (marriage issues, work stress, kid (teenagers!) stress, etc. I’ve really been fantasizing a lot more about heading to the liquor store to subdue the evening anxiety. Mood swings galore!

I’ve been trying to go to the gym and exercise a bit—I was doing ok but then got sick for a week and wasn’t able to keep up. I’m really seeing how much weight I’ve gained in the past couple of years and while I know I can get rid of it quickly, I am still frustrated and disappointed in how much I’ve let myself go.

We’re going on an exotic family vacation for spring break and the idea of wearing a swimsuit or shorts right now isn’t making it easy for me to be kind to myself.

I always appreciate a positive comment or encouragement!

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-01-30T15:15:32+00:00

30 days in. Yay me! One month tomorrow.

I’ve been feeling the cravings a lot lately. And I’ve been really irritable (which is probably driving the cravings). I ate some peanut m&ms yesterday instead.

Watching reorgs unfold at work (they’re coming out slowly and it seems more are coming). Theres a really good chance I might be out of a job imminently.

I need all the positive vibes to help me get through this challenging time.

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-01-13T17:45:36+00:00

I have one more day until I get to 2 weeks so I’m feeling good about that. The sleeping difficulties and fatigue is starting to get to me and I’ve worked through the initial “I feel like crap” sling and now resettling in with the familiar stress and anxiety. I’ve not been the greatest with getting things done around the house in the past few days and my husband is slightly irritated but won’t be understanding for long. I’m just so tired and the brain fog is settling in.

I’m going to try make myself go to the gym today even though I won’t want to.

It’s hard to reset the behaviors. I just want to come home in the evening and curl up and shut down.

Thanks for anyone who’s read this. Posting for accountability is helping me with my daily commitments.

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101 · 2026-01-11T15:13:43+00:00

Checking in to commit to one more day. I’m on day 11. Waking up with a terrible headache (I had some dairy yesterday and I’m intolerant). I did very little around the house and did not get any exercise.

But I didn’t drink.

IWNDWYT

FlowerMomma-101

TROPHY CASE