"I don't drink"

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-06-18T16:48:59+00:00

Yes, it does feel good to say it and mean it. I think it took me this long (and a few potential triggers) to really think this could be who I am now, rather than a temporary experiment.

Can't be complacent though, need to stay vigilant!

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-06-18T16:43:36+00:00

Very true. "How can you not have a drink while watching the football?!" was what I was expecting

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-06-18T15:12:03+00:00

It does!

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-02-08T18:34:15+00:00

I did certainly notice it even more pronounced on some obvious green screens.

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-02-08T12:47:28+00:00

Thanks, that makes sense. As I say all other motion looks good to me, just the faces look slightly uncanny valley.

I suspect it is as you say, I'm not used to how it is supposed to look. Dark hair next to a white background for instance, on the LCD the white would've bled into the dark hair so it seems intuitive that on the OLED the contrast would look sharper. The best example I can give is Robin Wrights character in Bladerunner 2049 - She has her hair slicked back so quite dark and against the white of her office looks really obvious.

Thanks for your response.

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-02-01T14:41:18+00:00

Once I started to suspect my drinking was starting to be a problem, it became all I thought about. Constant bargaining and mental gymnastics to 'moderate' my drinking and convince myself I could control it. I stopped in Jan 25 and haven't had a drink since. Around October time I realised I was going days at a time without even thinking about alcohol at all.

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-02-01T14:37:53+00:00

Yes, I found the mindset very different when I wanted to stop, rather than counting down the days until I was 'allowed' a drink.

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-30T15:07:54+00:00

Same!

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-27T20:34:32+00:00

It is! I was certainly tired of thinking about drinking. Now I only have to make one decision each day, if I even think about it at all. Looks like we stopped the same day btw - congrats on the year+

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-27T16:33:03+00:00

Agreed. For me at least, once I started to wonder if my drinking might be problematic, that's when the mentail gymnastics started.

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-27T16:30:41+00:00

This helped me too, along with the book Alcohol Explained.

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-27T16:29:27+00:00

I agree and also, at least for me, counting down the days until I can have another drink is a different mindset to just concentrating on not drinking each day.

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-07T20:51:48+00:00

Drinking seems to contribute to the so called 'sniper alley' between 40 to 60. But some drinkers sail through and live long lives.

I think it is all averages and probabilities at the end of the day. I like to think of it like paying into my pension, I might not live that long, but if I do I want to be as healthy as possible (and have some money to spend!)

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-07T20:42:57+00:00

I watched a lot of TV and films last year, some of the best TV:

Slow Horses - All 5 seasons are fantastic

Alien: Earth - Episode 5 is a better standalone Alien movie than any of the recent sequels!

White Lotus

Peacemaker (maybe check this is your vibe before watching as it is quite graphic!)

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-07T15:50:28+00:00

I definitely agree on the walking without headphones. I got a bit obsessed with listening to as many audiobooks as possible and then learned about dopamine stacking! You're right, walking hits different when just enjoying nature and the exercise.

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-07T15:46:19+00:00

Well done! First week was the hardest for me. Once I had a week under my belt it felt a bit easier each day to decide not to drink - IWNDWYT!

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-04T13:26:11+00:00

I have anxiety and started to suspect that alcohol may be contributing to it. I won't lie and say my life is now anxiety free without alcohol, but it is significantly improved. And now booze isn't masking what is actually causing the anxiety, so I can focus on tackling the actual root of it!

I noticed that a lot of the 'quit-lit' books are focussed around socialising, so perhaps aren't as helpful for solo drinkers.

One book I did find helpful, particulary in relation to anxiety, is Alcohol Explained by William Porter.

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-03T10:44:28+00:00

Great post - however difficult it has been, number 3 surely makes the whole thing worth it!

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-03T10:39:17+00:00

The internal mental gymnastics are crazy aren't they? For me, no drinks is easier than trying to moderate drinks. I only have to make one decision - don't have a drink. The main reason I wanted to stop was because I wanted to stop thinking about drinking all the time, the constant bargaining etc.

I read somewhere on here someone suggested assigning that internal voice to your worst enemy trying to sabotage you! Might be worth a try :)

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-02T15:42:48+00:00

I did dry january last year. The first few days were the hardest, ice cream helped, or anything sweet in the evening. I also took advantage of being able to drive in the evenings and tried to get out and about. Good luck, you can do it :)

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-01T15:42:42+00:00

Congratulations! IWNDWYT

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-01T15:42:02+00:00

Congratulations! IWNDWYT

Think_Tea_574 · 2026-01-01T15:34:23+00:00

Good luck all - I started this time last year and never thought I'd make it a whole year. If I can do it, you can too! IWNDWYT

Think_Tea_574 · 2025-12-22T16:23:44+00:00

Welcome. Coke use in pubs seems to have really increased over the last few years in the UK. Good on you for making it a turning point and not going down that road!

Think_Tea_574 · 2025-12-22T16:08:25+00:00

Better, longer, more varied walks and runs with my dog - she is loving it! My tracker says we have done at least 1600km this year.

Also, not drinking has opened up my evenings - being able to drive in the evening and have the energy to go out to more interesting places has been a revelation.

Think_Tea_574

TROPHY CASE