Day 2093 celebrating 7 years alcohol free with a very lazy day!!

Look at how much money I have saved by not drinking….. £19,700.

I have not drank 17,500 units of alcohol, that’s gotta be a good thing, right?!

7 years since I started dry January.

7 years since I started one of the most difficult challenges of my life, but I hated the person I had become.

I had been off sick from work for 3 months. I’d actually just gone back to work but that only lasted another 5 months…. And then I was done for good.

I was cast aside by the industry that had made me ill.

Actually let’s be clear here…. I was working for a few men that were far too political and far too aggressive or my people pleasing personality. They tied me up in knots. The spoke to me like shit but I tried to be kind to my team and I just got crushed in the middle.

It was never the career for me, never the industry for me…. I just didn’t know any better.

I did well in school, went to Uni like a good girl, got a good job and worked very hard at it. Only to be slapped in the face over and over and over.

I was a shadow of my former self and wine was the only thing that made me smile… until it didn’t.

It was never just one glass.

I started to black out. I appeared to be the life and soul of the party but inside I was breaking.

Stopping drinking was so very hard in culture that uses alcohol to celebrate everything.

It was especially hard as our life revolved around the village pub but I was determined.

I only had a couple of wobbles and felt like death afterwards. The second one strengthened my resolve.

I am a much better version of myself since I stopped.

My life is completely different but I put my needs first now.

I might seem dull to some but I’ve finally found peace. No more trying to fit in.

I have to face everything head on without any numbing… except as I say that, I realise my antidepressants numb me more than anything but you know what I mean.

I still find it really hard at times, it feels unfair and I can feel left out but honestly, this is right path for me.

100% present in the moment.

I woke at 5.30 and got out of bed…. Determined to spend some time on Donna Ashworth’s journal for 2026.

I headed out the front door to marvel at the almost full moon.

Everything was so bright.

I settled down next to the Christmas tree which is very dry, despite being full of water.

Then I got the dogs to pose!

I started the journal and chose the word RIPPLES for the year. I want to see the ripples flow from me, positivity, kindness around the world. Dramatic eh?!

I chose DREAM for January as it will allow me to manifest and focus on abundance but also to rest and relax.

And that’s what’s I did all day.

I tried to go outside and cut up kindling with Craig’s wood cutting thing…. But it scared me a wee bit as a few bits bounced back to hit me…. Think it was a bit above my pay grade that machine!

It was a beautiful but very cold day and I chose to sit under a blanket and watch Broadchurch on tv.

I was cuddled up with the pups.

I felt bad then I felt relaxed and then I felt guilt and then I relaxed.

I needed a rest after all the busy-ness of the last week or so.

Broadchurch was amazing and that’s it done so I can get on with my life now!

Craig’s not stopped all day, he’s been building a woodshed!

And relax.

Two more full days of holiday.

I’ve loved this break.

Need longer!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️