Will I Survive Giving Up Wine for a Month??

Will I Survive Giving Up Wine for a Month??

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

filed under: Radical Mommy

I love to drink wine. I drink at least two glasses of wine a day -- sometimes more, and definitely more on the weekends. But I'm giving it up for a month -- yes, 30 days -- to see if it improves the quality of my life. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!

Radical Mommy: Now when I say that I love to drink wine, I'm not exaggerating one little bit. I L-O-V-E red wine. I think about it. I crave it. I love, love, love it.

Now before you start hurling insults at me and accusing me of being an alcoholic, please take note that red wine is the ONLY alcohol I drink. I don't drink white wine (ever!), I don't drink liquor (ever!), and I don't drink beer (unless it's a scorching hot day and then I'll have one and call it a day) -- the only thing I drink is red wine.

Also, I don't go out with friends or coworkers to throw them back, I drink at home, with my family. We hang out together and do everything that families do -- it's just that after 5-6 PM, mommy likes to have a glass (or a few) of wine.

It's such a regular occurrence that my husband and son both call my wine, "Mommy's juice." You might think that's disgusting, but if you're telling me that you have kids and you don't drink some kind of alcoholic beverage a couple of times a week -- if not every day -- then I know that you're miserable, depressed, on prescription meds, had a lobotomy -- or just freakin' lying.

It's Wednesday today and for some reason I haven't had a drink since Sunday -- so that means it's been two days without my wine. The first night I didn't drink was Monday night -- I have no idea why I chose not to, but I didn't feel like it and instead I just relaxed, talked to and watched TV with my son and husband. My son and I talked a lot, read some books together, and then we all went to bed at about 8:30 PM.

Yesterday, I didn't feel like having a drink either. I got home and once again just relaxed with my family. My son and I normally talk and interact with each other a lot when I get home, except normally I'm drinking a glass of wine while doing it. Last night though, I didn't drink and it was great -- I felt slightly more connected and more relaxed. I liked it.

Tonight will be the third night without my beloved wine. Right now I sort of feel like I want a glass -- but I'm not going to. Instead, I'm going to embark on a 30-day journey without wine.

This will be the longest I have been without any alcohol in about 10 years. I haven't always consumed this much wine, but I've always had 1-2 drinks a week since I was 25.

I'm doing this because I want to see if not drinking will improve the quality of my life as well as my relationships (which I already think are good) with my husband and son. Wish me luck -- I'm going to need it.

filed under: Radical Mommy

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good luck! Like you, I also usually have 1 or glasses of wine at night. Good to see that I’m not the only one! lol After the kids are in bed, I sit on the sofa w/ my glass and its my time to relax and have peace and quiet :o) good luck, though! Let us know how it worked out!

- Anonymous

Posted 05/27/09 09:31 AM

You are crazy, good luck. I give myself a pat on the back when I go two nights straight w/o a little something to help me get thru the night ;)

- zack

Posted 05/27/09 11:18 AM

I bet you won’t regret it. You’ll feel better both emotionally and physically. I might do it along with you!

- jane

Posted 05/27/09 01:14 PM

Great idea to try it. If it is impossible for you to do, then you might have a problem.

- jennifer

Posted 05/27/09 02:14 PM

g’luck. i only have a glass or two once or twice a week.. usually on a friday… and i look forward to that glass.. g’luck.

- jenna

Posted 05/27/09 02:26 PM

I certainly don’t think you have a problem if you can’t do it!!! I am impressed, I thought maybe Lent had rolled around again! I love my vino too. Need it at night after wrestling with 3 kids.

- Allison

Posted 05/27/09 02:30 PM

Unlike you, I like all types of alkiehawl - but wine is my favorite, and we even get the ‘brand’ Mommy’s Time Out. Both of my kids know it as ‘mommy juice.’ I prefer to have a glass or two at home - and recently tried to give up all drinking for a month. I lasted 22 days (was at a wedding, and had some champagne). And then lasted another 4 days before crashing my “wagon” into a tree - hey - I like my wine. What can I say. Good luck!!!

- MommaKiss

Posted 05/27/09 02:34 PM

Good luck. And I just wanted to add that I have 2 little ones, and I don’t drink more than maybe once a year. And I’m happy and not crazy. And I’m not lying either.

- Angela

Posted 05/27/09 02:41 PM