This is new weeknight sarah:

I has labelled things for usefulness WIN. And it is super true to life. I would like to point out that I am drinking cordial out of a wine glass- it makes me feel special. And yes, I get in my pjs when I get home and paint and draw and read stupid things on the internet webs at the same time. And I do have two cats. (God, I sound like such a catch, hey- a crazy cat woman who drinks too much red cordial and wears pjs all the time. so sexy)

Anyway this has been my routine on weeknights when I'm not drinking. I've been a lot more productive- I finished another three watercolours last night, which is incredible for me. I am struggling a bit though- I miss having a glass of wine when I get home. Not hugely, but just having to remind myself that it isn't an option is a bit of a downer. Plus it hasn't really let up at work so dealing with the work load sans wine is another challenge. Usually our team jokes about wine being one of our 'self care' techniques- and self care is hugely important in the field I work in as I counsel people about complex medical disorders so they can make their own health decisions. So no wine + busy busy work place = relatively stressed me.

I used to exercise quite a lot- four to six hours per week, which was great stress relief. Lately, over the last three weeks really, I just don't want to. I want to hide away at home, drink my cordial and draw. So exciting. I guess I need to give myself a kick in the butt and start exercising, but I've also been getting pretty bad headaches during the day for a while now so by the end of the work day I'm too tired and sore to want to get changed into my gym gear which makes me look a tad 'special' and sweat it out for an hour in front of other work people. (Work gym). I keep telling myself I'll try, but to be honest I'm not pushing myself too hard- more focusing on staying off the alcohol rather than trying to do too much too fast- that would last a week before I was naked on a firetruck swilling gin and making them stop for maccas.

So. I guess it's now day 16 of HSM and day 18 of no booze. I have a cocktail party on this weekend and the plan is to make faux pina coladas...pineapple juice, coconut cream and rum flavoured essence. (Oh god it sounds awful but I'll let you know how it goes). So far everyone has been really supportive- none of my friends have said they don't think I can do it, although most of them have been pretty surprised I have chosen to go alcohol free of my own accord. I'm sure there's still some baby rumours, which I can totally put to rest, although part of me still wants to play along. (Ever heard of a hysterical pregnancy? I'm sure I can totally do that. Wonder if I still get the baby bonus....)

I've told everyone about HSM mainly because the more people I tell, the more pressure on me not to f*ck up and get wasted in company. And in a funny way, telling people has taken the pressure off because everyone's been so supportive and helpful and  few of my friends have said they're thinking about doing it. Wow- if you had told me a year ago I would be the poster girl for not drinking not only would I have laughed my vodka-breath in your face, but I would have thought it was a fate worse than leprosy. Or being eaten by sharks. Or being eaten by sharks who have leprosy.

Good luck to everyone else out there. You guys commenting and sharing what's going on with your HSM stuff is a big help when I'm in the vodka zone. So rock on with the cordial and I'll draw more soon.