November donation Good luck Lisa!
£443 raised so far
of £363 target
by 28 supporters
Lisa Allen's Story
I am not an excessive drinker and I don’t need a drink for a good time, but as someone who attends a lot of events and likes to reward myself with a glass (or two) of wine at the end of a busy working day, I’m keen to see if I can go a year without it. Don’t get me wrong, the thought is super scary – I enjoy a cocktail, a glass of champagne and the odd shot, but as I get older it takes longer to get over the effects of a boozy night and the money spent in London bars can sometimes be extortionate!Having done Dry January on a few occasions, I have definitely no...
I am not an excessive drinker and I don’t need a drink for a good time, but as someone who attends a lot of events and likes to reward myself with a glass (or two) of wine at the end of a busy working day, I’m keen to see if I can go a year without it. Don’t get me wrong, the thought is super scary – I enjoy a cocktail, a glass of champagne and the odd shot, but as I get older it takes longer to get over the effects of a boozy night and the money spent in London bars can sometimes be extortionate!
Having done Dry January on a few occasions, I have definitely noticed a difference when I have abstained for a month – I look less bloated and puffy in the face, sleep better and my wallet benefits too. Then the 1st February hits and I go back to my usual drinking patterns …
I’m not sure if I will give up alcohol forever, but there are so many great alternatives now, that I am keen to see what the benefits will be after 12 months (taking into account the 2 days in January that I did drink before deciding to take on this challenge).
I plan to donate £1.00 to the Pink Ribbon Foundation for every day of the year that I am alcohol free – so starting on the 8th January with an initial donation of £6. I will also be telling family and friends about my challenge in the hope that by doing so, I will be more likely to stick to it. I am fully expecting to become the designated driver on nights out, but look forward to hangover free mornings, more cash in my bank account, clearer brighter skin and weight loss. There are more advantages to not drinking than there are to drink, but don’t worry, I will definitely not be preaching to those who still enjoy a tipple, but will be watching my own personal journey with interest. Celebrations, holidays, and events this year will look very very different – let’s see if I’ve got this!?
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It'sssssssssssss Christmas!!!! Well, nearly .....
It'sssssssssssss Christmas!!!! Well, nearly ..... and that means my year long challenge to give up alcohol is almost over. There have been weddings, engagement parties, holidays, days out and events and I have managed to do them all without booze. Super proud of myself - I thought I would struggle, but it's actually been much easier than I thought and I am seriously considering being alcohol free forever. There are so many advantages to not drinking and so many great alternatives. I have noticed pysical changes i.e. less bloating and brighter, clearer skin and of course no hangovers or feeling MEH the next day .... it's also very empowering to know that I can drive myself and everyone else home at the end of the evening - no more worries about getting back safely. So, December is almost upon us and then Dry January, which kick started all of this off ....
October update
Today is the 3rd October and is the day of the Pink Ribbon Foundation's annual PINKLondon gala - and the first one in 10 years that I won't be raising a glass of prosecco - instead it will be a glass of sparkling Elderflower :)
I have survived numerous night's out and even an All Inclusive holiday without booze - and it's actually not that difficult ..... what will happen after the year is up???? I think I may actually stay booze free, wow!!!
Going into August
So there have been some key points so far this year without alcohol - including birthday parties, a trip to Rome and a Reggae Festival ... now that we enter August, I am hoping to plan a holiday and wondering if the usual All Inclusive package is even worth bothering with this year :)
I'm still finding it fairly easy and enjoying the non-alcohol options such as zero gin and beer - I'm now starting to wonder what will happen at the end of 2024 and whether I will continue to abstain. Another milestone on the horizon is our annual PINKLondon charity gala dinner, to launch October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year will be the 10th party that I have organised and the first one without alcohol .....
Half Way Through
I write this now towards the end of June and more than halfway through my year long challenge. To be honest, it hasn't been as difficult as I first imagined and in fact gets easier as the time goes by. I think it has been helped by the fact that there are some great 0.0% options available such as Corona and Gordons Gin as well as fabulous botanical choices such as Three Spirits ... I can look and feel like I'm drinking and 'joining in' without the alcohol and all the associated negatives (and I can drive myself - and others - home after. Bonus!).
As a naturally gregarious person, I have never needed booze to be the 'life and soul' of the party, but I thought that I would miss the 'hit' that you get with it i.e the point at which you feel uninhibited and jolly .... and to be fair, this has taken a little longer to get used to. But all in all, it's going well and I've not missed the drink as much as I thought I would .... Who knows what will happy after the year - maybe I'll have a drink to celebrate, mayb I won't ... ??!!
100% of target reached!
Fundraising complete! Pink Lady goes booze free for a year has reached 100% of the target!
75% of target reached!
Almost there! Pink Lady goes booze free for a year has reached 75% of the target!
50% of target reached!
At the half way mark! Pink Lady goes booze free for a year has reached 50% of the target!
25% of target reached!
Making great progress, Pink Lady goes booze free for a year has reached 25% of the target!
First donation made!
Pink Lady goes booze free for a year has received a donation, donate to this cause to help reach the fundraising target!
Fundraising started!
Lisa Allen has launched a fundraising campaign, show your support with a donation!