Goodbye 2017

Hello. I’ve set up this blog to chart my journey through a sober 2018.

I’m sitting here, on New Year’s Eve, contemplating the hell that has been 2017 and looking forward to seeing the back of it at midnight. But then tomorrow is just another day. My lovely stepson Joe will still be gone and the pain won’t have eased, there’ll just be a different number at the end of the year.

But I want something to change which is why, as of midnight (if I make it that far with the crappy laryngitis I’ve got), I will be stopping drinking for the rest of 2018. I don’t want to slip into the new year doing the same things I’ve always done, so I’m determined to make a big change, raising money along the way for an important charity.

There has been a lot of self-reflection in the six months since Joe died. The shock of losing him has been life-changing and to not try to make myself a better person – and live my life in a better way – feels disrespectful to him and his memory.

I’m very lucky to have the support of amazing family and friends. My partner David is going to do Dry January to support me during the first few weeks and my parents always do it, so I’m sure they’ll impart their wisdom.

The first hurdle will be my birthday on 8th Jan and a trip to Ronnie Scott’s in London on the 7th. Luckily we’re going with my brother who doesn’t drink – and I also happen to know they have a fabulous mocktail menu – so we should be all good!

I’ll aim to share an update every week and hope you’ll share your thoughts and comments with me – I know I’ll need them to keep me going.

A huge thank you to everyone who has already donated – your belief in me is scary but much appreciated.

Happy New Year.