Precisely a yr in the past in the present day I gave up alcohol. One entire yr of no prosecco, no wine, no cider, no cocktails, zip, nada, zero booze has touched these lips for a complete yr. I don’t know the way lengthy it’s a must to go with out consuming alcohol earlier than being formally classed as a non-drinker, however in my thoughts, after a yr of no alcohol, I really feel as if I’ve totally embraced alcohol free residing and I very a lot intend to proceed.
Don’t fear, I haven’t changed into some manic alcohol free evangelist, who believes everybody who drinks is dangerous. And I actually don’t spend my nights out preaching about the advantages of alcohol free residing, rolling my eyes when folks get one other spherical in and I’m nonetheless solely half means via my first. This weblog submit isn’t about all of the methods consuming alcohol is dangerous for you, as a result of you realize that already, proper?
This isn’t about me ‘changing’ you and it’s not about me being all smug and holier than thou. Actually, I don’t thoughts that individuals drink alcohol. As I all the time say, you do you. However what I do wish to share with you all is my story. As a result of I do know there are some folks on the market who want to give this entire alcohol free factor a go and I’m hoping that by sharing my expertise of going alcohol free for a yr, it can make it easier to should you do resolve to go for it.
Why I Determined To Give Up Alcohol
I’m your pretty common 40 one thing yr previous girl. A married mum of two teenagers, who runs her personal enterprise from dwelling, likes nights out, loves nights in, workouts frequently sufficient to maintain up to the mark, eats healthily sufficient to be blissful and nicely, and going via the rollercoaster that’s perimenopause.
Up till a yr in the past, I used to be your typical informal drinker. I’d have a drink after a tricky day, I’d have a drink on a Friday evening (as a result of umm it’s Friday), and if I used to be going out with associates it could in fact contain a number of consuming (I imply what’s an evening out, with out consuming, proper?). On common although, if there wasn’t an evening out concerned, my weekly consumption of alcohol was hitting perhaps 9 models (a few bottle of wine), which was respectably under the really helpful 14 models for ladies. So, I used to be not at all a heavy drinker.
I began to note that once I’d been consuming, even it if was just one glass of wine, I’d really feel horrible the morning after. I’d already been experiencing elevated ranges of tension as a consequence of perimenopause, which fortunately HRT had helped to ease, however doubtless the alcohol wasn’t serving to. And if I did go on a giant evening out, the hangover was lasting greater than a day, typically it could take 2 days to totally get well, typically whilst a lot as 3 or 4 days earlier than my sleep sorted itself again out and I used to be feeling again to my regular energetic self.
All of this had been swimming round in my head and as a consequence I’d began to naturally scale back what I used to be consuming. But it surely wasn’t till a dialog I had with a pal on a canine stroll that I began to think about giving up alcohol for good.
Getting Began With Alcohol Free Dwelling
My pal advised me a few ebook she was listening to known as ‘The Alcohol Experiment’ by Annie Grace which supplied a 30 day programme to make you view alcohol otherwise. She had been following it for about 2 weeks and it sounded completely fascinating, so I assumed you realize what let’s do that. I ordered a tough copy of the ebook, as a result of I’m a traditionalist like that, and waited patiently for it to reach, desperate to get began.
Now, once I begin one thing, I keep on with it. Name it stubbornness, name it tenacity, name it what you need, but when I’m confronted with a problem I sort out it head on. And since I’m a blogger, in fact I spoke out about it on social media, it’s what I do, it’s in my DNA to share with the world. So once I’ve put one thing on the market, I’m much more prone to stick at one thing, cos this lady doesn’t do failure very nicely.
The ebook was a large a part of my alcohol free journey and fully modified my entire mindset round alcohol. I’d given up alcohol earlier than, doing the entire Dry January factor, or simply having a break from it for the odd month right here or there, and naturally I didn’t drink all through my two pregnancies. However all the time after a break, I might suppose phew achieved it after which get proper again on it. I didn’t cease to think about why I used to be consuming, whether or not I even truly loved it, and the way maybe we’re all extra hooked on it than we realise. This ebook modified that.
It’s divided into 30 chapters, with the concept you learn a chapter a day. And what I like about it, is that it’s not in any means preachy. It tells you the info, after which leaves it as much as you to resolve. On the again of the ebook it describes it completely:
Your Physique.
Your Thoughts.
Your Alternative.
And oh my days it helped me be taught a lot about myself and my relationship with alcohol, issues that I don’t suppose I’d ever thought of earlier than. I confronted as much as the truth that I exploit alcohol as a little bit of a social crutch, one thing to have in my hand if I’m feeling nervous, a way of giving me extra confidence when speaking in giant teams, a means of becoming in. I do are likely to lean extra in the direction of the introvert aspect of the spectrum and I’ve all the time felt uncomfortable in social conditions, even when I don’t essentially look as if I’m. Ingesting alcohol on an evening out was a means of calming my nerves, making me really feel extra relaxed and I assumed it made me extra attention-grabbing as a result of it gave me confidence to speak extra brazenly, to bop, to sing, to behave the idiot, to do all of the issues that we giggle in regards to the following day.
Plus there’s the entire ordinary, ritualistic factor. Christmas, birthdays, get-togethers, nights out, household BBQs, enjoyable after a tough day, work lunches, holidays… the listing goes on and on of all of the instances we’ve been indoctrinated by society into believing that with the intention to have enjoyable and to slot in with all people else we will need to have a drink. How may we presumably get pleasure from any of these items with out one or two or three cheeky bevoirs?
Had been There Any Moments Once I Missed Alcohol?
I can actually rely only one time once I felt as if I used to be lacking out as a result of I wasn’t consuming. It was at a Christmas social gathering that had been organised by the operating group I’m a member of. I felt tremendous about the entire no consuming factor, had even deliberate forward and brought my very own bottle of alco free fizz to sneakily drink there as I wasn’t certain if the bar would have a lot selection. However once I arrived there have been free glasses of prosecco being handed out as welcome drinks with no alternate options for us non-drinkers. It wasn’t that I wished the prosecco, it was extra a case of simply eager to really feel as if I used to be a part of the group, that I wasn’t standing out in anyway, that I wasn’t totally different. So for a really fleeting second, I thought of grabbing a glass, to make myself really feel higher. However I didn’t. I resisted. And guess what? A number of seconds later and I used to be over these emotions, I’d poured my very own drink and I used to be fortunately chatting away to my associates.
I’ve gone alcohol free at Christmas, New Yr’s Eve, journeys away, summer time holidays, birthday events, nights out, I’ve come full circle via the yr and skilled all of these events the place I might normally drink. All with out alcohol. And the place earlier than I assumed it was the alcohol that made me attention-grabbing, now I do know that I’m way more attention-grabbing with out it. I can nonetheless have a great evening out. I can nonetheless rise up and dance at events. I can nonetheless have interaction and speak to folks. If something, not consuming has given me extra confidence. I’ve simply as a lot, if no more, enjoyable. I dance higher (or I’m no less than extra management of my actions anyway!). I positively have higher conversations with folks, as a result of a) I’m truly listening and b) I can converse with out slurring, see them with out squinting, and speak with out repeating.
It has all been completely tremendous. I’ve discovered my alco free alternate options – Crodino is an incredible Aperol Spritz substitute, Wild Idol is for these actually particular events, CleanCo do an incredible alco free rhubarb gin that goes very well with Fevertree ginger ale, and truthfully I’m simply as pleased with an Appletiser or a glass of tonic water and even some glowing water. As a result of I see now that it’s not all about what I’m consuming. The consuming half is totally secondary to every little thing else. Now, I’m displaying up for the folks, the expertise, the occasion, the environment, the second. What I’ve in my glass has actually no which means for me any extra. And I inform you what, that’s the most empowering and liberating feeling ever!
A Yr of Alcohol Free Dwelling… What Subsequent?
I’m sleeping higher, I don’t get hangovers, my pores and skin’s clearer and brighter, and I really feel in command of myself and my feelings. Alcohol free residing has been superior for me and truthfully I haven’t discovered all of it that troublesome. Definitely nowhere close to as a lot as I assumed I might. It’s actually not even on my radar. I’m simply somebody who doesn’t drink alcohol any extra.
Once I first began I went with the entire I’m alcohol free for now, however who is aware of sooner or later I could fancy it and that’s OK, by no means say by no means kinda factor. I advised myself that I wished to goal for a yr, to go longer than my being pregnant, and to totally expertise what it could be like going via each big day with out alcohol. And as time progressed, I missed it much less and fewer. To the diploma that now, simply the odor of it makes me flip my nostril up. I don’t miss the style, I don’t miss the social rituals of it, I don’t miss any a part of it in any respect.
So I’ve achieved a yr… what now? I’m formally calling myself alcohol free, I’ve no intentions of consuming once more and I’m very pleased with that call. Nicely, I did inform you I used to be cussed!
Have Your Ever Thought About Giving Up Alcohol?
Thanks a lot for studying my submit, it all the time means the world. Now it’s time for me to listen to from you. I’d like to know what your ideas are about alcohol and your consuming habits.
Are you up for a little bit of alcohol free residing? Do you are feeling as if you’re consuming might have gotten just a little uncontrolled? Are you questioning your causes for consuming? Or are you merely sober curious and want to discover extra about going alcohol free?
You’ll be able to remark and comply with me on:
Or go away me a pleasant remark under.
Writer Bio
Becky Stafferton is a full-time content material creator, net writer, and blogging coach. She regularly strives to advertise a practical, sustainable and constructive picture of the way to lead a wholesome life. When she’s not writing she will be discovered operating via muddy puddles, making lists of lists, having a great previous moan, speaking in humorous voices to her canine, renovating her home within the nation, and instructing others the way to earn a living from their blogs.
