It's been one year since my last sip of alcohol. And I have to say, I feel great.
Last February I decided to cut out alcohol as a way to feel better overall. And after a couple months I realized I actually kind of like it. I'll put it up there with my decision to switch to decaf coffee (controversial, I know).
Cutting out alcohol has had many positive effects for me. In this article, I'll explore my journey being alcohol-free for a year.
When I tell people that I stopped drinking, they're often taken back. Like it's something "different," which I suppose it is.
I've realized over the past year that drinking is such a societal norm. If you don't drink, some people may think you have some kind of problem or are a wet blanket or something. But on the other hand, I think more and more people are actually choosing the alcohol-free lifestyle. In my circle, it's not uncommon for a friend or two or three to not drink. Whether to help the waistline, or feel better overall, some people are creating a new norm that works for them.
There's even a new non-alcoholic bar opening up in San Diego called Good News Bar (exciting!). Clearly there must be more people out there doing this other than me.
So, why kick the habit?
I've experimented with bouts of not drinking in the past. A few weeks here, a couple months there. And I always feel better physically and emotionally. Now, in my 40s, I don't really process alcohol as easily as I could in my 20s. Even just one glass of wine sometimes would give me a headache the next morning. Or a couple drinks would make me feel more sluggish the next day.
So, after some hard times in my personal life last year, I thought I'd take another break from alcohol. I didn't really have a plan or a timeline, I just knew I wanted to feel better overall and that this was a tried and true lever to help me with that goal.
I'll describe some benefits that I've noticed after a year.
I feel calmer.
This seems counter-intuitive because a lot of people tend to reach for a drink to chill out and calm the nerves. But there's a sense of peace that occurs when I don't feel the need to get a drink to chill.
I sit in my feelings and can identify more easily how I'm feeling without anything else interfering with that process.
Less choices.
If I'm at a party or out to dinner, it actually makes things simpler because my drink options are much more narrow.
For me, water (still or sparkling) and non-alcoholic (N/A) beer are my go-to's. In the summer, maybe add in a lemonade to the mix. No need to go through an extensive drink menu or think up a good pairing with my meal.
Less choices, less thought.
I sleep better.
My sleep schedule is more predictable since I can count on waking up refreshed every day. Alcohol can be a sleep disruptor, and I've found that I've slept more soundly this past year with no alcohol in my system at all.
Even just a day or two of suboptimal sleep can make a difference in how I feel overall. So now having zero days with alcohol in my system makes for more reliable sleep overall.
It's less expensive.
Going out can be expensive. And adding in a couple cocktails at dinner can make the bill go up considerably. Or adding drinks to any event can make it more expensive. In San Diego, the average cocktail is about $14, so staying away from those drinks definitely helps my bottom line :)
I do drink N/A beer from time to time though, but that is usually less pricey than a beverage with alcohol. A can of N/A beer is usually about $6 out at a bar or restaurant. Same for a sparkling water or lemonade drink.
I can drive anywhere.
If I go out to a party or an event, I don't have to worry about ordering a ride share in case I have a drink or two. Since I know I'm not going to drink, I'll just drive. Easy peasy.
An added benefit to this is me being available as a designated driver for my friends who may want to drink. I like having this as a safety net option.
The snowball effect.
After time goes by not drinking, it just becomes normal. In fact, I've gamified it a bit. After a couple months, I realized my 40th birthday was on the horizon, so I made it a goal to make it to my 40th birthday, which would have been four months. Then, that came and I didn't even feel like drinking. So, I figured if I don't feel like drinking on my 40th, then maybe I don't really need to drink. So I decided to continue indefinitely. Then I was approaching one year so I figured I can't stop now, it'd be cool if I could go til I hit one year. That came and went and I feel proud of that achievement.
A couple months turns into four months, which turns into a year. And that's motivating to continue on.
I'm just riding the wave.
I don't know what the future holds, but for now I like how I feel and plan to continue this lifestyle indefinitely. Maybe one day I'll wake up and decide to drink again. Or maybe there'll be a special event or a trip to Europe to make me want to drink again. Who knows?
But for now, I dig the feeling so I'm continuing on. It aligns with my goals of healthy habits and consistency.
I'm just a girl trying to feel my best. This spans my health habits, creative endeavors, and writing practice. All for the greater good of being my authentic self.
Wish you all good feelings and healthy vibes!