Celebrating Two Years Alcohol Free
Today I am celebrating TWO YEARS of freedom from alcohol!
FREE from living in the grey area - nowhere near ‘rock bottom’ but veering between two extremes of ‘all or nothing’ drinking.
FREE from hangovers, anxiety, worry, regret, bad sleep, social smoking, mindless eating, weight gain, irritable moods, exhausted days, lethargy, stalled progress, numbing out the hard stuff.
Alcohol was taking my POWER away!
Deciding to stop was the hardest part. It's not easy carving your own path and going against the grain. Sometimes it can feel lonely, and the fear of not belonging is primal, it runs deep.
But OH! The joys of waking up clear, proud, strong, capable, and ready for whatever the days brings! Especially on Saturdays and Sundays 💖
During these two years, I have discovered; I am still fun, I am still sociable, I still love to dance, I still love to play!
But now, I dance to my own rhythm… knowing who I really am... the true me. The one I must face in the mirror. I have learned to trust her. Love her. Respect her and take care of her.
Of course, I still sometimes get the urge to have a drink… get swept back into those old ideas that I NEED a drink… to celebrate, to commiserate, to socialise, relax, focus, and let go… these strong cultural messages are constantly invading our consciousness through the media and advertising.
Images of beautiful people, holding beautiful glasses, with beautiful bottles, in beautiful places… sometimes triggers the memory of euphoria washing over me, as I sip the first, chilled, glass of wine…
But then I remember… that ‘wash of pleasure’ will last all of 20 minutes. Then I will want another one… and another one… and I will spend the rest of the night chasing that feeling, steadily losing sight of my true north.
I remember; what I gain in euphoria tonight, I will pay back tenfold in misery tomorrow.
I remember; what’s in my glass doesn’t make or break an experience… the people, connections and environment do. If it doesn’t work without alcohol, maybe it doesn’t work.
I can surf that urge now - ride the waves, knowing that it will pass… and again I wake up feeling EMPOWERED.
I know I am not alone. I am but one many, as the rise in sober curiosity brings more beautiful alcohol free offerings to restaurants and bars all over.
So, today I am raising my glass, filled with a delicious, hydrating, mocktail, and celebrating with my favourite people, in one of my favourite places …
Cheers 🥂
A few of the resources and supports that have supported me
Alcohol Explained - Book by William Porter
