5 Reasons Going Alcohol-Free Will Change Your Life
--
I’ve written a lot over the past three years on the topic of sobriety and why I think it’s rad as hell. It is undeniably the foundational decision that has led to every accomplishment, joy, and triumph I’ve had since.
Making the decision to remove alcohol completely from my lifestyle was not an easy one. I faced a ton of head-trash and social programming that had long convinced me to stay stuck in my patterns. If you’ve ever considered giving up alcohol, you’ve probably had a similar fear-based track reeling in your head:
- Who will I be as a non-drinker?
- How will I have a social life if I don’t drink?
- What will I do at weddings? Parties? Happy Hour? Vacation?
- How will I relax after a long day? Celebrate after a big win at work?
When it comes to navigating the world alcohol-free, the struggle is absolutely real.
If you’re not familiar with my work, I typically choose the phrase “alcohol-free” over sobriety because I’m fortunate that giving up alcohol wasn’t a life-or-death situation for me. I wasn’t navigating the world of physical addiction or experiencing the “rock bottoms” society has taught us is the prerequisite to quitting booze.
Yet, I was drinking more than I wanted to…and there was no clear path out. Because I wasn’t an “alcoholic” all signs said I should just keep drinking and work on moderation (easier said than done). So, when the idea of moderation continued to fail me, it became clear that while this wasn’t a “life-or-death” question; it was undeniably a “mediocre life” or “extraordinary life” question. And, let me be clear, choosing to be alcohol-free in a society that is absolutely obsessed with alcohol, is a radical, brave, bold path that will absolutely change the life of anyone who chooses to take it. Here’s how:
It became clear that while this wasn’t a “life-or-death” question; it was undeniably a “mediocre life” or “extraordinary life” question.
Giving up alcohol frees up your mental space
As a drinker (particularly one who was consciously trying to drink less), I was spending way too much mental capacity doing the following:
