What 9 Years Alcohol-Free Gifted Me

When I made the decision to stop drinking, some of the people in my life ~ and society at large ~ saw it as a loss. But for me, it was the opposite. It felt like a gain. A head start, and a chance to level up.

While drinking didn’t seem to hold back some of those people who drank more than I did, for me, it was different. Alcohol kept me stuck in third gear. While I was still moving forward, and hadn’t crashed, I wasn’t cruising like others seemed to be.

Over time, I realised that comparing my drinking to others wasn’t helping. Instead, I should have asked myself, would my life would improve if I stopped. And it did. Here’s what I’ve gained.

~Avoided 720 Hangovers. That’s 2 almost years spent feeling sick or in bed. I’ve reclaimed that time for experiences.

~Travelled to 14 countries and lived in Australia & US. I swapped bars for adventures in places like New Zealand, Switzerland & Norway.

~Zero Hangxiety. Life’s been tough at times, but I’ve not created unnecessary anxiety. I’ve removed the cycle and the mental toll it took.

~Not spent £40K (alcohol only cost). I avoided spending on something that wasn’t serving me and was able to invest in my growth instead.

~Removed alcohol related spending. Ubers, fast food, clothes. I’ve gained more discipline which has helped with financial self control.

~Avoided 1.3 million empty calories. Whether for weight loss or indulging in more treats, this has helped lots with macro flexibility.

~Gained 5000 hours. Time spent being present, not drunk. Time spent being me. I’ve avoided the same conversations in the same places.

~Freed myself from ambivalence. Not spent time or energy debating whether to drink or not. I no longer crave alcohol.

~New relationships. Connected with new people through shared passions who inspire me, while distancing myself from negativity.

Time moves quickly, and being alcohol-free reminds me that I’m spending it more wisely, while giving myself the best chance for my version of success.

If you’re thinking about your relationship with alcohol beyond the Dry January® challenge, ask yourself ~ is the short-term fix worth more than long-term gains? Would your future self thank you for taking a longer pause or going alcohol-free?

Choosing an alcohol-free life gave me more freedom and helped me get out of third gear. We may not always be able to change the car we’re driving, but we can always learn how to change gears.