Nine Years No Alcohol

It gets harder writing my sober story each year, because when I first stopped drinking, I had the honeymoon period. I went travelling, and wanted to prove that life wasn’t boring without alcohol. I skydived, scuba dived, learned to surf, took aviation lessons and crafted the life I craved.

But as time passed, sobriety became the new norm, and life plateaued. I experienced tough times and found new ways to escape, like poor diet and neglecting the gym.

It’s important to be transparent, and while I firmly advocate for a sober lifestyle, it’s also important to be a reminder that sober life can still suck, as I am forced to confront my emotions head on. But, I wouldn’t swap my sobriety for anything, and facing these struggles has only made me stronger in the long run.

Back then, I didn’t know anyone else who didn’t drink, and not drinking felt like a decision that mattered more to other people. I would dread the question “Why don’t you…?”, as it would often lead to an interrogation where I felt judged and misunderstood.

There was no sober curious movement or AF drinks to lean on, so I connected with new people through photography and the gym. I followed my intuition, quietly confident my older self would thank me for it, and here I am, nine years on.

At 36, I no longer care what others think, and want a simple life where I can stay fit, have a creative outlet, explore with my family, and make an impact, contributing to alcohol change.

I quit drinking to find happiness and give myself the best chance to succeed. I’m happier, and whilst success is subjective, it’s important to reflect at each milestone to remind myself of the progress I’ve made.

Sobriety gifted me time to focus on my creative outlets. Whilst my freelance creative journey has been far from linear, the time and focus I’ve gained from sobriety has led to some incredible opportunities. This photo, captured during a commission in Switzerland last year, is a reminder that sobriety paved the way for some form of success in my career.

Drinking left me feeling trapped and uninspired, but sobriety has opened many doors, allowing me to be present and pursue my dreams with clarity and devotion. ⛰️💫