“There have been so many moments in the past (almost) 3 years of not drinking where I've felt so incredibly proud of myself. Stopping drinking has been the best thing I've ever done for myself, and the impact it's had on my life is so much more than I ever anticipated.

I always knew I had a problematic relationship with alcohol, but it wasn't until I stopped drinking that I realised just how much it had been negatively affecting every area of my life. People often ask me if I’ll ever drink again, but I’ve come so far with it now that I don’t see the benefit that drinking alcohol would ever have on my life.

One thing I was really adamant about when I stopped drinking, was that I’d still do all the things I used to do – but just without the alcohol. At first, I felt like I needed to prove myself to people – that I was still fun, that I was still full of energy and that I still knew how to have a good time. Over the years, that desire to prove myself to others has faded, and I’ve realised that since I stopped drinking I’m actually way more fun, have so much more energy, and I have an even better time without alcohol. I still do all the things I used to: I go out, I go to festivals, I go to parties…but now I just do it without alcohol. Sometimes, depending on who I’m with or the context of the situation, I don’t even mention that I don’t drink – and majority of the time, people don’t even notice.

Stopping drinking has opened my eyes up to so many things. Number one being how messed up society is in terms of the way that drinking is regarded – how drinking is the norm, and how not drinking means you’re the ‘other’. But also, how there is so much more to life than getting absolutely smashed – something I couldn’t quite comprehend before. I’ve discovered so many new hobbies, interests and passions since I stopped drinking, and I’ve learned so much about myself in the process. I feel like me without alcohol is the real me, and I’m so grateful to be able to be that person now.”