Danielle ~ 1258 days

“My journey to an alcohol-free life started with the Dry January® challenge in 2018. After just a month off alcohol, I felt amazing; better energy, clearer thinking, more motivation, and better sleep. I loved how I felt, so a month later I tried a 100-day challenge. Over the next few years, I kept setting little goals for myself, like taking two months off or doing another 100 days. Eventually, by July 2021, I realised alcohol just wasn’t adding anything to my life anymore, so I decided to quit for good.

The difference it made was incredible. Before, alcohol left me feeling tired and sometimes anxious for no reason. Once I stopped, my mood lifted, my health improved, and I started getting so much more out of life. I learned more about the science behind alcohol and how it affects the body and brain, which helped me stick with my decision.

A big part of the journey was finding communities of people like me who had given up alcohol simply because it didn’t work for them. Connecting with those people changed everything. We’d go wild swimming, hiking, out for coffee or meals, and sometimes even nights out - without the booze. It made the whole experience so much more fun and positive.

I’m also a health coach, and quitting alcohol felt like the final piece of the puzzle for me, for my own gut / brain connection. Since ditching alcohol, I’ve achieved so much in life. Dreams I had been aiming for finally came true because I had the drive and consistency to keep going. Alcohol-free life has been the best decision I’ve ever made - it’s the gift that keeps on giving!”