Lauren ~ 267 days

“Two hundred and fifty days. That's over 8 months of consecutively not drinking a drop of alcohol. Something I thought was impossible. The thing about sobriety is, the more I did it, the more I realised what great things I was actually capable of.

I used to think I was a "normal drinker" 1 or 2 bottles of red at home midweek, then of a weekend I went out with the girls or my husband in town for cocktails, rum, cider, beers and then probably shots. I was always the last one out, never wanting to go home, wanting to keep drinking until I fell asleep. I thought I was having a great time. The thing with alcohol is, it gave me false beliefs, it distorted my reality, it made me think what I was doing was ok because the majority of the population were doing the same or worse. But it just didn't feel good anymore. I became "too old for this" the hangovers got worse and I'd just sleep away my weekends until I felt human enough to go to work on Monday. There's nothing fun about that. That's not living. That's surviving or existing at best. I had nothing that I was proud of myself for. I didn't do yoga or go to the gym. Drinking and eating out was my only hobby (if you can call it that). I was lazy, riddled with anxiety and depression and I hated myself for it. 

So I made the decision that after our all inclusive holiday in Gran Canaria I was going to stop drinking. One last blow out! I actually had a few moments during the holiday where I chose ice tea over Jim Beam. My body was telling me enough was enough and I knew I had to listen to it. 

So I stopped. The first couple of weeks I remember thinking WOW, this is it. I knew I wanted more of this feeling. I dived into the world of sober Instagram, podcasts, quit lit, and started connecting with all these wonderful strangers in the sober community who understood exactly how I was feeling. That connection is invaluable. Now I'm 34 and feel like I'm just starting to live my life properly. I'm exercising, meditating, I've given up meat, I completed Snowdon! I have more confidence and a better social life than I've ever had (sobriety is NOT boring!) I still have down days but I know now that these feelings are authentic and not induced by alcohol. I acknowledge them, talk about them and move on. My ability to handle stress and anxiety is getting better and better everyday. I generally feel this sense of calm and that's all down to sobriety and self care. 

The not drinking alcohol part I found relatively easy. It's the navigating a society that is saturated with alcohol that is the hard part. Weddings, christenings, funerals, big birthday parties, gigs, football, work nights out etc. etc. I had a few challenges around 6 weeks, 80 days and 7 months. Now I know this is quite common. It's not always sunshine and herbal tea, but there are a hell of a lot more good days than bad.

I can hand on heart say I never want to go back to drinking alcohol ever again.”