One Year Alcohol-Free… Now What?
On 1 June 2024, I made a decision that has (and I know this sounds dramatic) quietly changed my life. That decision was to take a month off drinking alcohol.
Why I Needed a Break
Unlike some people who decide to take a tactical break from alcohol, I did not have a specific “rock bottom”. I just reached a stage where my relationship with alcohol no longer felt right. I was not drinking every day, and I would not describe myself as an alcoholic, but after a few glasses of wine, my off-switch seemed to disappear.
I tended to use alcohol as a social lubricant (I am neurodivergent and introverted) or to unwind after a long week. While the occasional social blowout or a weekend overindulgence might not seem particularly concerning, I had reached the point where I was questioning my behaviour around booze.
At the same time, I had been focusing heavily on my health and fitness, and I started to wonder if alcohol was holding me back more than I realised. I decided to stop drinking for a month as an experiment. That initial month turned into three, and then I made the choice to continue for a full year.
I shared more about my reasons for taking a break from the booze in this article: Why I am Taking a Break from Alcohol.
How it Felt to Take a Break
It was easier than I expected. The first few weeks took some adjustment, but it felt surprisingly easy after that. The hardest part was not the absence of alcohol itself, but the reactions of people around me. I learned very quickly how much of our social culture revolves around drinking.
After a year, the benefits are obvious. I feel fitter and healthier now than I did in my twenties (I'm in my forties). My running routine is consistent, and I look forward to movement like never before. I eat and sleep better, and I feel emotionally more balanced. It doesn't feel like I've cut something out—more that I have added so much into my life.
I shared my reflections after 100 days alcohol free in this article: 100 Days Alcohol-Free: Reflecting on the Experience.
Areas I Still Need to Work On
There are still related areas I need to work on. For example, I need to be more proactive with socialising. It is easy to stay in and avoid events when alcohol is no longer part of the picture, but connection is essential, and I want to keep working on that. I also need to be the one who suggests plans that do not centre around alcohol. That takes effort, but it is worth it.
Things That Helped
Some things that have helped me over the past year include an app called Days Since. It is a streak app, and just seeing the number of days on my mobile that I had not had a drink was motivating. I read a lot of “quit lit,” joined the Dryy online community for a while, and experimented with alcohol-free drinks and cocktails. These things were helpful, but probably the most useful thing was paying attention to my health and wellbeing gains. Alcohol creates high highs, but also the lowest of lows. At this point in my life, I crave consistency.
What Now?
Looking ahead, I plan to continue not drinking. I feel like a non-drinker now. That said, I am going on a big holiday soon, and if I decide to have an alcoholic drink, I will approach it as an experiment. I want to understand whether occasional drinking feels right, or whether I am better off without it altogether. Knowing how my brain works, when it comes to alcohol, I suspect it will be better just to say no, but I trust myself to make that choice. I know I will never return to drinking to the point where I cannot find my off-switch.
If you are curious about your own relationship with alcohol, you do not need to make a long-term decision straight away. Just try a month and pay attention to how you feel. Treat it as an experiment. You might be surprised by what you notice.
