How is your week going so far?
This week’s mental sunshine is something I’ve been hearing more and more about lately, but it’s not about starting something;
It’s about stopping something…
Every year for the last 20 years or so, I’ve stopped drinking alcohol from New Year’s day for a few months. Usually after the excesses of the festive season, that was a welcome break!
In 2021 though, I decided to stop drinking completely.
And I’ve not had any alcohol for the last 20 months. And do you know, I don’t miss it half as much as I would have thought.
The benefits of not drinking include:
• Feeling generally much better
• No groggy heads or hangovers (they get worse as you get older!)
• I never need to worry about whether I’m safe to drive
• Always remembering the night before/the end of the movie
• Better quality sleep
Not drinking used to be a really weird thing – people would either assume you were an alcoholic, or try to force “just the one” on you.
That seems to have changed lately and now we’re all much more accepting of each other’s choices.
The idea of not drinking might sound bonkers to you, or perhaps even quite boring if you’re going out for a meal with friends.
But I’ve found the opposite is true; I get to enjoy the experience and the company of my friends without spending a fortune on drinks or losing half the next day (or longer!) to a hangover.
Waking up early with a clear head and appreciating the dawning of a new day…
As well as this, there are lots of alcohol-free alternatives available these days, so you’re not just stuck drinking cola or water.
Guinness 0.0, Leffe 0.0 and Gordon’s alcohol-free gin are some personal favourites; you get the taste of having a drink, without the side effects.
There are even apps you can use which will track your progress and make you feel all virtuous!
Have you tried going alcohol-free?
Now might be a good time to try; or you could wait a few weeks and sign up for Sober October this year and raise some money for charity too!
Do let me know how you get on if I’ve inspired you to try it!
