What I Learned From One Year Of Sobriety
What I Learned From One Year Of Sobriety
“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else’s survival guide.”
Before we start, this is your reminder to take a drink of water. Yes, it’s okay to pour it all over yourself like this as well. We only live once so enjoy your life!
Tampa, Florida: In March of 2021, I was out for a walk while I was on a solo vacation. The humidity was creeping down my rear, but it wasn't intrusive or overbearing. I was in Tampa to find out if it was worth moving to. I won't keep you in anticipation if you are wondering what my thoughts are because, yes, I would move to Tampa, Florida, or at least somewhere near the region. I enjoyed the city's energy and the beach's vibrations.
About twenty minutes after the third hour in the afternoon, I was headed to this famous gastropub to indulge in sports and grab a bite. When I arrived, I nestled at the bar where the light was darting through the windows. The televisions exhibited college basketball, PGA bowling, and professional golf.
I ordered my food: a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, yes, in Tampa, go figure, and a perfectly crafted old-fashioned - my favorite drink. I like that drink because it's simple, you sip it and it doesn't contain many ingredients. And let's be honest, for those of you who enjoy drinking, two of those will get you good and tipsy, ha.
The sandwich was okay; I'll give it a six at best. Someone from Nashville will say, 'That's your fault, dummy, you know where to come to get a 10." Let me know where to go in Nashville, and I'll go, thank you. And, I apologize to all my Nashville people for thinking I could get your sandwich in Florida.
But the drink, my favorite drink, didn't taste good either. This wasn't a knock on the bartender's skill - it was crafted perfectly, even down to the square-shaped ice cube. I usually enjoy the drink, but for some reason, something deep inside of me whispered to me and told me not to drink. A voice told me to put the glass down and only drink my water. I listened to that voice.
From March 2021 to 2022, I didn't drink alcohol at all, not one drop. The year off taught me a lot about connection, community, and friendship, and most importantly, it taught me a lot about myself. Here are the most important things I learned.
Relationships change. There are some people who you only hang out with to drink. When I stopped drinking for a year, there were some people I didn't see. And some of those relationships changed. We swapped booze for tea, coffee, or water. A few people I never heard from again, and some relationships became stronger.
You consume fewer calories and less sugar. This is one of the best benefits that I can mention. I invite you to google the drink you consume most and measure the calories over a week, month, and even a year. For example, my old-fashioned drink is about 150 calories times two because who has just one? That's 300 calories at a minimum, not including any snacks you may have. Let's say I drink once a week; that's 1200 calories in one month and 14,400 calories in a year—something to consider.
You create deeper relationships with more meaning and clarity. I've said time and time again that clarity is one of the essential things in any relationship. Clarity with yourself is paramount. Going sober forever or at least an extended period allows you to hear your voice and to honor that. When you stop drinking, you will meet a bunch of people who don't drink at all, and they will encourage you along your journey.
When you drink after a year off, you do so with more intention and purpose. After a year off, you've had time to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol. Some people will decide that they don't need it. Some people will decide that they will drink less.
One of my favorite parts of the experience is that I also got to have some powerful conversations with shakers and movers. For example, Author Ruby Warrington who created the term and wrote the book, Sober Curious, brought me on her podcast to share what I learned. You can listen here: Podcast Link
In conclusion, I'm not here to tell you what to do. Only you can make that decision. I am here to say that a year off of drinking helped me reclaim my power, my voice, and control over what is going into my body. People will always ask when you create content like this: Do you drink now?
I have no problem answering that and being specific. I hate when people are vague because they do not embody their truth. I won't do that with you. The answer is, if I want to, I will. Most days, I don't have a strong desire to drink. If the desire comes out when I'm out to dinner, I will honor it, even if that just means taking a sip, and that's enough. Whatever my body is saying, I listen. Now, I should add that I am not an alcoholic and have never had a problem with drinking so this is rather easy for me. I hope this article serves you in your journey.
If you have a serious problem with drinking and want support, visit https://www.aa.org/
Take Good Care Of Yourself, My Friend.