Wellness, Wealth & Mindset Weekly (#026)

I'm going to discuss the reasons why I have decided to give up drinking and how it has impacted my lifestyle over the past three to four years.

Let's rewind a few years back to when I was around 21 or 22 years old. I had just returned from travelling and felt the desire to give up alcohol. While I didn't want to quit cold turkey, I realised that I no longer wanted to engage in frequent drinking as I did during my teenage years and early twenties. However, this presented a challenge when socialising with my long-time friends who were accustomed to seeing me in a certain way—always enjoying a drink.

Growing up in the UK, binge drinking was a common cultural norm. I, too, had been a part of that culture. It took me a good number of years, around 20 years or so, to gradually become more comfortable with going out without drinking. This transition happened gradually, starting with occasions of not drinking, followed by periods of binge drinking. Generally, I refrained from drinking at home and primarily reserved it for socialising. I used alcohol as a means to boost my confidence and feel more at ease in social situations, especially as a naturally shy and introverted person.

Over time, however, I began to notice the negative effects of alcohol on my well-being. I experienced heightened anxiety and a sense of melancholy the day after drinking. It would often take me a week or longer to recover from a hangover since I didn't drink regularly and enjoyed an active and healthy lifestyle. Trying to resume my exercise routine after a night of heavy drinking became an uphill battle.

I gradually realised that alcohol didn't hold much value in my life moving forward. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, I had a night out just before lockdown. Throughout the pandemic, socialising opportunities were limited, and I chose to abstain from drinking. Even when I did socialize, I opted for non-alcoholic beer. I wanted to embrace the joy of being outdoors and engaging in activities without relying on alcohol. Before I knew it, a year had passed without a single drink, and I didn't miss it at all.

Before the pandemic, I had already started experimenting with not drinking in social situations. In 2018 and 2019, I went out and actively participated without consuming alcohol. This allowed me to gain confidence in myself, have meaningful conversations with strangers, and be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. I realised that I had relied on alcohol as a crutch for confidence and wanted to explore my own capabilities without it.

As the years went by, not drinking became easier and more natural for me. There are now numerous non-alcoholic options available that I genuinely enjoy. These alternatives provide a pleasant placebo effect, allowing me to relax without the negative consequences of alcohol. Along my journey, I encountered some challenges when it came to not drinking, such as attending my friend's stag do in Barcelona, where everyone else was indulging in heavy drinking. Despite the pressure to drink, I chose to enjoy myself without alcohol as the centrepiece of the activity. I had a great time without the burden of a hangover afterwards.

Another significant event was attending my friend's wedding. Once again, I didn't drink, and this time, a close friend asked if this was just a temporary phase or a long-term commitment. I expressed my intention to continue this lifestyle indefinitely. I didn't miss alcohol at all, and I felt more present and content without it. I realised that many people now drink mainly due to social pressure rather than their genuine desire to do so. Observing this shift among my social circles, I noticed that people are increasingly open to alternative ways of socialising that don't revolve around alcohol, such as going for a bike ride, swimming, or simply meeting for a coffee instead of hitting the pub.

During my friend's wedding, I had an aha moment. I was completely present at the moment, surrounded by the people I love on a beautiful day. This was the first wedding I attended without consuming alcohol, and it turned out to be one of the best experiences. Previous weddings where alcohol was involved sometimes led to uncomfortable situations or even minor arguments. However, this time, without alcohol, everything felt harmonious and filled me with joy. I cherished the connections, danced without inhibition, and felt truly immersed in the moment. I realised that alcohol often diminishes presence and numbs certain emotions, which was not the case for me at the wedding.

This experience reminded me of a conversation I had years ago during my travels. I met a French hiker who declined an alcoholic drink, saying, "I get high on water." At the time, I found it odd, but the memory stayed with me. Now, I understand what he meant. He was simply high on life, finding fulfilment in the present moment without the need for anything else to enhance his feelings. At the wedding, I experienced that same sense of euphoria and connection without alcohol. This realisation strengthened my commitment to live fully present, embracing and feeling my emotions without numbing them.

I share this story because I believe many people might not want to drink but still do so due to social pressure. I wanted to share my own experience and journey of not drinking, hoping that it resonates with you as a listener or viewer. Perhaps you might consider trying it for yourself and exploring how it could positively impact your own relationship with alcohol. Whether you choose to drink less socially or quit altogether is a personal decision. I'm sharing my perspective to encourage self-reflection and promote the idea of feeling emotions fully without relying on alcohol.

If you have any questions or thoughts about alcohol consumption and your own experiences, feel free to leave a comment or send me a message on Instagram. Thank you for watching, and if you haven't already, please like and subscribe to the channel or podcast. I'll see you in next week's show!

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