This is the most common question I get asked when the topic of me not drinking alcohol comes up in conversation, and my response has drastically changed from when I first made this choice to stop drinking 227 days ago.
When I first made the decision on the 20th February it was a very short term choice. I just wanted to reset and detox after a pretty heavy and unhealthy weekend away. I aimed to take the remainder of that month off and a full March.
When the end of March came, I genuinely hadn't missed it or found it difficult, and certainly life didn't seem worse for not having alcohol in it. I made a decision to just carry it on and only have a drink if we were out or it was a special occasion. The reality was though that even when we were out I was more than happy with a soft drink or a non alcoholic beer. I decided to carry on but I always told people that I wasn't saying never again. I had it in my head that if we were on holiday then I would allow myself a few beers for example, I mean that's what holidays are for, right?
I quickly decided there was one major flaw in my plan!!! I am just too competitive, and probably a bit too much 'all or nothing'. I remember the first time I got a smart watch and set myself a step target. Every day I hit that target it would tell me that I had beaten my streak.... and the streak kept getting increased every day. Then, the worst thing happened..... my battery died whilst out. None of my steps were counted, and the streak came to an end! I was absolutely gutted, and furious at the same time. Furious with myself for not keeping the streak going. Bringing this back to my alcohol journey, I am happy with my streak increasing day after day. If I did have a drink one day, then thats it, the streak and journey is over and I'm not 100% sure I would start it again as starting back on day 1, or being on day 9 would just not suit my character.
By now saying never again, I don't need to worry about any of that. I can completely free my mind from even thinking about it and continue to just enjoy my day to day lifestyle as I am. Check out my previous blog if you haven't already to find out all the benefits I've experienced so far.
If you want to know a bit more about how I did so that you can do the same, contact me through the above contact page and we'll book a chat :)
Speak soon,
Luke