I Stopped Drinking for 30 Days: Here’s What I Discovered

I recently went 30 days without drinking alcohol, and I made an amazing discovery. Now, before I begin, I should highlight what has been my alcohol consumption.

I’m not a raging alcoholic (that’s what all alcoholics say, btw), but I was drinking close to a bottle of wine every night. Let me repeat that…every night. Now, I wasn’t getting wasted or waking up hungover, but I knew something wasn’t quite right.

My story starts a year or so ago when I started getting unhappy with my job (day job, babes, stick with me). Overall, I enjoy my job, but I was on a project in a less than ideal situation. Looking back, I realized that I used alcohol to cope with that stress and unhappiness.

So fast forward to a month before I turned 39. It’s the morning after my friend’s wedding, I have a nasty headache, and I’m puking in the toilet (ew, right). I decided to give up alcohol entirely for a month. It seems easy enough, right. Well, you’d be surprised. Here are a few things that I’ve learned from my experience.

My Discoveries

1. It Makes People Uncomfortable

You read that right, not drinking makes people uncomfortable. If they are drinking and having a good time, they want you to be on their level. I was peer pressured (yeah, at my age) several times during this month. People will say, “just have one” or “I don’t get why you’re doing this.” And it was challenging to say no, but I stuck with it.

2. You’re Mind Gets Clearer

So about 3 weeks into not drinking, my mind becomes more clear. I’m starting to see what I want to do with my life and who I want to be as a person. Wow, right! Trust me; it’s as truly as incredible as it sounds.

3. You Find Motivation

Getting motivated was one of my favorite effects of not drinking. I’ve always been motivated, but at a minimal level. Let me tell you, about 3-4 weeks into it, I was motivated to get healthy both mentally and physically. I started to really focus on my side businesses on the weekends and in the evenings. It’s like my motivation when into hyperdrive (nerd reference), and there is no stopping me.

4. You Sleep Better

Now, I can’t say that I slept more during this time, but I did sleep better. Since I was trying to get more use out of my day, I was getting up earlier and going to bed later. However, I still felt rested. It was also easier to wake up in the early mornings.

5. You’re Mood Improves

My mood-improving was one of the most important things for me to note while not drinking. While I was drinking, I’ve been a bit on the cranky side. I would complain a lot and be overall negative. Since I’ve stopped drinking, I’m way more positive and happy. I enjoy moments and people more than I ever have before. I’m actually my loving life.

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Closing Statement

Now I thought that this quest was maybe going to allow me to shed a couple of pounds (which I didn’t), but actually ended up happening was life-changing for me. Now don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t just the alcohol, I’ve been putting in a lot of hard work on improving myself, but the drinking was just another barrier that was blocking me.

I know what you’re thinking, “so are you ever going to drink again?” The answer is yes, but it will be with intention and control. I might drink on special occasions or with friends, but I will never let it get out of control and in the way of my success again.

Photos by Madison Somerday

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