What I Learned From Making The Hardest Choice I Ever Made
6 months ago I made the decision to give up alcohol.
Simply put, I didn’t like how it made me feel. I didn’t like 3-day hangovers, or the depression that would paralyze me with self-doubt. I didn’t like the anxiousness that would manifest in my body. And I didn’t like the way alcohol pulled me farther away from my values: beauty, balance, and wisdom.
Deciding to quit was the hardest, loneliest choice I ever made. I wondered what would happen to me if I didn’t participate in social drinking. What if I didn’t take the shot? Didn’t accept the drink? Would I miss out? Would I let people down? Would I insult people by my lack of participation? Could I date? Would my social life crumble to pieces? Would I still be able to relate to people?
Ultimately, I had to trust that the decision to stop drinking would lead me to a greater, more value-driven life–without fully knowing what I would find waiting for me on the other side of my choice.
In the first few months of my new, alcohol-free life, I dreaded social gatherings, dinners, and dates. Going to these events meant that I had to feel my way past the rigid edges of social anxiety and every interaction felt more difficult without alcohol.
I wondered, exasperated, if it would ever get better. Would I ever feel normal again? Would I ever be able to go to a bar or a party without thinking about alcohol? Would I ever find someone who respected my decision not to drink? I felt like I was missing out.
To my surprise, the more I questioned out loud, the more clarity I found. It turns out, people from all over the world were sober-curious, just like I am. I had thousands of comments, questions, and follows from people who wanted to know more about my sober journey: How did I do it? Why did I do it? And how could they do it, too?
The more I shared my journey, the more certain I became that this was one of the most powerful decisions I had ever made. It wasn’t just positively affecting my life, it was positively affecting the lives of others, too.
As the months progressed, it got easier. Slowly, and with practice, I stopped dreading social gatherings and started looking forward to them.
I stopped declining invitations, and started accepting them.
I stopped speaking bashfully about my decision not to drink, and started speaking about my decision to be sober with confidence.
I stopped missing out, and created my own fun with the help of Ritual Zero Proof.
I became more creative, resourceful, and healthy - and all of the other facets of my life began to improve. I was able to show up more whole-heartedly for my family, friends, and clients. I noticed that my days were filled with activities that energized and fulfilled me.
My life changed and I started wearing my decision to be sober as a badge of honor. This week, I am officially 6 months sober. And I have a feeling this is just the beginning of what I will discover.
