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Alcohol-Free Life

About two years years ago I decided I needed to change my relationship with alcohol.

woman holding sign that says 100 Days AF

And just like my fitness journey, it’s not something that happened overnight . . . but it’s SO worth all the work I’ve put in.

I was in a grey area of drinking for several years. Postpartum anxiety was the starting point, mommy wine culture kicked into overdrive for a few years after that, and then, well, COVID was the final nail in the boozy coffin.

So I decided to reevaluate. Did a dry January and Sober October. But a couple summers ago the quantity reallllyyy became a thing – too much, too often. I never missed a meeting or was late for work. I never missed a workout. I didn’t have a “rock bottom.”

And I had a lot of internal conflict about whether I should stop completely or try (again) to moderate. But in response to my statement that I didn’t think it was “that bad,” a very wise person said to me, “Well ok . . . but is your life WITH alcohol good enough??” She was 100% on the mark. It was not NEARLY good enough. The anxiety and self loathing and crap sleep and constant dehydration … just UGH.

And now? My sleep! My anxiety! My overall mental health! My physical health! ALLLLLL so much better.

It hasn’t been easy and it’s still flipping hard at times. But it really does get easier every day and with each new first.

If you’re curious about how I’m doing it, here’s what helped me start and carry on:

Quit Lit

  • Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker
  • This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
  • We are the Luckiest by Laura McKowen
  • The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley
  • Alcohol Explained by William Porter
  • Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp

Community

There are TONS of ways to connect with fellow sober curious people now — options that go way beyond AA. Online communities include:

  • Over the Influence
  • The PATH by This Naked Mind
  • Recovery Elevator
  • Sober Mom Squad

Podcasts

There are so many — I need a good mix of humor, science, and motivation. My regular listens include:

  • Over the Influence
  • This Naked Mind
  • A Sober Girls Guide
  • Hidden Brain