Irene WignallI know, I know, I did a blog when I reached one year of no alcohol. So what else can I possibly say on the subject? But there is so much more. I could go on forever, but I won’t!
But to recap for those that didn’t read it, but here’s the title if you want to look itup;One year no beer
but in a nutshell ….
I had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
There that’s it! Saves you reading it now.
If you spend time thinking, are you drinking too much? Should you stick to drinking shorts? Should I only drink on weekends? Should I only drink when I’m Out, Out? Then you are wasting way too much energy on alcohol. When you’re not drinking it, you’re recovering from the effects of it and then you’re thinking about it.
On average a person has between 65,000 and 80,000 thoughts a day. Around 90% of those thoughts are the exact same thoughts as yesterday. So you’re in a vicious cycle. It feels easier to live the cycle, than try and change things. And who likes change? But you wouldn’t stay in an abusive relationship would you? And this is how I felt about alcohol.
I get it though, it’s hard to stop that cycle, I’ve been there and honestly if you looked at me and my group of friends growing up and had to pick one of us that would end up tee total, I would definitely be at the bottom of the list. Imagine waiting to be picked for the sports team I would have be the one left standing feeling like a tit.
But here I am and I have just completed five hundred nights!!
It’s not always been easy and I want you to know, that it is sometimes hard, changing any habit requires willpower. But what it has done is free up space in my head from all the thinking should I or shouldn’t I, I just don’t, and space in my head is of a premium, believe me.
These past seven weeks have been another test and I thought I was through any tests, but no! Looking on social media and everyone enjoying a beer or wine, having house parties for one, I’m not going to lie has made me feel a bit jealous, plus the boredom of not being able to go anywhere, I get it, what else is there to do?
But after I felt the twinge of jealousy; I also got a massive wave of worry for people. A lot of people who don’t normally drink in the house or don’t drink on a ‘school night’ are getting into some really bad habits. Alcohol sales have risen by a third. One in five people have admitted they are drinking more in this pandemic.
If you are sober curious then now is the time to start doing a bit of research, try reading someone’s else’s story, there are so many books out there. Get in touch with me and I can tell my favourites.
Why not, in your ‘big’ shop try a couple of alcohol free versions, there are again, lots out there and they are surprisingly good.
Pick one night that you are going to do something else other than drink wine/ beer. Have a pamper night, try a bit of meditation, read a book, go for you a walk on your own.
Completely cutting out might not be for you, but cutting down maybe? I know for me I’m all or nothing. So for the foreseeable I am choosing to nothing!!!
Good luck in whatever path you choose!
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