Admit it! The cheeky little kid brought a smile!
I must hold my hands up here and say that there was a time when I believed a good time wasn’t complete without a drink in hand. From Friday night happy hours to celebratory champagne toasts, alcohol was the thread that seemed to weave every social occasion together.
It all started in my early working life in financial services where nearly every deal was done while either wining and dining or being wined and dined. Lunches would start at midday and go on to early afternoon, returning to the office, unfit if the truth be told, to produce any worthy work. Often carrying on into the after work hours and then refuelling the tank again in the morning by feeding on bacon and egg baps at the desk ready to start the whole routine all over again the next day. And as for Friday nights, don’t get me started!
I wasn’t what you’d call a problem drinker—I never woke up in a gutter or missed work due to a hangover. But as the years rolled by, I started to wonder: Was I really enjoying life, or just coasting along with a buzz?
Drinking became the norm.
Sharing a bottle of wine at lunchtime, having a bottle at night while preparing dinner, opening a second…and so it went on for the next thirty years.
So, I made a decision.
I put down the glass and stepped into a world I hadn’t experienced since my teenage years—a world without alcohol.
What I didn’t expect was how much better life could be. Here’s what I discovered when I ditched the booze and truly began to rediscover joy.
1. Mornings Became Magical
For years, I accepted that mornings were a necessary evil—foggy-headed, sluggish, and requiring an IV drip of coffee. But without alcohol, I woke up refreshed, ready to take on the day like an overzealous morning person in a sitcom.
Sunrises became a thing of beauty instead of a cue to shut the blinds.
My energy levels soared, and I realized that the best way to enjoy a night out was to fully enjoy the morning after.
2. Real Fun Doesn’t Need a Drink
I used to assume that alcohol was the secret sauce that made everything fun—parties, concerts, vacations. Turns out, it was more of a crutch than a catalyst.
Without it, I learned to genuinely laugh more, connect with friends and family better, and remembered everything! (Some things are best forgotten and not to be repeated).
Imagine that—attending an event and not having to piece together the night like a detective the next morning.
3. My Purse Got Fatter
Alcohol isn’t cheap, especially when you consider the late-night impulse food orders that often come with it. The money I once spent on overpriced cocktails and next-day recovery meals was suddenly free for better things—weekend getaways, concerts, and even an upgraded espresso machine (because some habits die hard).
4. Health Became a Superpower
No more hangovers meant better workouts, better sleep, and an overall feeling of well-being I hadn’t felt in years.
My skin looked healthier, my mind felt sharper, and my waistline—well, let’s just say I no longer had to factor in ‘bloat’ when choosing an outfit.
I had more energy to care about me and what I wanted in my life. What served me and what was good for my mental and physical health.
5. Confidence Without Liquid Courage
One of the biggest surprises? I became more confident without alcohol. (Some may say too confident).
I had always relied on a drink to ease social nerves, but once I got used to showing up as my authentic self, I realized I didn’t need a buzz to be interesting or engaging.
The confidence I once borrowed from a glass of wine was now mine to keep and I was going to hold on to it. I loved it!
6. The Best Conversations Happen Sober
Sure, alcohol loosens tongues, but have you ever had a truly deep, meaningful conversation with someone who’s three margaritas to the wind?
Without alcohol, I found my relationships improving. I listened better, engaged more deeply, and truly connected with people in ways I hadn’t before.
7. Joy Isn’t Found in a Bottle
The biggest takeaway? Joy isn’t something you drink—it’s something you experience fully, in all its richness. In high definition!
From dancing like an idiot at a sober rave (without regret the next day) to discovering new hobbies that didn’t revolve around ‘grabbing a drink,’.
I found that life was far more exciting, fulfilling, and, dare I say, fun without alcohol.
If you’re curious about living alcohol-free, I encourage you to give it a try. You might just rediscover the pure, unfiltered joy that’s been waiting for you all
