Hey everyone,
I’m excited to share that I’ve hit the 90-day mark of being alcohol-free, the first time in over 10 years! To be clear, I didn't think I was addicted or anything like that, but I did drink 1-2 times a week for a long while. I never thought much of it, but after stopping, the changes I’ve experienced have been truly eye-opening.
Since I stopped drinking, my productivity has shot through the roof. I have more energy, clarity, and focus than ever before. My mornings are brighter, and I feel like I’m able to tackle the day with more purpose and intention. I’m getting things done that I’ve been putting off for ages.
But the most rewarding part of this journey has been how it’s helped me grow as a person. I’ve become more intentional about practicing gratitude, meditation, and overall mindfulness. I feel more in touch with myself and the people around me. It’s as though cutting alcohol out of my life has created space for deeper personal growth and self-awareness.
Since making this change, I’ve also started a newsletter focused on stoicism, mindfulness, zen teachings, and personal growth. These were things I had been writing about in my notes app for over a year, but now I finally have the motivation to share them with others. I’ve also started coaching and helping others with similar journeys, and I’m actively looking for a new job after shutting down my previous company a couple of months ago.
For anyone who’s on the fence about cutting back or quitting alcohol, I can’t recommend it enough. The benefits have been more than just physical; it’s been a whole mental, emotional, and spiritual transformation. If you’re considering it, take it one day at a time. I started it thinking that I won't drink for a week, but it just went on and on and now it's been 3 months.
EDIT: There's a lot of people here stating that they didn't see the benefits that I did, when they stopped. But I guess it depends on what you do instead of drinking? When I was drinking, I was a lot lazier in a sense that I would sleep late and wake up late, watch a lot more youtube/ig reels. When I stopped drinking, I wanted to keep myself occupied with more meaningful work, so I actually started looking for my purpose a lot harder. I'm now more aware of my time , so I spend it reading, writing, etc. Also, I started to have a lot more discipline to clean my place and even push myself to join a 10 day meditation course.
So don't expect the same things to happen to you, I guess. Everyone has different experiences and it all comes down to what you do with all that extra time.
by praj18
17 Comments
Being controlled by an intoxicant is weak minded and should not be celebrated…💯🤔💯
I will be 6 months in 13 days.
Like you, I wasn’t experiencing addiction. I was, however, subconsciously driven by the need to have drinking be a part of my social enjoyment or even generally enjoyment of what I perceived to be downtime.
It’s eye-opening to realize that having a good time isn’t directed by having a drink. That it’s no less fun being sober. I’m happy for you, and I plan to do a year at least and see what that means.
It gets better the longer you do, too. Alcohol is horrible for the body and mind!
This is very powerful. I’ve been trying to reduce drinking myself. I started with the occassional drink with friends to now drinking by myself on some nights. But you’ve motivated me to get out of this rut. Btw what’s your newsletter? Is it free?
I just hit 30 Days sobriety and I feel like I am missing out on so many social gatherings just because it is so deeply culturally expected to drink where I live. I intentionally skipped partys, meetings and get togethers just to avoid this, but it’s getting hard and I feel disconnected from my social circle. I feel like I need to learn to have fun and go out with out alcohol but I fear I will give in. Alcohol usually is also a trigger for other drugs for me so theres that. I really want to make this work and this post made me aware of this challenge. Thank you for your insight.
Congratulations! That’s a great achievement!
Congratulations and glad to hear you’re doing so well. I’m currently on week three of giving up the booze. I was very reliant on alcohol for many years drinking every day as a crutch. Being sober does help me physically because I’m giving my body nutrients but I find I have no mental benefit. Then again I am actively in treatment for mental illness so I’m sure that plays a big factor
I am at 3 years and 3 months 11 days roughly. It is a gamechanger. I didnt hit rock bottom or anything. I worked and provided, but I felt a change was needed. A great change it was and is.
You got this shit, keep it up and after so long you won’t even consider a drink, social, or other wise.
I’m on day 29 and my productivity is insane
Just hit my 60 day today. IS hard for me as well, facing your problems sober. Shit still sucks but everyday is a bit better
FWIW, I’m coming up on 90 days no drinking and… nothing has changed. I’m sleeping a bit better and the weight has come off, but this whole ‘road to Damascus’ thing about no alcohol makes me feel uneasy for some reason. I don’t have some sort of new clarity now, the sun doesn’t shine brighter, I don’t have more energy, it’s the same as it was but now I don’t drink. It’s almost the same sort of magical thinking as the ‘no fap’ movement. This isn’t to do down your achievement at all, but yeah, i dunno, it’s all a bit evangelical I suppose.
I will be 45 days tomorrow. First time taking a break in over ten years. I was a daily 4 or 5 beers guy.
I feel like I have seen none of the improvements other people have seen.
I am a builder, frame to finish carpentry and remodel work.
I have seen a decrease in the amount of jobs I’ve been getting.
My energy levels are lower.
My productivity is about the same.
I feel less joy and emotion.
What am I doing wrong?
Edit: just to clarify. It is clearly better to not slowly poison yourself over time than to do so.
Many neurological conditions have been strongly linked to long term alcohol usage.
Thanks OP! Your message, and others like it need to be spread around more. There is absolutely a clarity and greatly improved overall life experience to gain by not drinking. In my first year of sobriety I changed the full course of my life to align with how I really wanted to live. My mental health has improved so much, I no longer take medications for anxiety, and depression.
Stopping drinking is an absolute game changer secret that isn’t talked about enough.
Congrats to you again!
During my partying days, I drink probably 5 out of 7 days. I was not addicted, I just drink alcohol as an escape. As I will turn 40 this year, the drinking is now almost non-existent for the past 2-3 years. Maybe a few glasses when I’m on holidays. I didn’t plan to quit or become completely sober, it just happens. Now I feel fully fine without alcohol, I don’t crave for it. In fact I always find whiskey smell or taste like petrol :/ And tequila taste like diesel? 🙁 Not only that, I could feel my body rejecting the alcohol now. But those days, I kept drinking it just to feel numb and detached from my issues. Honestly, having no alcohol made me happier now. Plus my skin looks better 😉 And thank you for your story!
For me it was the little voice in my head that berated me every time I woke up with a hangover. The negative thoughts of why do I keep doing this when I know how crappy I’ll feel in the morning. Waking up in the middle of the night hating on myself. Years of this inner dialogue. I turn 70 this year and I want better for myself. I’m 5 months sober and that little voice is GONE! I never want it to return. I drank almost every night, scotch was the preferred drink.
I quit alcohol more than a year ago.
After two months, I finally ran 5K in under 22 minutes.
Frikish coincidence.
I’m one year, one month and five days sober and it is the BEST feeling. No regrets, no anxiety the next day, no saying things I don’t mean to people I love, just honestly the best feeling.