Member-only story
12 Things That Changed When I Quit Drinking
I quit drinking over a year ago after a tumultuous sixteen year love affair with booze. I realized, after about thirty or so tries- that moderation wasn’t for me.
When I was a drinker, I couldn’t imagine my life without alcohol. How will I socialize, go to parties, unwind, or date? How will I go on vacation without sipping a cocktail? How will I enjoy a nice meal without a glass of wine? What if I get married, can I drink champagne at my own wedding?
Not drinking is just normal for me now, and I genuinely don’t miss it.
It Hit Me
Alcohol was like an abusive relationship I kept going back to. Like all abusive relationships, when things were good, they were really good — laughing hysterically with people I loved, buzzed walks through beautiful vineyards, dates at candle lit bars, photo booths- what’s not to love?
Unfortunately, alcohol also was the source of regretful texts, drained bank accounts, overeating, vomit, avoidable fights, nip slips, lost wallets and phones, and many days and opportunities lost to hangovers.
I still cringe thinking of some of the things I said and did while drunk, and the time I wasted blacked out or hungover that I will never get back.
