This is a really interesting read. I have a keen interest in wine and love to travel to different wine producing regions and also enjoy making cocktails. But during the pandemic it became a far too regular habit. Since last September, I’ve seriously cut down and now don’t drink at all in the week and make a conscious effort to drink much less at the weekends. I think I’m edging more towards cutting it out more and more. I’m not sure I’ll ever cut it out completely but, like you, I feel so much better without a hangover that I’m curious to explore sobriety further! I really like Lucky Saint alcohol free beer, and my tea collection has become much more interesting recently!
Thanks Hannah! Oh yeah I really enjoy that Lucky Saint beer too, so good. I think the pandemic definitely changed a lot of people's relationship with alcohol, it really did for me. Love the idea of not drinking in the weeks, I think it's all about creating a set-up that works for you. ❤️
Thanks for the comment Janelle, and thank you for leading me to your fab substack. Think we have a lot in common. I also love being alone, and wonder whether I used to use alcohol as a way to become more extroverted when really I'm an introvert. Susain Cains book is also on my tbr list!
The anxiety hangovers are so bad! Good going getting to day 22, I reckon those first 3 weeks are the hardest, I definitely found it got easier from then. You've got this 🙌
That's an interesting observation. It's such a common reason I hear for why people drink.
Sooo baaad. I found some journaling I did during one of these and it was ROUGH to read back. I was also being so awful to myself as well. Blame/ shame, the works.
I've not actually found it hard so far which is interesting in itself. I'm going out for a nice meal tomorrow with friends. Haven't quite decided whether to have a vino or just a tonic water. But I'm not going to make it into a big thing.
Yeah I think the key is to not add too much pressure on yourself, you don’t want to end up beating yourself up for drinking! Have a fab time with your friends 😊
Thank you for sharing your experience. I think that many people will relate to your journey. I certainly do. Just a tip that I learned in this last year or so, Magnesium Glycinate. This supplement can help with anxiety, generally speaking, especially if you choose to drink alcohol. I have taken intermittent breaks from drinking, but it can be challenging for me when stressful times present themselves. My hope is that you will continue to work toward a healthy balance for yourself and that the sacrifice of abstinence will be rewarded, and that the open space created will be filled with joyful endeavor (endeavour LOL) and renewed clarity and inspiration. Thank you for being vulnerable. :-)
This is a really interesting read. I have a keen interest in wine and love to travel to different wine producing regions and also enjoy making cocktails. But during the pandemic it became a far too regular habit. Since last September, I’ve seriously cut down and now don’t drink at all in the week and make a conscious effort to drink much less at the weekends. I think I’m edging more towards cutting it out more and more. I’m not sure I’ll ever cut it out completely but, like you, I feel so much better without a hangover that I’m curious to explore sobriety further! I really like Lucky Saint alcohol free beer, and my tea collection has become much more interesting recently!
Thanks Hannah! Oh yeah I really enjoy that Lucky Saint beer too, so good. I think the pandemic definitely changed a lot of people's relationship with alcohol, it really did for me. Love the idea of not drinking in the weeks, I think it's all about creating a set-up that works for you. ❤️
Thanks for your perspectives here, Hannah. I can relate to much of what you've written.
I'm currently on day 22.
I never thought this would be me tbh! But after a few AWFUL and anxiety-ridden hangovers like you wrote about, it felt like a good experiment.
100 days seems like I worthwhile experiment too. I'm not sure if I'll do it right now but perhaps...!
Thanks for the comment Janelle, and thank you for leading me to your fab substack. Think we have a lot in common. I also love being alone, and wonder whether I used to use alcohol as a way to become more extroverted when really I'm an introvert. Susain Cains book is also on my tbr list!
The anxiety hangovers are so bad! Good going getting to day 22, I reckon those first 3 weeks are the hardest, I definitely found it got easier from then. You've got this 🙌
Yay. The beauty of Substack!
That's an interesting observation. It's such a common reason I hear for why people drink.
Sooo baaad. I found some journaling I did during one of these and it was ROUGH to read back. I was also being so awful to myself as well. Blame/ shame, the works.
I've not actually found it hard so far which is interesting in itself. I'm going out for a nice meal tomorrow with friends. Haven't quite decided whether to have a vino or just a tonic water. But I'm not going to make it into a big thing.
Yeah I think the key is to not add too much pressure on yourself, you don’t want to end up beating yourself up for drinking! Have a fab time with your friends 😊
Thank you for sharing your experience. I think that many people will relate to your journey. I certainly do. Just a tip that I learned in this last year or so, Magnesium Glycinate. This supplement can help with anxiety, generally speaking, especially if you choose to drink alcohol. I have taken intermittent breaks from drinking, but it can be challenging for me when stressful times present themselves. My hope is that you will continue to work toward a healthy balance for yourself and that the sacrifice of abstinence will be rewarded, and that the open space created will be filled with joyful endeavor (endeavour LOL) and renewed clarity and inspiration. Thank you for being vulnerable. :-)