Lessons Learned from 2 Years Not Drinking.
Getting alcohol out of my life has been the best choice I have ever made. The benefits were immediate, the lessons humbling and life-changing. I wish to share those lessons with you this week and the next. It’s kind of like sharing the map of my route thus far to give you an idea of the terrain ahead.
Whether you simply question how much you drink, want to leave booze behind for good, or are anywhere in between, these articles will give you insight. So, without further rambling, here are three lessons I learned:
1) I’m no fun without alcohol!
We think that, without a drink or ten, we won’t be any fun, that the world will be uninteresting. False. Our notions of having a good time are ingrained beliefs worth examining. Upon closer inspection, we may find that our old beliefs just aren’t true and no longer serve us.
I chose to see my journey as an opportunity to explore my notion of fun. I observed my thoughts and emotions in every situation. Whether at a concert, on vacation, at family gatherings, or in bars, I embraced the “isness” of each moment with my full attention. I discovered that I enjoy these occasions even more with a sharp mind, unhindered by alcohol. As an added benefit, I also remember these moments and never have a hangover. Worth it!
2) I need more than willpower.
Willpower was my only tool in my initial attempts to quit drinking. But willpower has limits. Regularly reaching those limits left me frustrated and set for failure. I had to find other strategies to approach my problem with alcohol.
I discovered that lasting change happened at the deeper level of my subconscious mind: the place of emotions and habits. Within those depths, I began to understand the “why” of my drinking. I examined my habitual actions and triggers to uncover the issues alcohol masked. That self-exploration was not always fun, but it was invaluable.
3) I have to make a firm decision.
I lost trust in myself to stop drinking after all the half-hearted and failed attempts. A serious commitment to abstinence and exploration was necessary to rebuild that trust. So, I made a resolute decision: not to drink alcohol for one year and reassess my relationship with it. I seared this commitment into the very fabric of my being and set my sites on self-discovery.
This firm decision to burn the boats was the foundation for my journey. It released the frustration and disappointment that attempts at moderation had produced. This, in turn, allowed me mental and emotional freedom to define a better life for myself.
And the list goes on…next week.
I understand if giving up alcohol seems beyond your reach, but you are a capable and responsible being with the power to get free from this toxic substance. Your own discoveries and insights await you on the other side of alcohol.
If you would like coaching around this topic, I am available. Feel free to reach out.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope that it has helped you in some way. Next week I will be back with three more lessons I learned along my alcohol-free path. See you then!