This was a really interesting read and a journey I also took ❤️ I left alcohol behind 3 years ago and it's been the best decision I ever made. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, it's so useful for those who are sober curious. 🙏
Loved reading this, Jodie. I stopped drinking when I was 21 (I was on medication I couldn’t drink on and realised I didn’t miss it at all) and haven’t had a drop of alcohol in a decade now! All of my closest friends drink but they’re very used to me not drinking (my husband doesn’t drink either so it’s very much just not a part of our life) and I honestly never even think about it now.
Thanks so much Jen. That's reassuring to hear your closest friends still drink too. I've been out with friends a few times now and been the only one not drinking and I was surprised by how much easier it was than I'd imagined.
This is the thing, we're not taught to question it are we!? As soon as I did I realised it wasn't sitting right, and I'm sure it would feel the same for so many too
It's so interesting to read your experiences, and to find a new phrase. I am definitely 'sober curious'. I drank to excess for many years and have a lot of regrets from that time. I stopped when pregnant with my daughter and have never returned to drinking in the same way. These days I have a 2 drink limit - due to menopause making my body react negatively to having any more, and also due to not wanting the horrible emotions and results that drinking more gives me. However more and more I am flirting with just stopping altogether, to do so looks easier and kind of 'cleaner.' I'll embrace your 'sober curious' phrase during my next phase of life
I don’t drink alcohol either, the last time I had a drink was my hen party 13 years ago. I never really liked the taste of alcohol and just did it to blend in.
I have definitely had to renegotiate my relationship with alcohol since hitting the menopause. And I feel so much better for not drinking. It's taken a long time to realise that wine is definitely not my friend.
100%, the assumption is always that something is "wrong" and that's why you're not drinking, not because you've simply made that choice. Yep, it really is the norm, although I think more people are starting to question it too. The rise of alcohol free alternatives is promising!
This was a really interesting read and a journey I also took ❤️ I left alcohol behind 3 years ago and it's been the best decision I ever made. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, it's so useful for those who are sober curious. 🙏
Thank you Elizabeth! I've found connecting with other sober people and hearing how they're getting on so encouraging
Me too, it's great to know there's a community out there 🙌
Loved reading this, Jodie. I stopped drinking when I was 21 (I was on medication I couldn’t drink on and realised I didn’t miss it at all) and haven’t had a drop of alcohol in a decade now! All of my closest friends drink but they’re very used to me not drinking (my husband doesn’t drink either so it’s very much just not a part of our life) and I honestly never even think about it now.
Thanks so much Jen. That's reassuring to hear your closest friends still drink too. I've been out with friends a few times now and been the only one not drinking and I was surprised by how much easier it was than I'd imagined.
Eloquently put as always ☺️ stopping drinking has been a fantastic decision for me, especially when I realised it takes away more than I gain.
I think it’s something everyone should explore at some point
This is the thing, we're not taught to question it are we!? As soon as I did I realised it wasn't sitting right, and I'm sure it would feel the same for so many too
I always look at it as it's not giving up something, so much as making space for something better.
It's so interesting to read your experiences, and to find a new phrase. I am definitely 'sober curious'. I drank to excess for many years and have a lot of regrets from that time. I stopped when pregnant with my daughter and have never returned to drinking in the same way. These days I have a 2 drink limit - due to menopause making my body react negatively to having any more, and also due to not wanting the horrible emotions and results that drinking more gives me. However more and more I am flirting with just stopping altogether, to do so looks easier and kind of 'cleaner.' I'll embrace your 'sober curious' phrase during my next phase of life
I don’t drink alcohol either, the last time I had a drink was my hen party 13 years ago. I never really liked the taste of alcohol and just did it to blend in.
I have definitely had to renegotiate my relationship with alcohol since hitting the menopause. And I feel so much better for not drinking. It's taken a long time to realise that wine is definitely not my friend.
100%, the assumption is always that something is "wrong" and that's why you're not drinking, not because you've simply made that choice. Yep, it really is the norm, although I think more people are starting to question it too. The rise of alcohol free alternatives is promising!