How the Past Few Weeks Without Alcohol Has Been a Welcomed Lifestyle Change

So, here we are, almost ending the first month of 2020.

Is it just me or have the past few weeks just flown by?

Anyway, it’s widely accepted that by now, the fourth week into January, 80% of people will have given up on their new year’s resolutions.

(At least that’s what Google has told me, the percentage may or may not be accurate)

However, I am proud to announce that I’m one of the supposed 20% who is still going strong.

Like many individuals, my plans to make 2020 the best one yet included the reduction of alcohol and an increased focus towards living a healthier lifestyle.

My last alcoholic beverage was on December 31st 2019.

(Well actually, it may have technically been January 1st 2020 as I did have a bourbon to see in the New Year)

But from that moment onwards I haven’t touched a single drop and you know what?

It’s felt pretty damn good.

Resisting Temptation

Now, this is not the first time that I’ve abstained from the consumption of alcohol.

Every year, usually around this time, I would take three or four months off of drinking and do my best to live a cleaner, healthier lifestyle.

In the past, I’ve found it somewhat of a challenge.

With there being a pretty solid drinking culture where I come from — Northern Ireland — and also here in New Zealand, where I now live, it’s quite common for drinking to provide the backdrop to most social events and gatherings.

You are never too far away from temptation, no matter where you go.

And while it’s taken a lot of self-discipline in the past to stay on the straight and narrow, this time things have been different.

In fact, I’d almost go out on a limb and say that it’s been easy.

You see, whilst refraining from alcohol in the past I would still put myself in positions where temptation was never far away.

For example;

I would go meet with friends at the pub or various social gatherings, where everyone was drinking, except for me.

Instead, I’d have a coffee or an energy drink, enjoy the caffeine hit rather than the alcohol buzz.

And while I was able to stay strong and resist the offer of an alcoholic beverage, the temptation was always there, staring me in the face, tantalizing my senses.

But this time I’ve been making a conscious effort to remove the allurement of alcohol as much as possible.

Going to cafes for food and drinks instead of bars.

Using my time more productively over the weekend, hitting the gym, going for hikes and bike rides with my girlfriend and the kids.

Replacing unhealthy temptations with positive activities, ones that will actually reinforce my goals of a better lifestyle.

It also helps that my partner is aiming for similar goals, it makes the whole process much more fun having someone to support and encourage you along the way, and vice versa.

Physical & Mental Transformations

By replacing damaging habits with positive ones, I have noticed a number of physical and also mental transformations occurring, as is to be expected.

The most noticeable of these changes, without a doubt, being the increase in physical energy and also mental clarity.

I’ve found myself waking up earlier than ‘normal’, feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

Even on weekends, when I’d almost always have a lie-in — tired from the previous night’s beers — I’ve been waking up early, hitting the gym then spending the remainder of the day out exploring and hiking the local trails of Auckland with my family.

My energy levels are through the roof and I’m loving it.

As for improved mental clarity; this has been most evident when it comes to the work and creativity side of things.

I find that whilst I’m in work my concentration and focus levels have been elevated.

I’m attacking each task with purpose, completing the job required in a precise and confident manner.

This new-found sense of drive has also done wonders for me as I strive to achieve my writing goals.

With my mind clear and firing on all cylinders it makes it much easier to stick to the schedule, which I set for myself at the beginning of each week.

And when I sit down in front of my laptop to work on my latest piece, the words just seem to flow with ease, sentences are sat there on the tip of my tongue ready to be converted into text.

No more pacing up and down searching for the right thing to say.

All in all, these past few weeks without alcohol have come as a welcome change and it’s one that I could certainly get used to once again.

“Clarity of mind means clarity of passion too; this is why a great and clear mind loves ardently and sees distinctly what he loves.” — Blaise Pascal

Takeaways

With alcohol playing such a prevalent part in today's society sometimes it can be hard to find a way to take a break from it all.

But if you do feel the need to give your mind and body — especially your liver — a much-needed break, here are a few of the things that have helped me over the past number of weeks.

Remove all temptations and triggers — things that incite your want for a drink — from your home and the places that you visit frequently or on a daily basis.

Do your utmost to keep away from temptations, plan your day or social gatherings strategically. Even if you are strong-minded, when there’s no temptation, there is no chance of you slipping up.

Find someone to work towards your goals alongside you, to give you support should times get tough and of course, return the favour should they find themselves struggling at times.

Keep active and stay busy. They say the devil makes work for idle hands, fill your downtime with productive activities, perhaps even pursue some of your other goals at the same time? Put your new-found boost in energy and laser-sharp focus to good use.

With a little bit of will power and a dash of self-discipline, you too will be feeling the positive effects of a life without alcohol in no time and who knows, this may even be the beginning of something special for you.

Thanks for reading.

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I look forward to sharing my experiences with you.