I have received a few requests to share information about my sober, curious journey, and I have done my best to summarize some of the key info. There is still so much to say, so I will most likely make another post soon. If you are interested in learning more, let me know.
I hope you find this info helpful in your wellness journey. If you have specific medical questions, always speak with your medical provider. If you feel like you need supervised support and medical interventions to reduce or eliminate alcohol from your life safely, then talk with your medical provider.
Quit Lit
There are a plethora of options when it comes to quit lit (quit literature), from books, podcasts, ebooks, and audiobooks. It’s a good idea to seek out information to support your behavior changes, especially in the beginning. I started with Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker- I liked how this book starts with the history of alcohol and speaks to the marketing, specifically to women; I found it eye-opening and a great place to start. I have found that a mix of literature and modalities keeps the topic interesting. I also like to hear other people’s stories, as well as learn more about the science behind what alcohol does to the body.
- Book/Audio Book
- Quit Like a Woman- Holly Whitaker
- This Naked Mind- Annie Grace
- Push off from Here- Lauren McKowen
- Podcasts
- Hello Someday- Casey McGuire Davidson
- Sober Powered- Gillian Tietz
- A Sober Girls Guide- Kate Siegel
- Huberman Lab- Andrew Huberman
- This Naked Mind- Annie Grace
- The Sober Mom Life- Suzanne of My Kind of Sweet
- 2 Sober Girls- Erinn O’Neill and Michaela Horvathova
Sober Benefits
Honestly, sobriety has many benefits, so I will highlight some of the ones that are the most meaningful to me.
- Mind
- My clarity is returning. Basic everyday brain function is better, so that’s awesome! I feel less cloudy and have less brain fog. I feel like this one takes time. It’s definitely not instant, and it’s not as dramatic as I had hoped, but overall, my brain clarity has improved. Stress, children, and a packed schedule still contribute to feeling all over the place.
- I have more mental capacity for everything. It’s funny how much extra brain power drinking consumes. For example, if we run out of milk in the evening I can hop in the car and go get some, no problem. When I was drinking, I had to check for things like that because I didn’t want to/couldn’t drive after I had started drinking. Another example is since it’s the holiday season, I don’t have to worry about having a ride to and from events. I can go (and leave) when I want to, and it’s free; no Uber is needed.
- My anxiety is massively reduced. I am no longer in the cycle of shame-caving after drinking too much. I don’t have to worry about what I said or did at an event, nor do I have to worry about where my phone or purse is in the morning. Even when an evening where I was drinking had gone perfectly well I was often crippled by anxiety in the middle of the night and the next day (or two). Many people drink alcohol to manage their anxiety when, in reality, so much of the anxiety we are experiencing is CAUSED by alcohol.
- I feel proud of myself for doing something hard. Full stop.
- Body
- The benefits to your body start the minute you stop drinking alcohol and continue as your journey in sobriety continues. It is so incredible how our bodies are (for the most part) able to heal from the damage of alcohol (although sometimes we can do irreversible damage that we can no longer self-heal from). I enjoyed googling “30 days alcohol-free” and “60 days alcohol-free” and seeing what was going on in my body.
- I did experience significant weight loss. However, I attribute this to not only cutting out the empty harmful alcohol calories but also to the fact that I had more energy to work out, and my ability to make better food choices and cook meals increased. Not to mention, my cravings for junk food after greasy carbs went way down; from what I hear from others, you may or may not experience weight loss. Regardless of weight loss, know that your body thanks you for cutting out/reducing your alcohol intake in ways that are not as visible, like kidney and liver function, which is obviously super important.
- Sleep. I listened to a Joe Rogan podcast several years ago, and his guest said that our bodies can not enter REM until we have cleared all the alcohol from our system. Wait! What? No wonder I was always tired, even after 8+ hours of sleep. My body had to clear all the alcohol FIRST. This is why you wake up at 3 or 4 am after drinking; your body has been working hard to clear the alcohol, and then you have a dip in blood sugar. It all adds up to junk sleep. This was the driving factor in my desire to cut back on alcohol. I was sick of being tired all the time.
- Spirit
- A surprising effect I noticed is that my “light” has returned. I suppose this can be called my essence or visually my aura. I felt entirely invisible for a long time (I still do sometimes). I was used to being often wholly ignored in most situations, from grocery shopping to the gas station to social events. Now, people “see” me. Random people interact with me. People want to engage with me, ask me questions, and interact with me. I suppose I am more open to interacting with others as well now that I feel less dulled by the countless effects of alcohol. I am more receptive to interactions, which has led to this fun and unexpected side effect of sobriety.
- I am learning to connect to my authentic self. What lights me up, what makes me laugh, what do I want to say yes to, and what do I want to say no to. I can hear my inner voice, and I have the capacity to listen and hold space for myself.
- I have more time. Like magic, I find myself with more wiggle room in my schedule. Instead of drinking a glass of wine and going to bed in the evenings, I can go on an evening walk, do a craft, finish the load of laundry, reset the kitchen, or play a game with my family. I wake up ready to take on the day (including the most beautiful day of all Sunday mornings!). This one is pretty magical, and I hope you create an opportunity to experience it for yourself.
Support and Community
This is personal to everyone, but I feel like it is essential to creating lasting change.
- AA for many years, Alcoholics Anonymous has been the gold standard and the (mostly) only option for many people’s recovery. It has a pretty solid track record. I have not done AA, so I can’t speak to it from experience, but many people swear by it. There are in-person and online meetings so the options are endless.
- Facebook groups
- There are many different sober Facebook groups to support your sober curiosity and journey. Take a look, try a few, and pick what works for you.
- Sober Social Media
- Fill your feed with feel-good sober info. You can also use your social settings to block advertisements for alcohol and any triggering marketing.
- Your own inner circle
- You may find your relationships shift and change. Especially those built on a foundation of alcohol. Your true friends will support you no matter what is in your cup! Some people may be uncomfortable with your decision to reduce or eliminate alcohol. Usually, this is because it shines a light on their conscience or unconscious alcohol use. So, some relationships may end, and while this can be sad, know that it makes room for new ones to bloom.
Sober tracking apps
- Clean Day
- Reframe
- Quit Drinking
Some people are really into counting their sober days. There are lots of apps that do this, and it can be helpful to see your progress. I have seen people get way too in the weeds about tracking days. I have heard of people accidentally being served alcohol, having a sip, and resetting their counter. I feel like this is more hurtful than helpful, but do what works for you!
Ongoing…
It’s important to remember that alcohol is a poison, and it is an addictive poison. To make lasting change, you must identify the root of your drinking. This requires ongoing personal work, and you may need the support of a healthcare professional. Usually, it’s not just about the drinking but about the feelings or situations you are trying to escape. There is also a lot of social pressure to drink, and understanding how to manage that can take time. You may also wonder what life will be like if you no longer drink. Get curious. It’s the best place to start.
If you would like me to address more on this topic either comment below or DM me on IG. I would love to hear from you.
Be well,
Have a magical day,
Jen Downhome Mystic
*Always speak with your medical provider before starting a new health routine.