5 Reasons I’m Thankful I Gave Up Alcohol
I'll be honest: it's not always easy being sober in your twenties. In a culture where most people view drinking as a core part of being social and celebrating, it can get lonely and easy to feel like you're on the outside. But the benefits of no longer having alcohol in my life far outweigh any social stigma or pressure to do it because "everyone else is." I could go on about the many reasons I'm thankful to not drink anymore, but these are a few of the biggest ones:
No more "hangxiety":
When I drank, I would almost always wake up the next day with an overwhelming feeling of shame, guilt, anxiety, and overall low vibrational emotion, not to mention the unpleasantries of a hangover. Once I stopped drinking, this unwelcomed anxiety also took an exit out of my life.
Workouts are more purposeful and enjoyable:
Drinking was one of the biggest obstacles standing between me and my fitness goals. Even after just a few months of ditching alcohol, I found myself able to run faster, lift heavier, and truly show up for myself in a productive way.
No more missing pieces:
Alcohol has a sneaky way of making memories of the night before quite fuzzy. I definitely don't miss trying to piece together the happenings of the night before from a close friend or pictures and stories. No alcohol means being fully mentally present and aware when spending time with those you love.
Life is more fun without booze:
Too many of my Sunday's during my college days and been beyond were filled with terrible hangovers and a day wasted. Now, nothing beats waking up early on a Sunday morning without a hangover, enjoying the sunrise, and knowing I have a full, beautiful day ahead of me. The little things I took for granted when I drank now bring me so much joy.
I finally learned to love myself:
My decision to stop drinking was closely connected to my spiritual awakening. I had reached a point in my life where I began questioning everything, and this left me with no choice but to piece myself back together and truly find myself. I attribute most of my spiritual and mental growth to sobriety because the one simple choice to stop drinking was the catalyst that changed everything for me.