- POPSUGAR Australia
- Living
- I Quit Drinking for Two Months, and the Only Downside Is I Can’t Shut Up About It
I Quit Drinking for Two Months, and the Only Downside Is I Can’t Shut Up About It
In all my years of drinking, I’d never taken a month off. I’d tried of course, but then at the first social event I had, I’d break the ban. I couldn’t fathom the thought of being sober for it, so I simply wasn’t.
Yet time and time again, I’d wake up so hungover I couldn’t leave bed. I wouldn’t feel completely myself again until a couple of days later. While this wasn’t always the case, it happened enough times for me to really start to resent myself for it. Worse, every six months or so, I’d have what I call a “flare-up”. I’d throw all caution to the wind and wind up drinking so much I’d black out.
It took a toll on my mental health, prompting me to beat myself up about it for weeks and often months afterward, burning with shame of what I could’ve done that I didn’t remember. It wasn’t good for me physically, either. I’d feel faint and have a pounding head the day after, binge-eating to try to make myself feel better.
After drinking I hated the lack of motivation I felt the next morning, even if I’d had only a few. I’d wish away hungover days, counting down the hours until it was night-time. I didn’t want to be wishing days away — I wanted to be relishing them.
Then, on January 1 after a marathon drinking session on New Year’s Eve that left me feeling like a shell of myself, I finally summoned the willpower to try to quit drinking. I didn’t know how long I’d try it for, just that I wanted to see how my life would be different if I did. Would I have more energy? Would I feel less anxious? How awkward would I be without a social lubricant? Could I even… do it?
Turns out, I’m not alone in thinking about giving up alcohol this year. A recent survey by comparison site Finder of 1,085 respondents found that 2 percent of Australians — equivalent to over 400,000 people — plan to give up booze this year. The survey also found the average Aussie could save over $1,971 a year by abstaining from alcohol — roughly $38 a week.
It’s the fact that I knew I’d be among many that helped to fuel my motivation and made me finally manage to get to a full month without drinking and then another after that. Cutting down on drinking is becoming increasingly mainstream, with terms like ‘damp lifestyle’ and ‘sober curious’ now part of our everyday vocabulary. In my eyes, trying Dry January was a socially acceptable to do, so that made it much easier to accomplish.
While every person’s experience quitting drinking will be completely different, especially depending on how, why and when they usually drink, I thought it worth sharing my own journey. So, if you’re wanting to try a month or two off of drinking and keen to know what to expect (or you simply want to have a stickybeak into my not-so-exciting life), here’s what has changed.
I Don’t Do the Same Things on the Weekend
Unsurprisingly, I’m not going to many bars or having late nights now that I’m not drinking. I’m replacing the Saturday nights out and hungover Sundays with so many other things. And I feel so much happier for it, not to mention fresh come Monday morning.
Just to give you an idea, last weekend, I made jewellery bowls out of clay, I got my eyebrows tattooed, I went for a coastal walk with a friend, I got flowers for myself at Bondi Markets, I hosted a dinner party with friends and I went to several talks at the All About Women festival at Sydney Opera House. My weekends feel so much longer and I get such a thrill from accomplishing so much.
In saying that, I have gone to a few events where other people were drinking heavily, one of them being a day party on a public holiday and the other was a concert. For both of those, I brought non-alcoholic cocktails in cans (love Naked Life!), and nursed those all night so it felt like I was drinking like everyone else.
I Spend More Money Treating Myself — and Don’t Feel Guilty for It
While I did find I wasn’t spending an extra $30 on drinks when I had meals out, annoyingly, I don’t think I’ve ended up saving much since I stopped drinking. I kept justifying spending money on other buys. An expensive facial. A massage. More books. Clothes. “Well, I’m saving so much on not drinking — I deserve to get myself this,” I’d think. It’s probably not the best line of thinking, but now, 2.5 months in, I’m using this reasoning less and less.
Also, I’d much rather be spending my money on activities that fill up my cup like a self-care treatment or a new outfit than on a night of drinking that makes me wake up feeling anxious and generally on edge. So, if this spending spree habit doesn’t go away, I won’t be too mad at myself.
I Have Way More Energy
Holy, wow, do I have more energy. I also have more time because I’m not waking up hungover after a big night out, unable to move from bed, or even just moving slower from a few drinks the night before. I started filming and sharing day-in-the-life TikToks. I’m brainstorming first-person story ideas for the sites I work for (like this story you’re reading right now). I’m upping my step count. I’m meal-prepping for office days. I have regular phone catchups with friends overseas. I even scrubbed the skirting boards in my apartment the other day — I had that much more energy and time.
Along with the extra energy has come a boost in creativity. I feel like I’m tapping into a part of my brain that hasn’t been used in so long that it has now become dusty. I feel like a kid again, doing arts and crafts on a Friday night, and having fun making TikToks (the platform wasn’t around when I was a kid, but I used to do shows and get my parents to film them on an ancient video camera).
I Feel Generally Calmer and Happier
I care less about what people think about me which has made me feel calmer and happier. I do have to mention that I did start taking anti-depressants late last year, so I’m sure some of how I’m feeling is a result of that. But surely not drinking and not having to deal with that all-encompassing shame that used to accompany it would be helping. At least somewhat.
When I take the time to really think about how I’m feeling now, and the small price I’m having to pay to live this way, it seems like a no-brainer that I’d continue. Truthfully though, I do see myself drinking again sometime in the future, but that could also be my brain not wanting to overwhelm me. “Forever” is a very long time, so I’m not sure I’m ready to commit to that yet.
For the time being though, I’m feeling the most productive and happiest I’ve ever felt in my life. I feel more in control of it. More motivated at my job. More motivated to work on my physical health. More motivated to be more up-to-date with what’s happening in the world. Bottom line? I feel pretty great and I don’t want that to change.
If this article brings up any issues for you or anyone you know, or if drugs or alcohol are becoming a problem, please contactLifeline (13 11 14) or download Sobriety App – I am Sober, an addiction buddy useful for quitting any activity or substance.