7 Months Sober Girlie

I have been a Sober Girlie for 7 months now and genuinely do not miss the booze.

 

An assortment of things led to me stop drinking. Two of my besties (not BRCA related) were diagnosed with breast cancer, naturally, I drank half a bottle of wine when we found out, and cried myself to sleep…

 

I woke up feeling like utter crap, for my friends, and with hazy brain fog. I wondered why I needed the wine at a time like that? A week later my socials were filled with “new” information about the links between alcohol and 7 types of cancer (breast being one).

 

Does that even surprise anyone? Booze is of course, fun and silly, and I’ve had many a wonderful time inebriated. But it has also led me to the WORST hangovers, and increasing anxiety, lack of motivation, and total MEH for a few days after (even after a lil tipple). How many times do we wake up with a banging headache and think “Have I actually poisoned myself, is my brain trying to escape out my head”?

 

I genuinely had this weird wakeup call; this is costing me money, making me feel crap physically and emotionally, AND risking my health. I have been pretty drastic in removing my healthy boobs to avoid cancer, why am I jeopardising my health in other body parts? Oh, and I run a cancer charity… eeek.

 

This was no easy thing for me. Only when I reflected did I realise how much alcohol was present in my life. Even my friends who are like “yuh I am not a big drinker” – drink. All those occasions where it is fitting to have a drink in hand; parties, weddings, funerals?, BBQs, picnics, on my paddle board, up a mountain, holidays, festivals, gigs, all of December, Friday night chill, Sunday night – need to finish the bottle – pub quiz, dinners out, dinners in – the list goes on.

 

I also realised I drink for confidence, that little peppy boost. But in doing that, wake up with anxiety, cause “I wouldn’t have said THAT sober”. I thought, rather than rely on booze for that confidence, why can’t I learn to be *slightly drunk* Christen, whilst sober? Have the confidence to say the things I really wanted to say… 

 

And it WORKED. Quitting booze has made me more confident. I can hold my own, I can follow the conversation, not repeat myself, or ask the same question over and over. Another lightbulb moment, drunk Christen was really crap at communication (hence the hangxiety the next day). 

 

I try and pinpoint my biggest feels about being sober – and this will sound dramatic, but my biggest feel is freedom. I am free to drive (and leave when I want), to plan things Sat/Sun morning without the fear of a hangover (even a hazy ‘one drink’ one), I don’t have to “line my stomach”, or fill it with smiley potato faces the next day. I am free from hangxiety, which now I realised infiltrated my brain for DAYS after. I am free to have fun just as me, not as an altered version of me. I genuinely feel I have time, money and motivation to pursue more interesting things in life… 

 

Now, hear me out here – I was never addicted to alcohol (as most people I know would say). I didn’t NEED it, but I wanted it, sure I could say no if I wanted to… but there wasn’t much harm in a single glass of wine, or 2, at all those social events listed above. I didn’t need to drink at weddings, I wanted to. Not an addiction. But, if we said those same phrases with any illegal drug, it would sound a hellalot different right? I didn’t need coke at the wedding, I just wanted it *ahem, lots of people planning an intervention behind your back* We are so conditioned to normalise alcohol, despite its known damage.  

 

Everyone has been cool with my quitting booze, but also, everyone keeps asking me when I plan on drinking again. Literally like “awesome you’ve quit smoking, but can you start again soon”? Let’s shake up this narrative! I feel better sober thanks peeps!

Anywho, preaccchhh over, it took me 36 years to realise this stuff, and some pretty sad wakeup calls to get me there. It is indeed, nicer being unawares sometimes.

 

If you are interested in giving sober life a go, I cannot recommend enough The Sober Girl Society – a gang that makes you feel so FUN and special. I also found JOMO (Joy of Missing out) so brilliant – alcohol free subscription boxes, which bring the sparkle to AF drinks (cause lots of drinking is about the habit after all). 

 

Lots of love and sparkling water xxx

Thank you so much for reading. If you too are sober curious or have gone sober, leave us a comment. We’d love to hear your reasons and how it has changed your life for the better. 

You can also check out these tips for reducing your alcohol intake and follow Christen on Insta to find out more information. xxx