New Year, No Beer: Finding Joy in My Dry(ish) Journey

As I sit in my backyard on this sunny Sunday morning, five days into 2025, I'm reflecting on my evolving relationship with alcohol over the past few years. My water glass catches the morning light, and I'm reminded of how much clarity I've gained since June 2021, when I first decided to reevaluate my relationship with alcohol.

The journey started with over three years of complete sobriety, not a single drop. In the later part of 2024, I allowed alcohol to make rare, intentional appearances: celebrating love at two international weddings, sharing a professional toast, sipping a margarita on vacation, and yes, ringing in the New Year with some tequila and champagne. These weren't slip-ups or failures; they were conscious choices that aligned with my values and the role I want alcohol to play in my life. By no means did I drink regularly in 2024, but I also wasn't 100% dry.

But here's what I've learned: the mental load of deciding whether to drink in every social situation is exhausting. Should I have one? Maybe two? The cognitive burden of these constant negotiations with myself has led me to a liberating conclusion – I prefer the clarity of having sobriety as my default setting.

One of my most profound discoveries has been understanding sobriety as a cornerstone of self-discipline. Resisting substances isn't easy, especially when that initial numbness feels like a warm embrace. But for me, the trade-offs became clear: the nausea, headaches, upset stomach, mental fog, body inflammation, and that telltale dehydrated face simply weren't worth it anymore.

Alcohol isn't some conscious entity making decisions for us – it's just a substance. We hold the power to define its role in our lives. As we step into 2025, I'm not approaching this as just another New Year's resolution. This is about continuing to build on the foundation I've laid. I'm aiming for my personal best this year: optimal health, peak professional performance, and abundant energy for all of life's adventures.

What I've gained through sobriety extends far beyond avoiding hangovers. It's given me back precious time and energy – resources I can now invest in pursing my goals and showing up as my best self. For January, for 2025, and maybe for life, I'm choosing clarity.

So here's to whatever's in your glass – mine's filled with water and possibilities. Let's make 2025 our year of conscious choices and vibrant living.


xoxo

maddymo


"Quit Lit" really helped me in my sobriety journey. Checkout my favorite titles on my webpage : https://ondoproject.org/book-nook

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