Lifestyle
I want to be completely honest here, and I admit I have some hesitations about discussing this topic, but I’m ready to take a deep breath and dive in. There’s strength in confronting the difficult subjects (or at least that’s what I’m telling myself). Since January 1st, posts about Dry January have flooded my social media feed, and I’ve encountered the theme across various podcasts I’ve listened to. It’s been on my mind for quite some time.
Last week, I decided to join a private Facebook group focused on sobriety and reduced drinking. Sober. Semi-sober. Not drinking. Who in their right mind would choose that? That used to be my thought process.
A few months ago, I began to cut back on my alcohol intake. I’ve been acutely aware of the absence of alcohol in my life each day I’ve chosen not to drink. I never felt the need to scrutinize my relationship with alcohol before; it’s been an integral part of my family and community culture.
I’ve always had an addictive personality, and alcohol has served as a coping mechanism for many years—helping me manage stress, ease social anxiety, cope with loneliness, and numb unhappiness. Yet, it’s not just my fallback during tough times. Every occasion seems to warrant a few glasses of wine or a pack of craft beer. The sunniest days at my favorite lakeside hangout always call for refreshing cocktails. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” we tell ourselves.
Drinking has become a widely accepted ritual among women, especially moms; it’s a symbol of hard-earned relaxation after a long day, whether from work or parenting. We believe we’ve earned that glass of wine, vodka soda, or whatever our choice may be, and we often indulge in more than just one.
A few months back, I attended an NHL game in Montreal with my family. It was my youngest daughter’s first experience at a game, and my husband and I celebrated with several rounds of drinks. I lost count of how many I had. The outcome? I got sick. Really sick. That night was largely spent in the hotel bathroom, and the next morning, I could barely function. I ruined our plans for a lovely breakfast in the city, and while my three-year-old daughter was blissfully unaware of the disruption, I was overwhelmingly disappointed in myself.
Since that night, I’ve been more mindful of my drinking habits. What I discovered wasn’t pretty. I realized I was drinking every day—coming home and automatically reaching for a beer or pouring a glass of wine without even thinking. And I never stopped at just one.
While I haven’t completely eliminated drinking, I’ve recognized its negative impact on my life—it was genuinely harming me day after day. The mornings I dreaded getting out of bed, the sluggishness I’d attributed to being a non-morning person, the lack of energy and mental clarity—all were tied to my drinking.
I still enjoy alcohol, but I now consciously resist the urge to open the fridge as soon as I get home. I’m not aiming to quit entirely; instead, I’m working on reducing my daily intake and reclaiming control. Each morning I wake up refreshed and energized reinforces my commitment. I’m hitting my hydration goals and looking forward to sipping warm turmeric milk with honey and cinnamon in the evening. The benefits to my health, well-being, and finances are becoming increasingly apparent.
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In summary, reflecting on my drinking habits has highlighted how deeply intertwined alcohol was with my daily life. By becoming more conscious of my consumption, I’m striving for healthier choices that positively impact my overall well-being.
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