After years of scolding, I finally made the decision and decided to stop drinking for a year

On the eve of the new year 2016, after years of reproach, I finally made the decision and decided to stop drinking for a year.
My consumption of alcohol was not excessive, but it was enough to fill me with hatred towards myself and make me cry and shiver the next day, even after just a couple of drinks. It was time to break the bonds.

Now, as anyone of you has tried to give up something, in the short or long term, you will know that it is rather daunting. And when it comes to something like alcohol, something that depends on the true fiber of our society, it's even more difficult.
I started writing a list of 50 reasons to stop. I thought if I could find many reasons, then there was really no excuse to continue. You can read the list here scrawled quickly. I chose a year because I wanted to have the opportunity to fight and "I always felt too long, too late.
Here is what I have learned…

1.I did not feel surprising instantly

The first question everyone asks when you stop drinking is "Do you feel fantastic?" For me, it was unfortunately a no. I expected to go to bed with a fresh face and consume energy without limits, however, it was not so. I envied my friends who, after spending a few days in January, had already reported feeling "100 times better". Energy took time to arrive, but now, a year later, I definitely feel I have more mental energy and I'm starting to think about what else is possible in my life.

2. Resigning for a year is easier than giving up for a month

I discovered that when I stayed for a month in the past, the social pressure to drink accumulated. "You have to drink at XYZ" or "Can not you add another week at the end?" As soon as I told people that I would have to give up for a year, the pressure turned into congratulations. I lost count of the number of people who said "I wish I could do it too".

3.The alcohol-free market is booming.

I have yet to find a credible substitute for wine, everything is too thin, too sweet, BUT there are a lot of good 0% beers that can act as a placebo in the early days and I can not speak enough of Tesco's Virgin G & T's. After forgetting what the gin knows and not getting into Seedlip's car, I asked my friends to try alcohol and low GYT on the street and I took a big thumb. With 0,5% of alcohol technically it is a non-alcoholic drink, but if you want to split your hair, my argument would be that yes, there is a little 'alcohol, enough to kill the FOMO but not enough to give you a hangover. the morning

4.it is a mindset.

During the last year I participated in two weddings (my brother and my best friend) a hen weekend in Palma and a week of holidays in France with three other families. In the past, only one of these events would have been a reason not to give up in 2017. But I knew that if I continued to find social excuses it would never happen. At the beginning of the year it seemed impossible to participate or enjoy those events without alcohol. The truth is that I liked them even more without a hangover. I thought it was no one's business what was in my cup, why should I worry? And that thought, in some way, helped me to overcome it.

5.Discover who you really are.

After more than 20 years of drinking in public, I wanted to know who I really was without that. It looks a little deep, right? I will not lie, I was disappointed enough to discover that I felt sad and unhappy for most of the time, was that the lack of alcohol or alcohol had masked / exacerbated a deeper problem? In the summer, I finally visited the doctor to talk about depression. It turned out that I had a small iron deposit that left me permanently exhausted. Now, as long as I keep myself updated, I feel good.

6.You are not alone.

Besides the public admiration of others, I was surprised by the fact that many people have contacted me privately to say they have even stopped drinking or are very close to doing so. One of the best things this year was to inspire others carelessly. I promise you, I'm not anti-alcohol. I've always said that if alcohol does not adversely affect your life, then you do not need to stop. But they are messages like the one I received this morning (and that ultimately inspired me to write this blog) that make it even sweeter; "With your inspiration, I decided to make a year without alcohol, I'm excited and terrified by the prospect, I have to stop using it like my crutch and the fact that I feel the amount I drink is gradually increasing. last new year I envy you when you posted, since I did not think I could go honestly a week, it does not matter a year I'm so scared but so excited for 2018. I hid behind him for a long time. "

7.you can really do it.

Nothing is impossible, certainly not what you choose to pour into a glass and then decide to pour it into your mouth. There are many people who are monetizing this new and fiery trend (it seems the Millennials are turning their back on alcohol to a large extent) but it is not necessary to pay for it. Take one day at a time. One weekend at a time. One social event at a time. Do not think about the bigger picture. Walk every day and when you wake up you feel free from the hangover, feel proud of yourself and wait for that feeling. You can also check out this free Facebook group without alcohol Club Soda.

8.i am more confident now that I was first.

Now this surprised me. People drink to give them confidence, but now I see that I was hiding behind the alcohol and I did not mix out of my little circle. Now, when I go out, I find out that I'm really interested in conversing with people; honestly, now I feel more confident than ever. Maybe he does not bother to make fun of himself. Maybe it's knowing that I will not wake up with 'fear'. Whatever it is, I love it.

9.Every one wants to know it

"Are you going to continue?" In January of last year, the idea of not drinking again was too big to contemplate, somehow it is still. During the last year I struggled back and forth, sometimes feeling "ready" to come back to drink in 2018, other times with the fear of falling back into old bad habits. All I can say is that right now, waking up to hangover and without anxiety is a sufficient incentive to continue. As the New Year approaches, I'm thinking about new challenges: I want to get back into shape, blog more ... and that's enough for me.