2316: My Journey with Alcohol and Embracing the Sober-Curious Life

 This blog chronicles my authentic experience grappling with alcohol consumption, a topic currently in the spotlight under the buzzword "sober curious".

I embarked on my drinking journey at 20. Hailing from Generation X, I simply emulated the behaviors of the older generations from the 70s and 80s. For us, drinking and smoking were rites of passage into adulthood. A heavy drinker was looked upon with admiration. There were times I feigned sobriety, despite having had one too many.

As I transitioned into my 30s, I limited my drinking to weekends. This decision was influenced by my realization that alcohol was dampening my work productivity and zeal. Looking back, that was a pivotal moment, over 15 years ago.

On March 4th of this year, I took the plunge and decided to quit drinking. While I had upcoming exams and seminars, they weren't the primary catalysts for this decision. My real motivation? To bolster my resilience and vigor for my business and personal life.

Recent reports from institutions like WHO and national health surveys unequivocally state that there are no health benefits to alcohol consumption. Although health wasn't my primary driver, I'll share some tangible and intangible changes I noticed:

1. Weight Reduction: Over a span of 226 days, my weight steadily decreased by 3 kg, moving from 66.8 kg (on March 4th) to 63.8 kg (on October 16th). This reduction wasn't the result of deliberate weight management or added exercise. In fact, I might have consumed more calories than before.
2. Boosted Productivity: Embracing a sober life means no more hangovers. Even moderate evening drinks can affect the liver, particularly during its nocturnal process of metabolizing alcohol.
3. Enhanced Sleep Quality: Consuming alcohol before bedtime burdens the liver. Instead of processing essential nutrients like proteins and fats, the liver prioritizes detoxifying alcohol, converting it into harmless enzymes. This is why, even after an extended 10-hour sleep following heavy drinking, one might still feel exhausted. Our bodies, especially the liver, are hard at work throughout the night.

Conclusion:

Personally, I've yet to find a downside to this sober-curious lifestyle. Some might fear losing cherished evening pastimes or question how to maintain relationships with drinking buddies. In subsequent posts, I plan to discuss these challenges and their potential impact on one's life.

To conclude, life offers a plethora of hobbies and experiences beyond alcohol consumption. If you're intrigued by this sober-curious lifestyle, I urge you to give it a shot. Especially for daily drinkers, by Day 5, you'll start noticing a refreshed vigor and heightened mindfulness as your bloodstream purifies and your liver operates optimally. Expect a surge in energy, positivity, and self-esteem. Stay tuned for more updates on my journey.