In the spirit of full honesty, I must confess that I have some apprehensions about discussing my drinking habits, but I’m taking a deep breath and diving in. There’s a certain strength that comes from confronting difficult topics, or at least that’s what I’m reassuring myself. Since the start of the year, I’ve seen numerous posts about Dry January in my social media feeds, heard discussions on various podcasts, and it’s been on my mind quite a bit.
Recently, I decided to join a private Facebook group focused on sobriety and moderation. The concepts of sobriety and semi-sobriety used to seem foreign to me. Who would voluntarily choose that lifestyle?
A few months ago, I began to cut back on my alcohol consumption. Each day without drinking has made me increasingly aware of its absence. For much of my life, I never felt the need to scrutinize my relationship with alcohol, as it is deeply ingrained in both my family and community culture.
I’ve always had an addictive personality, and for years, I used alcohol as a coping mechanism—treating stress, easing social anxiety, and combating feelings of loneliness and sadness. Drinking wasn’t just a way to cope during tough times; it was also a ritual for celebrations. Whether it was a few glasses of wine on good days or cocktails by the lake, alcohol was always part of the equation. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” I would tell myself.
This drinking culture has particularly permeated the lives of women and mothers. We often wear our evening cocktails as badges of honor, a reward after long days filled with responsibilities.
An eye-opening moment occurred a few months back while attending an NHL game in Montreal with my family. It was my youngest daughter’s first game, a milestone worth celebrating. However, I lost track of how much I drank that night, and the aftermath was brutal. I ended up sick and unable to enjoy breakfast the next morning, leaving me disappointed in myself, especially since my daughter remained blissfully unaware of the change in our plans.
Since that incident, I’ve become more mindful of my drinking habits. What I uncovered was alarming: I was drinking daily, often out of sheer habit. Returning home, I would instinctively reach for a beer or pour a glass of wine, and it was common for me to have more than one.
While I haven’t stopped drinking entirely, I’ve come to recognize that it was negatively impacting my life. I often dreaded getting out of bed, attributing my sluggishness to being a “non-morning person,” but now I see the connection to my drinking routine.
I still enjoy alcohol, but I now consciously choose not to open the fridge as soon as I arrive home. My goal isn’t to eliminate drinking, but rather to control and reduce my intake. Each morning I wake up clear-headed and able to rise easily strengthens my resolve. I’ve been meeting my hydration goals and savoring warm turmeric milk with honey and cinnamon in the evenings. The positive effects on my health, well-being, and finances have been rewarding.
Cheers to new beginnings, from my steaming mug.
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In summary, this journey of self-reflection regarding my alcohol consumption has opened my eyes to the subtle ways it affected my life. By focusing on moderation and making conscious choices, I am reclaiming my health and well-being, one day at a time.