Are you still on the fence about taking a break from drinking?
Maybe you’ve heard all the usual reasons: great sleep, no hangovers, saving money, looking better… but perhaps that’s not quite hitting the mark for you.
Sometimes we need to hear something a bit different to make it all click into place.
Today I’m sharing five unusual reasons to quit drinking alcohol that might just give you that fresh perspective you’re looking for…
Key points
Reason 1. You stop falling for a marketing scam
Over the past few decades, there’s been a very effective “pink-ification” of the alcohol industry to get women drinking more. Pink gins, fruity cocktails, low-calorie wines, “wine o’clock” culture, glittery prosecco with the girls – none of this used to exist.
This blatant marketing to women is often presented as empowerment or equality, but it’s not. We’re just being sold to. When you quit drinking, you’re no longer falling for one of the biggest marketing cons of our time.
Reason 2. You get your identity back
When you’re drinking, you stop doing a lot of the things that make you… you. Maybe you’ve stopped reading because you can’t focus properly when drunk. Perhaps you don’t paint anymore because it seems like more effort than drinking. Maybe you’ve lost your passion for theatre because shows interrupt your drinking schedule.
What part of your identity has quietly slipped away because alcohol has taken its place? Sobriety gives you the chance to rediscover who you really are. There’s a happier, more confident version of you that will return when you take alcohol away.
Reason 3. You get your self-trust back
Drinking made me a terrible liar – to myself. I’d say “I’m just going to have one” or “It’ll only be a small one,” but even as I said it, I knew it wasn’t true. When you can’t trust the words coming out of your own mouth, it makes it harder to believe in yourself in other areas of life.
When you keep letting yourself down with this one thing, night after night, it makes it harder to push yourself and excel elsewhere. You don’t go for that promotion or try that new thing, because you’re feeling unsure and doubting yourself.
Reason 4. You stop distracting yourself from uncomfortable emotions
Ok, so this might not sound appealing, but you actually need those uncomfortable emotions – the boredom, the loneliness, the stress. They’re telling you something important about your life.
Drinking through these emotions keeps you stuck in them, repeating the same patterns over and over rather than changing anything. When you’re sober, you can actually hear what your emotions are trying to tell you – and act on them.
Reason 5. You get to flip roles in your life
Let me tell you about my student Katie. She used to spend her summers drinking at her local pub, watching people kayak down the river as she got drunk and staggered home. Now that she’s sober? She’s the one kayaking past the pub on Friday nights!
I love that story because it reminds me of my own role flip. I used to be the hungover woman in the cafe on Sunday mornings, wondering how other women had already been to the gym. Now I get to be one of those productive people who work out early and get on with their day.
Which of these unusual reasons to quit drinking alcohol resonates with you the most?
I’d love to hear in the comments which one gives you something new to think about. And remember, you can quit drinking for any reason you like. It might be one big thing, or a range of smaller reasons… it might be something noble and serious or something much smaller and sillier than that. There are so many reasons to quit drinking alcohol!
Ready to create an alcohol-free life you love? Click here to learn more about my Getting Unstuck course.
19 responses
Hi Kate, I’ve recently stopped drinking wine and using my problems ( sister recently diagnosed with cancer, and coping with my elderly mum who has dementia) as an excuse to drink, when actually it was making me feel so much worse instead of better. (I’m really going for it this time.)Please wish me luck.
Regards,
Maria.x
Hi Maria, Well done for giving yourself this opportunity. If you need any support, my online coaching programme would be a great fit for you. Here are some more details: https://thesoberschool.com/course/
I have been watching your videos for some time and getting inspiration and ideas. I would quit awhile and then go back to drinking. Or it would be hard because my husband was still drinking. We both never drank when raising our seven kids but started in our late 40s. Recently my dog was sick and I became very stressed. My husband was also fearful and stressed and acted out in anger. This caused me to go into freeze mode and I made the mistake of drinking too much. I had a black out and I was not as present with my dog and his needs. A day later he passed away. I don’t know if it was my fault because I can’t remember if I properly took care of him. I was hung over and in a panic mode. The day he died I decided to drink away the pain. But something snapped or clicked. I realized you had been warning me all along but I wasn’t really listening. I would agree but not follow through. The next day I decided to stop and I did. At first it was for Cheese (my dog). After awhile I started to feel better and able to think clearly I could use your tools to talk myself through a difficult moment. Ask myself questions. My husband on his own has stopped drinking as well. This past weekend we went on a drive to another city and had dinner. My husband kept saying that was really fun, I really enjoyed it. I remembered trips like this used to include drinking. It was the focus point. Usually ended in an argument or something negative. I don’t know if I will ever drink again but I finally see the light. I am not trying so hard to stop. I am finally facing my problems and issues I have created or just need to address. I talk myself through it and decide alcohol will not help or solve or ease. I will never know if I could have saved my dog but I do know I will never face that crushing question again if someone else important to me is ill. Thank you for all of your work and support. Sara
Hi Sara, Thank you for sharing this. I’m so sorry to hear what you’ve been through with the loss of your dog but what an amazing turn around. Congratulations!
Oh my, I can’t pick one reason over another! These are all GREAT, and I’d like to say, Kate, that I am experiencing all these truths now because you’ve had a big part in my sobriety! I still need and love getting your weekly messages. This is one of your best! Thanks!
Pleasure Sherre, great to hear how well you are doing.
All of them were great but one thing stood out “identity “ yes it definitely stops you doing what you used to .i need to try and keep sober otherwise I won’t keep on top of my house/garden then I’ll end up downsizing to make it easier and I don’t want to do that
Hi Dawn, Yes I think losing your identity and stopping doing the things you love will resonate with others too. Removing alcohol brings back time and your confidence too.
I drink because I find it relaxing. I am an anxious person and a worrier. I have lots of issues. I wish I was different. I was a Teaching Assistant for 30 years. I retired 4 years ago. I’ve had counselling which worked for a while. You can’t understand what goes on in my head. Sometimes I am scared to go to sleep! I know its not right but drinking is a big release. I only drink daytime if im lunching and only have one small one and no more. I find that fine.
Alcohol is a crude, toxic poison that has been around for centuries and hasn’t changed. What changes is our mood and beliefs about what we perceive it can do for us. I wrote another blog on this exact topic that you might find helpful? https://thesoberschool.com/alcohol-the-drug-that-claims-to-do-everything/
Lynne, that sounds like a tough reality. But I wonder if you might ask yourself, why are you reading & listening here if you find your drinking fine? There must be something about it that doesn’t seem fine to you, else a site devoted to sobriety wouldn’t pique your interest. Just a thought. Take care.
I was always a morning person but mornings have become so hard and I want that energy back. To sit and enjoy my coffee at 5:30 while my 2 year old plays. To enjoy the fresh air and look forward to the day ahead, rather than dreading the slog. I am on day 16 and it is day one of my first sober holiday and I am loving it (except for the odd craving – your pep talk has helped a lot). Thank you so much and for your supportive team. I am so much more present than I have been in a long time xx
Well done on 16 days! That morning energy comes back when you give your body recovery time. Alcohol-free holidays are a total upgrade; here’s a blog post I wrote that will help you enjoy this sober first experience. https://thesoberschool.com/alcohol-free-holiday-this-year/
These are all fantastic reasons. Trusting myself, and knowing others can trust me, is a huge motivator. But since I’ve started pursuing sobriety (still a work in progress; looking forward to your course!), the marketing aspect has jumped out at me. One of the women in your success stories ~ Susan, I believe, who worked in the industry ~ addresses this. It’s truly bonkers, the influence the alcohol industry has on our culture. I’ve always prided myself on not joining the bandwagon, bucking the system, etc, but I was sucked right into the scam. Thanks for highlighting this, Kate.
You’re welcome Colleen and don’t get me started on the alcohol marketing specifically to women!
Trusting myself again is a big one for me. Making myself promises to just have one or two glasses of wine, knowing full well as soon as I start good intentions go out of the window. I wish I wasn’t like this as I have friends who ‘occasion’ drink, ie birthdays, special nights out, etc and go weeks or months without a drink but enjoy when there’s a celebration. I just can’t do that. I’m trying AGAIN. I used sober October last year and was lulled into a false sense of security when I decided to have a drink at Christmas. The year has slowly declined from that point.
You’re not alone Joanne and it’s easy to forget that alcohol is the most glamorised drug on the planet and dangled before us as a magic elixir for everything from celebrations to commiserations! I wrote a blog a while ago that I think might really help you, so have a listen: https://thesoberschool.com/the-real-problem-with-just-one-drink/
All 5 reasons are so true. The lure of a well designed wine label was enough to draw me in a d the more it cost the better it must be!!!! What power marketing has.
What resonates with me also is all the wonderfully honest comments and the support you give back Kate. I have registered and hope to get on the Getting Unstuck course at the end of September and I haven’t felt this excited and supported for years.
Hi Kathryn, Marketing does what it’s designed to do I suppose, draw us in. However, you’ll always get honesty and the truth from me. Great to hear you’ll be joining us in September. I’m excited for you.