There are lots of big, brilliant benefits to ditching booze.
But my favourite thing to talk about is actually the really small stuff.
The teeny tiny, discrete benefits of ditching booze. The side effects that perhaps only you will ever notice, but you’ll absolutely love.
So let’s talk about some of the simple benefits you can look forward to…
Key points:
Life’s about the little things
Sometimes we get caught up talking about the really big benefits, like looking younger and waking up hangover free. I absolutely love those things too, but it’s important not to overlook the smaller stuff. Those teeny, tiny things do matter and they add up. It can feel like death by a thousand paper cuts.
Examples of discrete and simple benefits:
- Being able to drive and pick your kids up in the evening, without resenting them for delaying the start of your drinking
- Not having to constantly manage your drinking and check you have enough at home… but not too much
- Being able to look your partner in the eye because you remember everything that happened last night
- Not having to pretend that you can recall a conversation that you have no memory of
- Wearing less make-up because your face isn’t as blotchy and red
- Being fully present for morning conversations, rather than ruminating on the night before
- No more hiding empties and having to work out where to dispose of them so they aren’t noticed
- A lighter recycling bin!
So what’s your little-but-big thing?
Whether you’ve quit drinking already or you’re still on that journey, I’d love to hear what simple benefit springs to mind for you here. If you’re still drinking, an easy way to figure this out is by answering this question: what are the small, bothersome things that you hate about drinking? Perhaps they’re things that only you know about or only you notice. They might be things that you hide well, but really wish you didn’t have to deal with.
43 responses
Yes, it’s the recycling bin and me trying to drop the bottles into the bin without making too much noise. So embarrassed at being caught with the empties in my dressing gown the morning after the night before.
I hear you, but no longer the empties dropping into the bin thankfully!
I miss the good old days when places where you can buy alcohol weren’t even on my radar. Before I started boozing, I could drive and walk around without ever noticing bars, bottleshops or even ads for alcohol in the landscape! Never used to pay them any mind at all. Now, they’re like the scene of that horrible car crash you can’t take your eyes away from for me. No matter how I try to keep them away l,.my eyes are drawn back to reminders of booze
I also miss the days when checking closing times on the ‘net for all the stores that sell alcohol in a 100 mile radius wasn’t a thing in my life either
It could be that way again for you Rose. If you’d like some support to do that, my online coaching programme would be a great fit for you. Check out my free webinar for more details: https://thesoberschool.com/battle-with-booze
I started my alcohol free journey last October with a little success. I’m currently 3 weeks sober and attending the Sober School program. My little but big thing was getting embarrassed with the homeless guy who went through the weekly recycle bin and how many large empty bottles of vodka he took. Now… there’s none! No more shame regarding empties!
It’s the little things that matter, but often go unnoticed. It’s good to think of all the benefits because they are numerous and add up to the full experience of peaceful alcohol-free living. 🙂
I absolutely hated that I hated myself and felt ashamed not even knowing why I had to glut down the whole bottle of wine then pretend I hadn’t- makes no sense to my conscious mind at all but totally shows how powerful the subconscious brain and of course what a rotten unsophisticated drug alcohol is. (July 23 graduate – best thing I ever did) if you want to quit drinking its just the best, don’t think about it just do it
So good to hear you are still going strong Bernadette and that one year anniversary is just around the corner. ❤️
My little-big thing about quitting alcohol was that I could jump in the car at any time of day: morning or night, fully present and aware. For years my car was out of action for me most nights.
Without alcohol I could pop to the shops for forgotten ingredients, be relied upon as the designated driver (I felt so honored and powerful!) and drive myself to the gym to work out. To drive at night may not be a biggy for many people, but for me it opened up a whole new world, as thought I had attained a superpower to enhance my life and those of family and friends.
1574 days AF
Agreed Nikki, having trust in yourself to be present for your family, or a friend in need is truly invaluable. And 1,574 days alcohol-free is amazing, many congratulations! ❤️
Definitely not hiding bottles because it was too late to take them out to the bin and then waking and trying to remember where I had hidden them.
Oh gosh yes and then discovering them in their hiding place a week or so later!
I really like this video and look forward to no more empties – not bottles, not memories, not promises. This is a hopeful thought.
I really like that Ann 🙂 No more empties of any kind, life is too precious for missing out on memories and breaking promises.
Hi, for me it’s the guy at the Tesco self-serve who had to authorise my purchase each time I went. I’m sure he was keeping a weekly count. Thankfully 74 days later I bet he misses me
Well done Izzy, for breaking free from that pattern. If you’re seeking support to maintain this progress, consider attending my free webinar: https://thesoberschool.com/battle-with-booze
My sister lives in a different time zone. So often I had to cancel plans to talk on the phone because I had started in. I talk (FaceTime) with her all the time now. Actually I’m talking with lots of long distance friends and relatives. Always a good time to chat now! Sober School works!
Thanks for the endorsement of the Sober School. ❤️ Authentic, engaging conversations are invariably more satisfying for both individuals involved; it’s good to talk!
That hit home with me. I sometimes avoid answering my Phone, even to my sisters and friends if I’ve had a lot to drink. So many things in Kate’s blog have struck a chord with me so thank you. I’m only 3 days in and but determined to keep going. I can’t remember the last time I went 3 days without booze.
That hit home for me. I do wounder if people in the gym class can smell the alcohol seeping through my sweat! And I do have days when I can’t even remember going to bed let alone how the TV programme I’ve been watching with my husband ended! I keep on wanting to stop drinking but I go for a weeknor so then husband encourages me just to “have 1 glass”! I do feel very pathetic especially as I need to stay fit for my job.
It’s certainly not pathetic to drink when it is so romanticised and glamourised in our society. We have a lot of lifelong conditioning and marketing to thank for that, but at the end of the day, it’s a toxic drug that causes harm. When we think of drinking as a reward, it’s hard to deny ourselves, but have a listen to my take on this topic: https://thesoberschool.com/drinking-is-my-reward-at-the-end-of-a-long-day/
I love how my kids & grandkids can stop by any time of day and I’m 100% present & not trying to hide my drinking——I’m FREE!!!
Isn’t that the best feeling Kim and the benefits ripple outwards to our family too. Congratulations! 🙂
Not hiding the empty wine bottle at end of night, having blank spots in my memory and wondering what clerk thought of my alcohol purchases.
Absolutely, this is when the little benefits become the big benefits!
My daughter and I had a seamstress appointment today for her wedding dress. She asked if we could go get dinner after. My immediate thought was it would normally cut into my drinking hour and I would then be full of food, hence not really being able to drink much after. But what a gift! The fact that my daughter wants to hang out with me! I’m never trading that for drinking.
Aah, that’s beautiful to know your daughter wants to spend quality time with you and should never be sacrificed. ❤️
I hate the morning after and not remembering but absolutely knowing the argument was my fault
Hi Kate, wow I never thought of that so I’m starting a list of ‘little’ things that make me happy about being sober. I used to put newspaper & cereal boxes in the bin to smother the noise of the crashing bottles or place them in by hand watching out for neighbors. Also watching the check out ladies to see if they noticed my ‘regular purchases’. A lady at my club has now given up the booze, I hope it’s ok that I sent her your email. love always gill. xx
It’s the little things that matter in life, so I love your idea to list those that make you happy. Thanks so much for passing on my email, I do appreciate you spreading the word so I can help more women escape the alcohol trap. 🙂
Hi Kate, The best thing for me is not having a disgusting taste in my mouth when I wake up in the morning. The bin clattering was an issue as well. It’s just over 6 weeks now and these problems are no more. Thank you.
Valuing the little things can cumulatively lead to a positive outlook on sobriety, which is sometimes unfairly stigmatised. Six weeks is awesome, keep going Bernette!
Going to do the main shopping and not going down the alcohol aisle, without a second thought. Cost of the shopping now gives me more money left in our bank account. Happy days.,
Yes that is a great benefit Sheila, love that. Saving money is always a good thing, more to spend on truly looking after yourself.
Not having to think of an excuse to get my vodka. Such as “oh honey do you want that burger at lunchtime?” I used to get the burger and stop at the liquor store on the way back and hide it in my purse. I have been free almost a month!
Thank you! I took a quiet time to listen to you twice. And it was nice to push aside the obvious. So often, I don’t feel sharp, especially in the mornings, and I have to talk to colleagues, I have to be on zoom meetings. And I feel, like I’m not making sense or overcompensating. I feel stressed and embarrassed about myself.
Pretty much can relate to all the things you mentioned, I think definitely going home in the evening to open the wine to relax and nothing else matters , when really I wish I was going to the gym or doing something I enjoy
Thank you so much for your videos and information, I no longer feel alone. All my friends are drinkers and I know that I will be faced with peer pressure when they know I no longer drink. Big statement as I’m only two days in! One little thing I won’t miss is always having to check that I have Ibuprofen at hand every time I drink, especially if I’m staying away from home. Sometimes I even take it before going to bed in the hope that my hangover will be less severe. No more! I’ve given up before for 6 months but somehow my decision this time feels different, more permanent and I will definitely use the resources you so kindly provide.
I won’t have to worry about people smelling that stale booze smell on me if there standing close……when you stand by someone who clearly drinks regularly, you can smell that horrible tangy smell……..I hate the thought of smelling like this!
I have literally only just started but I am already not trying to make excuses to be left alone in the kitchen to get on with stuff, or making excuses to go get something from kitchen so I could quickly and without family seeing knock back a glass from the wine box! And the wine box has gone! I really hope it won’t come back
You hit the nail on the head Kate! Definitely, remembering what my partner and I discussed the night before. And just recently, learning that I can say some “not me at all” things when I am drinking. I was mortified when my partner told me what I had said. I feel so joyful that I won’t ever be in that situation again! Thank you for all you do!
I’m on day 3 and I spent an amazing day with my daughter yesterday. We made brownies together and watched Xmas films, before I would have been drinking from late afternoon and wouldn’t have done anything with her I would have just fallen asleep in front of tv. I never remembered conversations I had, but then people would say oh you were really funny, in other words showing myself up for them to laugh at. I’m through with it, people won’t believe I’ve stopped drinking so I’ve only told my husband so far because I know I will get laughed at again and told oh yeah you won’t be able to stop!! I need to do this!!
I’m hoping that my stomach will settle down a bit. Wine always seems to give me diarrhoea. Also I have been taking anti-acid medication daily because of the wine. This makes me worry constantly about my poor gut microbiome which impacts on the rest of my health.
I am on day 4 of no alcohol now and it has already improved a bit.