Month 0: I’m going to take a year off
As I sit here and type this, I am filled with a sense of determination and excitement. I have made the decision to take a year off from drinking, and I am ready to commit to this change in my life.
It all started about two months ago, when I began toying with the idea of giving up alcohol. I was listening to some incredible podcasts, and one in particular caught my attention. The podcast was called "The Good Human Factory" and featured a young man named Cooper Chapman, who at the age of 28 had decided to take a year off from drinking.
Cooper's reasoning for taking a break from alcohol was simple: he had been drinking for 14 years (half his life) and had never taken a break. He thought, "Surely I can take one year off." And so he did.
As I listened to Cooper's story, I couldn't help but feel a sense of resonance. You see, I am 35 years old and have been drinking since I was 15 (the exact dates are a bit blurry). The longest I have ever gone without drinking was probably 8 weeks, when I was competing in powerlifting before major competitions. So, for 20 years, I hadn't had more than 2 months off in a row. And that sounds crazy when said out loud.
But I knew I had to stop, at least for a year. My partner and our 4-year-old cavoodle are about to finish our lap around Australia and return to reality in Melbourne. I have quit my secure job to start a new business and I need to focus.
Another podcast that I started listening to was "The Last Drinks Podcast." The hosts, Will Hitchens and Mitchel Ford, take listeners on their journey to sobriety. It's a wild ride, but it is so relatable for me because I could see how I could almost certainly end up having similar stories if I didn't slow down or stop my drinking.
After binging on those podcasts and learning more about alcohol, I am super excited to stop. Since deciding to stop, it's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I really think I can do this.
Quitting alcohol is not going to be easy, but I know it will be worth it. I am ready to focus on my health, my relationships, and my business. I am ready to be the best version of myself, and I am ready to take this year off.
So here's to a year of sobriety, self-discovery and personal growth. I am excited to see where this journey takes me, and I am excited to share my progress with you all along the way. Wish me luck!
