New Years Post - Coming Out?
On new years I posted my story to LinkedIn and Instagram. It was extremely well received and I got a lot of support from friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances.
Here is the post in full:
As 2022 comes to a close, I wanted to share something personal with you all today. #accountability
As some of you may know, I recently made the decision to stop drinking alcohol. It's been 50 days now, and I have to say, I feel amazing.
For those who don't know, I used to be a binge drinker. I would only drink a little during the week, but on the weekends, I would easily have 20-30 standard drinks. I would almost always be the one of the last ones standing, but looking back, I realise I was probably a bit of a ring leader and kept people out late because I wouldn't stop drinking.
I recently returned from a trip around Australia, where I tried all the best beer and wine the country had to offer. But I found myself wanting more and more, and started drinking beers with higher alcohol content. I also started drinking wine "properly," visiting over two dozen wineries on my trip. And I started to drink more during the week.
So why did I finally decide to stop drinking? Well obviously the trend above is not great, but I'm starting a new business, and I need to be sharp and available to my staff and clients. Drinking wasn't going to help with that. I also took the time to really think about my values and what I needed to do to be my best self. After learning more about the toll alcohol can take on our minds and bodies, I knew that this was the right decision for me.
I stopped drinking on 11/11/22, and haven't looked back since. In fact, I feel more productive and healthy now. I've lost some weight and have been able to train more effectively. I have WAY more time to spend on the important things.
I know I'm not alone in wanting to reduce alcohol intake, and that's why I've started a new venture called Alc Free Life. It's a free resource for those who are sober curious or looking to give up alcohol for a healthier lifestyle. We offer resources and and will eventually run 1:1 and group sessions for those looking to make a meaningful change. We also have some cool merch, coming soon, for sale to promote an alc-free lifestyle to friends and family.
I know that in many industries, especially property and construction, alcohol is often a big part of events and gatherings. We believe it's time to consider offering better alc-free options and events. We will try to lobby leaders into making change in this space.
We also have an alcohol savings calculator if you care to see how much you could save by stopping.
Note: If you or someone you love is seeking more serious assistance, we recommend visiting a doctor or rehab specialist.
If you’re on the fence and have been thinking about giving up alcohol, feel free to reach out for a private chat.
I hope everyone has a fantastic NYE and look forward to connecting again in the new year.
