Hi. I appreciate your honesty and description of your experience. Alcohol is not a benign substance, despite what the alcohol industry promotes. Dulling of your senses, a negative change in your personality, and concerns about being present for your kids are all warning signs and reasons to stop drinking. Meditation, yoga, and therapy, if needed, can help achieve the positive states of fun and playfulness without the use of substances. I am a physician. It’s good to figure this out while you’re young. Sent with gratitude and love.
There is nothing more glorious than waking up ‘alcohol free’ and even the tiniest amount on the day before leaves a residue, a dullness . And you only notice the difference when you stop!
Thanks for your brave, honest sharing. I have also stopped drinking, and 19 months on I feel mostly relief and gratitude for breaking this habitual way of distracting myself.
I totally agree, Lizzie! I am also married to an Austrian and live in Switzerland but grew up in America. The Europeans, especially Austrians in general, have a very loose attitude towards alcohol and I’ve learned to embrace wonderful wine pairings and leisurely lunches at a nice restaurant with a bottle of wine. I hardly ever drank alcohol before moving to Europe. It’s nice until it’s not and like a friend recently said, she’s giving up alcohol because it’s giving her back less than it used to. I sleep better without alcohol and am generally more alert and active. I have no problem not drinking, so I am also enjoying a long break from wine and spirits at the moment and catching up on the video content of Relax & Renew Level 1.
I totally agree! I stopped drinking alcohol for 16 weeks after surgery in February. I felt healthier, more energised, slept better & achieved more at the weekends. ( only usually drink Friday & Saturday) It’s the sluggishness I hate!
We’ve had a lot of social occasions recently but I’m also stopping again now until December. There are so many nice non alcohol beers/ Gins etc around now. You can still feel like you have a glass of something in your hand without the after effects. Good luck!
Thank you for this heartfelt and honest share, Lizzie. When my astrologer said, "Sobriety can help you to know the difference between intuition and illusion", I thought oooh, I want that! It's been a guidepost ever since (4.5 years alcohol-free).
I also found Ann Dowsett Johnston's book Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol very illuminating.
Appreciate the courage to share Lizzie. My observation is that alcohol falls away naturally usually do to a lack of resonance as you increase your vibration. I wouldn't be surprised as you take a break if when you came back to it, the body responded with a stronger uncomfortable reaction. In my own case, the reactions became so strong that it just no longer made any form of drinking appealing. Quitting completely was a necessity vs. an intellectual decision. This might seem like a pain in the ass at first, but it's actually a huge gift. I haven't looked back and am grateful my body no longer cooperated in retrospect
This feels like such an important conversation around alcohol. We have a tendency to act as though, because it's legal, it's not harmful. But as you start to pay attention more, it really does feel like quite a toxic substance. I wish it weren't so socially sanctioned that to not drink leaves you feeling like a social anomaly..
I went alcohol free for a month Jan 2020. Alcohol had become a way to relax and spend time with friends and my husband, but it had crept up. We both decided to stop for the month. Within days my sleep, digestion, mood and energy levels were improved. Off and on after that month I would have one drink and noticed how strong my body reacted with headaches, sleep disruption and that sluggishness. Now three and 1/2 years later, I no longer feel regret when I am with others and choose to have a non alcoholic beverage. I love the bite of ginger beer or a cordial with sparkling water as a festive way to end the day and sit with friends.
The responses from others have been mixed. I have found myself explaining to others why I don't drink much more often than I was ever asked the question of why I did drink.
Thank you for sharing, Lizzie. I am 101 days alcohol-free today, and although it wasn’t initially choice I loved or wanted, it had to happen. Now I like it. I’m more curious, more alive and healthy, more rested and less anxious. And so very grateful!
I love that you were daring enough to say aloud what you’ve become conscious of in your relationship with alcohol:) let’s see where you take this! It could be huge, especially for your family!
With much appreciation for your vulnerability and honesty. We wonder sometimes too and take breaks at times. Everything seems to have its plus and minus. Thanks for offering out a resonant observance.
Transparency and vulnerability...2 things missing in our communication with each other. To feel safe "just as we are and have been" without judgement. A few times I have been ridiculed because "my yoga teacher isn't supposed to be like that" as I have said a few wrong things. Even with a Non-Violent communication study with your mom, I have errored. And I am rarely forgiven, even though I forgive myself and everyone. I am a Christian yogi so I am thankful for God's love and forgiveness because humans are tough. And as for alcohol, I used to really enjoy some. Now, not so much. It's got to taste good, feel good and for me these days my body says "only 1 please". I appreciate, honor and respect your truth. It's a great lesson Lizzie
Hi. I appreciate your honesty and description of your experience. Alcohol is not a benign substance, despite what the alcohol industry promotes. Dulling of your senses, a negative change in your personality, and concerns about being present for your kids are all warning signs and reasons to stop drinking. Meditation, yoga, and therapy, if needed, can help achieve the positive states of fun and playfulness without the use of substances. I am a physician. It’s good to figure this out while you’re young. Sent with gratitude and love.
Thanks, Zach.
I love this Lizzie - it is exactly where I am at!
There is nothing more glorious than waking up ‘alcohol free’ and even the tiniest amount on the day before leaves a residue, a dullness . And you only notice the difference when you stop!
Thanks for your brave, honest sharing. I have also stopped drinking, and 19 months on I feel mostly relief and gratitude for breaking this habitual way of distracting myself.
I totally agree, Lizzie! I am also married to an Austrian and live in Switzerland but grew up in America. The Europeans, especially Austrians in general, have a very loose attitude towards alcohol and I’ve learned to embrace wonderful wine pairings and leisurely lunches at a nice restaurant with a bottle of wine. I hardly ever drank alcohol before moving to Europe. It’s nice until it’s not and like a friend recently said, she’s giving up alcohol because it’s giving her back less than it used to. I sleep better without alcohol and am generally more alert and active. I have no problem not drinking, so I am also enjoying a long break from wine and spirits at the moment and catching up on the video content of Relax & Renew Level 1.
"it's nice until it's not" - amen!
I totally agree! I stopped drinking alcohol for 16 weeks after surgery in February. I felt healthier, more energised, slept better & achieved more at the weekends. ( only usually drink Friday & Saturday) It’s the sluggishness I hate!
We’ve had a lot of social occasions recently but I’m also stopping again now until December. There are so many nice non alcohol beers/ Gins etc around now. You can still feel like you have a glass of something in your hand without the after effects. Good luck!
Thank you for this heartfelt and honest share, Lizzie. When my astrologer said, "Sobriety can help you to know the difference between intuition and illusion", I thought oooh, I want that! It's been a guidepost ever since (4.5 years alcohol-free).
I also found Ann Dowsett Johnston's book Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol very illuminating.
Cheering you on from Newfoundland, Canada.
Love that quote!
Appreciate the courage to share Lizzie. My observation is that alcohol falls away naturally usually do to a lack of resonance as you increase your vibration. I wouldn't be surprised as you take a break if when you came back to it, the body responded with a stronger uncomfortable reaction. In my own case, the reactions became so strong that it just no longer made any form of drinking appealing. Quitting completely was a necessity vs. an intellectual decision. This might seem like a pain in the ass at first, but it's actually a huge gift. I haven't looked back and am grateful my body no longer cooperated in retrospect
Thanks for sharing your experience. And love the reframing of "pain in the ass" as a "gift" 😅
This feels like such an important conversation around alcohol. We have a tendency to act as though, because it's legal, it's not harmful. But as you start to pay attention more, it really does feel like quite a toxic substance. I wish it weren't so socially sanctioned that to not drink leaves you feeling like a social anomaly..
Hi Lizzie
I went alcohol free for a month Jan 2020. Alcohol had become a way to relax and spend time with friends and my husband, but it had crept up. We both decided to stop for the month. Within days my sleep, digestion, mood and energy levels were improved. Off and on after that month I would have one drink and noticed how strong my body reacted with headaches, sleep disruption and that sluggishness. Now three and 1/2 years later, I no longer feel regret when I am with others and choose to have a non alcoholic beverage. I love the bite of ginger beer or a cordial with sparkling water as a festive way to end the day and sit with friends.
The responses from others have been mixed. I have found myself explaining to others why I don't drink much more often than I was ever asked the question of why I did drink.
I am wishing you well with palms together.
Nancy
Yes, dancing that dance myself with others. Many friends assume I'm pregnant again, lol.
Thank you for sharing, Lizzie. I am 101 days alcohol-free today, and although it wasn’t initially choice I loved or wanted, it had to happen. Now I like it. I’m more curious, more alive and healthy, more rested and less anxious. And so very grateful!
More rested and lest anxious? Sign me up.
You already signed up! Keep it going 💕
*older sister with arms raised as in hell yes*
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
🙏😘
I love that you were daring enough to say aloud what you’ve become conscious of in your relationship with alcohol:) let’s see where you take this! It could be huge, especially for your family!
With much appreciation for your vulnerability and honesty. We wonder sometimes too and take breaks at times. Everything seems to have its plus and minus. Thanks for offering out a resonant observance.
Transparency and vulnerability...2 things missing in our communication with each other. To feel safe "just as we are and have been" without judgement. A few times I have been ridiculed because "my yoga teacher isn't supposed to be like that" as I have said a few wrong things. Even with a Non-Violent communication study with your mom, I have errored. And I am rarely forgiven, even though I forgive myself and everyone. I am a Christian yogi so I am thankful for God's love and forgiveness because humans are tough. And as for alcohol, I used to really enjoy some. Now, not so much. It's got to taste good, feel good and for me these days my body says "only 1 please". I appreciate, honor and respect your truth. It's a great lesson Lizzie
yea you for so many reasons!!!❤️🙏