Redefining My Relationship with Alcohol: A Personal Journey to Sobriety and Improved Creativity
In the world of social media, where we share and pick apart pretty much everything about our lives, it’s not rare to bump into stories of folks deciding to quit drinking. But, finding someone who’s straight-up about why they made such a big change isn’t always easy. In this piece, I’m gonna share my own story of ditching booze. I think it’s key to get why you’re doing it and what you hope to get out of it, so you can keep track of how you’re doing and figure out how you want booze to fit into your life moving forward.
Drinking in the Past:
I am strongly against prohibition and instead favor personal responsibility & discipline.
I don’t believe banning alcohol is the answer. Even though it might make society healthier on a physical level overall, it could lead to unintended cultural effects that would be detrimental to people’s mental health. Alcohol is, for better or worse, a part of our culture and crucial for helping people come out of their shells (to use a turtle pun for this article).
For many people, drinking is a social activity that brings friends and family together. I often used alcohol at many of my social events as a way to blend in more with people who I always felt were quite different from me for a variety of reasons. Alcohol served its purpose by enabling me to network more effectively at professional events and to take some risks that I normally wouldn’t, thanks to the reduced inhibitions. But nothing good lasts forever, and there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Alcohol, like any drug, has its trade-offs. I adjusted my personal relationship with alcohol when I noticed my consumption was significantly higher than many of my peers. I didn’t necessarily feel like I was getting trashed, but I was drinking moderate amounts quite often, which would have classified me as a heavy drinker. However, I began to see some deeper negative signs that became more pronounced in my mid-20s. Almost all my personal relationships started to revolve around alcohol, from social events to business interactions. Moreover, alcohol is unhealthy for reasons that extend beyond just the liver. It contributes to weight gain. The high calorie content in beer, combined with its negative impact on sleep, made me reconsider alcohol’s role in my life.
I asked myself… “Wait. Why am I drinking? Is this making me happier?”
Family History and Personal Growth:
For me, I was also aware of how people around me have used alcohol as a crutch during hard times in their lives. I did not want to find myself in situations where I was reliant on a hoppy beverage to help me through a low point in my life.
I have a family history of alcohol abuse and a difficult childhood. Recognizing the potential risk of following a similar path as my family members, I decided to make a change before reaching the age of 50. I assessed that the amount I was drinking was borderline acceptable in my 20s, but it would quickly become unsustainable and certainly not be socially acceptable if I continued drinking that much into my 50s.
The Benefits of Sobriety:
To be clear, overall, I do not regret drinking during my early 20s. I no longer have to worry about the physical and mental consequences of excessive drinking, such as the impact on my health and the potential for addiction, if I cut it out now rather than waiting for it to insidiously sneak up on me over the course of the next two decades.
Finding Creativity Without Alcohol:
One concern I had when deciding to quit drinking was whether I could maintain my reputation for wild creativity and continue to produce the content I was known for. As it turns out, my work gained more respect, and I experienced significant growth. My capabilities and the volume of releases increased noticeably after I stopped drinking. Granted, part of this was driven by my own intense work ethic, but I also ended up having many more hours available in the day, as well as feeling more rejuvenated from a good night’s sleep. In my art and writing, I made fewer mistakes and executed my ideas better, leading to a series of more successful and fulfilling projects that I am continuing to this day.
Conclusion:
My own life story is rather unique, but perhaps some people can relate in various ways. You don’t necessarily have to hit rock bottom to decide to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol. Sometimes, you can choose to make healthier life choices, and one of the most significant positive changes you can make is to reduce or eliminate your drinking. Give it a try. You might be surprised by how much better you feel, and you’ll appreciate being able to enjoy a Saturday morning without the need to guzzle Gatorade and devour greasy food to handle a hangover.
