Today marks a deeply satisfying milestone for me—one full year without alcohol. For many years, I contemplated going alcohol-free, and after taking two separate five-month breaks, I knew deep down it was the path I wanted to take. But imagining a life entirely free from alcohol? It seemed nearly impossible. After all, alcohol was ingrained in so many aspects of life—celebrations, dining out, Sunday Fundays—it was just there.
What’s interesting is that no one ever asked me to quit or suggested I should. Quite the opposite—most people loved me as “the fun one” when I drank. I was silly, carefree, and happy… until I wasn’t. There came that tipping point—the slurring, the stumbling, the endless repetition. That version of me? I hated her.
So, let’s rewind to where it all began. I’m the youngest in a family of six, and celebrating with alcohol was just part of our world. In fact, my earliest memory of drinking was in third grade. Shocking, I know, but hear me out. On birthdays, we’d toast with champagne. Even as the youngest, I had a tiny glass that grew with age. I learned early to associate alcohol with joy, with celebration.
This carried into high school, where my friends and I drank on weekends—nothing too wild, just a regular habit. Life shifted at 22 when I had my first child. Parenthood and a demanding career pushed alcohol far into the background. Between pregnancies (I had five children!) and the chaos of life, there wasn’t much room for overindulging. But as time went on and my kids grew up, alcohol crept back into the picture—margaritas at birthdays, cocktails on holidays. It felt like nearly every week brought along an event or reason to drink. Back then, it felt normal. Now? I cringe at the thought of my old go-to, a White Russian.
For many years, alcohol wasn’t something I obsessed over. I drank socially at events, dinners, or nights out with friends. The problem wasn’t just the frequency or the amount – it was also who I became when I drank. I didn’t like that version of myself: loud, repetitive, messy, making plans I’d regret. In hindsight, some of the worst moments of my life had alcohol as a key player.
By my late 40s, I knew I needed a change. The hangovers were unbearable, and let’s be honest—no one wants to see a middle-aged woman drunk. But what really hit me was the realization that I couldn’t imagine going out to dinner or an evening event without a drink. I had to carefully count and limit my drinks because I didn’t have an off switch. Two drinks turned into three, which turned into four… and you know how that story ends.
The hardest part wasn’t quitting—it was the mental hurdle of imagining life without alcohol. How could I enjoy Christmas without champagne? Birthdays without a toast? Nights out without that cocktails? It felt daunting, even impossible.
But last year, I made a decision. December 23, 2023, would mark day one of an entire year without alcohol. And now, a year later, I can honestly say it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
The benefits were immediate and transformative. No more hangovers. No more worrying about what I said the night before. It’s freedom—pure and simple. My sleep improved (though it took a while), my skin glowed, I shed weight, and I found myself with so much more energy. I rediscovered the joy of going out and genuinely having fun without the crutch of alcohol. It reminded me of being young, when life was rich and vibrant without any thought of cocktails or wine. I wanted that feeling back, and I found it.
What began as a one-year experiment is now my lifestyle. If you have a great relationship with alcohol—if you can drink casually and never have to think twice—then you’re one of the lucky ones. But I’m not that person, and I wish I had realized it sooner.
Life is so much bigger, so much brighter, without alcohol weighing it down.
But if you’re struggling, know this: there’s another side of life out there waiting for you, full of freedom, clarity, and joy you might not have imagined yet.
I hope you all enjoy a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a safe and joyful New Year surrounded by family and friends.
Peace & Love
