In the interest of full honesty, I must express my hesitations about discussing this topic. However, I believe there’s strength in confronting difficult issues—at least that’s what I keep telling myself. Since the start of the new year, I’ve been inundated with posts about Dry January in my social media feeds, along with discussions on various podcasts, prompting me to reflect on my own drinking habits.
Last week, I decided to join a private Facebook group dedicated to sobriety and reduced drinking. Initially, the idea of being sober or even semi-sober seemed alien to me. Just a few months ago, I began to scale back my alcohol consumption. Each day without alcohol has made me increasingly aware of its absence in my life.
Growing up, drinking was an integral part of my family culture and social circle. My personality tends toward addiction, and I’ve often turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism—whether to relieve stress, ease social anxiety, or combat feelings of loneliness and sadness. However, drinking isn’t just a remedy for challenging times; it has also become a ritual of celebration. Whether it’s a festive gathering or a day spent by the lake, drinks have always been part of the experience.
A pivotal moment occurred a few months ago at an NHL game in Montreal, where I celebrated my daughter’s inaugural hockey experience with multiple rounds of drinks. Unfortunately, I ended up feeling extremely ill, spending most of the night in the hotel bathroom, and ruining our breakfast plans the next day. Although my three-year-old daughter didn’t notice the disruption, I felt profound disappointment in myself.
Since that incident, I’ve made a conscious effort to examine my alcohol consumption. The results of this introspection were alarming; I realized I was drinking daily, often out of pure habit, and never stopping at just one. While I haven’t completely given up alcohol, I’ve come to understand its negative impact on my daily life—affecting my mornings, energy levels, and mental clarity.
I still enjoy the occasional drink, but I’m now focused on reducing my daily intake and regaining control. Each morning I wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day reinforces my commitment. I’ve been hitting my hydration goals and savoring warm turmeric milk with honey and cinnamon in the evenings. The positive effects on my overall health, well-being, and finances are noteworthy.
For those interested in exploring parenting topics, especially regarding pregnancy and home insemination, I recommend checking out this excellent resource: WomensHealth.gov – Pregnancy. If you’re on a fertility journey, you may find helpful information in one of our other blog posts about home insemination kits: Make a Mom – Couples Fertility Journey. Additionally, for insights on vaccines, visit Intracervical Insemination – Vaccines.
In summary, reflecting on my drinking habits has been a revealing journey that has prompted me to reevaluate my relationship with alcohol. I am learning to embrace healthier choices while still acknowledging my enjoyment of a good drink.