I've recently made a decision to stop drinking alcohol.
Many I have spoken with in recent conversations have mentioned the need to cut back on alcohol consumption as it impedes on various aspects of their lives, so for those who are looking for inspiration, I want to share some of my reasons for abstaining.
I have an aspiration to become my highest and best self mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I feel like I've done a good job elevating in all of these areas however I also feel like I've hit a bit of a plateau.
I'm big on finding the ONE action that can be taken to produce the greatest results, and at this stage in my journey, I believe the one thing that I can do to break through this growth plateau is to cut alcohol out of my life.
I've nailed down my diet. I've optimized my lifestyle. I've surrounded myself with good people. I've invested in knowledge and skills.... But alcohol consumption has been the elephant in the room for me, and since I've seemingly exhausted all other levers for self-improvement, it's time to address this one now.
There are a few areas of life where I'm expecting to see benefits for cutting out alcohol...
Physical Health: Everything from sleep, to gut health, to immune system functioning is impacted by alcohol. As I continue in my fitness journey, and as I approach my 40s, I am understanding the importance of dialing into these aspects of life a bit more. Plus I've seemed to reach my limit of physical potential, however I'm curious to see how much further I can take things when alch is removed from the equation.
Mental Health: Because alch affects hormones I suspect that temporary episodes of anxiety, depression, lethargy and could be alleviated. My understanding is that the temporary highs that come with alcohol not only results in a subsequent low shortly after (think 'hangxiety') but it also rewires the brain for longer term tendencies of mood swings and disorders. Given the chaos of this world and the challenges of modern life, its in my better interest to do everything I can to manage through the turbulence. That includes cutting the drinking habit.
Relationships: I've recently been on a mission to become more self-sufficient. However when I think about it, I rely heavily on alcohol to "have a good time" or "bond" with other people. I have not trained myself to be fully present with myself and others particularly in social settings where alcohol can easily amplify the experience. It's time to change that.
Business & Productivity: I have found myself plenty of times putting off important tasks because I am too groggy from drinking, or because I stayed out way too late. Furthermore, I feel like I generally have room for improvement in terms of cognitive function, as I want to be as mentally sharp as possible.
Finances: It goes without saying that cocktails (my beverage of choice) put a dent in the wallet. I did some rough calculations for myself. (2 nights of drinking per week) x (3 drinks per night out x $20/drink) x (52 weeks per year) = $6,000. And that's probably a generous estimate if I'm being honest. So given that financial freedom is a very important goal, it makes sense for me to cut out expenses that are misaligned with my goals.
Will I ever have another drink? I'm sure I will have one here or there on special occasions, but at the moment my focus is on creating a lifestyle that is far removed from regular alcohol consumption.
Of course everyone has their own prerogatives and motivations. We're all adults here. We have our vices and guilty pleasures, and we make our decisions based on what we believe will bring the most benefit to our lives in one way or another.
However, if you are someone who feels like cutting back alcohol consumption could benefit you in any way then do reach out to me and lets chat!
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