100 Amazing Things Happened When I Quit Wine

If you think sober is boring, sober is missing missing out, sober is unsexy, you're wrong.

This list is all the returns on my investment that I didn't notice happening in the background of my new sober life. I gave up one thing and I gained everything -- all because I was freeing up headspace and becoming alive.

I gave up one thing and I gained everything -- all because I freed up headspace and began becoming alive.

1. I started daily exercise

2. I started intermittent fasting

3. I created a meal planning system

4. I started using a weekly shopping list

5. I started a meditation practice

6. I bought a jade roller

7. I started using a scalp massager in the shower

8. I got new underwear

9. I joined Qapital and started saving money

10. I gave myself permission to rest

11. I started praying more; doing daily devotions and connecting with God

12. I started reliably brushing my teeth before bed

13. I started moisturizing my face at night

14. I started washing my face before bed

15. I started daily journaling

16. I started making friends

17. I shared vulnerabilities

18. I subscribed to Audible and started listening to books

19. I took my dog for surgery

20. I started taking vitamins

21. I started flossing

22. I started speaking up for myself

23. I discovered boundaries and started enforcing them

24. I bought a domain name for a blog and started planning

25. I bought a new car. On my own.

26. I purged our spare bedroom that was a wasteland of lost things

27. I set up a writing studio

28. I decluttered and reorganized my kitchen

29. I made a vision board

30. I started peeking out of my turtle shell and drove three hours to Indiana to meet a new alcohol-free friend

31. I got published!

32. I upgraded my coffee

33. I started making protein shakes

34. I started writing down goals in my planner each month

35. I started asking for help instead of suffering in silence and being passive aggressive

36. My outlook became more positive

37. My mindset switched from fixed to growth

38. My negative self-talk stopped

39. I surprised my family with a puppy 🐶 💛

40. I started saying I Love You more

41. I discovered the Enneagram

42. I started teaching my son how to calm his mind and control his emotions

43. I started wearing my wedding rings again because they fit!

44. I got a weighted blanket and started sleeping more deeply

45. I started actually listening when others were speaking

46. I started wearing makeup again

47. I lost 10 lbs

48. My blood glucose normalized

49. My anxiety reduced dramatically

50. My blood pressure normalized

51. I was removed from the pre-diabetic "watch list"

52. I inspired my parents to go AF. They are 6 months!!

53. I started watching shows with my husband and I remembered what happened

54. I turned off my phone notifications

55. I made a budget

56. I started sleeping on a silk pillowcase

57. I started waking up before my alarm

58. I started leaping out of bed with anticipation of the day ahead

59. I started replacing my toothbrush heads each month

60. I STOPPED FANTASIZING ABOUT DYING

61. I stopped calling myself a fat little troll

62. I started making plans for the future

63. I started an evening routine and started winding down before bed

64. I talked to my kids about setting goals and working hard

65. I started making investments in myself

66. I organized a care package for a friend who needed a little love 💕

67. I started believing I could do big things

68. I started practicing expressing my opinions

69. I started feeling confident

70. I started telling my husband the truth about becoming alcohol free, my struggles with it and why it is so important to me

71. I started a gratitude journal

72. I started become less reactionary

73. I made my kids hot chocolate after they shoveled snow without complaining. Seems small, but when you are stumbling through life even small things seem to take too much effort.

74. I deleted apps that were sucking me in and wasting my time

75. I started becoming more organized

76. I started living in the moment

77. I started recognizing and feeling my unadulterated emotions -- joy, pain, grief, hope, stress -- without the mask of alcohol

78. I started to learn how to self-soothe without alcohol

79. I started saying, "Thank you, Jesus. I trust you, Jesus."

80. I started drinking lemon water

81. I started remembering promises and consequences I made to/for my kids

82. I de-matted my cat in a very respectful way

83. I bought salt scrub and started exfoliating in the shower

84. I was able to recover quickly from COVID

85. I started learning more about addiction

86. I joined online communities

87. I became more engaged at work

88. I started doing more than the bare minimum

89. I started expressing appreciation for others

90. I started feeling lighter -- more playful

91. I started taking an interest in cooking meals for my family

92. I started becoming a better problem solver

93. I started bouncing back from stressful events more easily

94. I started learning to stop taking responsibility for other people's feelings

95. I started accepting compliments instead of deflecting

96. I started to see other people's success as exceptional and not as a narrative about how I am not

97. I started sharing my story

98. I started encouraging others

99. I started smiling much more

100. I started connecting positive experiences with being sober minded.

Sober Doesn't Suck

A healthier, fuller, more JOYFUL life is waiting for you. Be brave. I can't wait to uncover all the gifts that year two will bring as I continue working at my alcohol-free life.