When you take an honest look at how alcohol shows up in your life, it can be revealing.
Honesty and self-reflection are empowering.
It wasn't until I got really honest with myself and started to question my relationship with alcohol, did I start to see the truth of what I was allowing my life to become.
My relationship with alcohol was full of beliefs that alcohol was the key to social situations, that I was more fun and funnier when I drank and that alcohol relieved my stress. All lies I told myself to mask what was really going on.
Two years ago I made the decision to quit alcohol. I have no stories of catastrophe. I just knew I was losing control and needed to take charge.
I was tired of feeling out of control in my life, feeling physically and mentally drained, being unable to focus or participate in activities to the fullest, apologizing for things I would have never done or said sober, and wasting my life living in an altered state that wasn't real.
Fortunately, it wasn't difficult for me to transition into sobriety, because I was ready and I was committed. I was committed to investing in my future, committed to a healthy mind and body and committed to becoming the best version of myself that I could.
It was the best, life-altering decision I've ever made. When I committed to the decision to be alcohol-free, following through made giving up alcohol easier than I thought.
I've gained incredible joy, peace, love and much, much more:
I relax after a stressful day without alcohol. With healthier alternatives like taking a bath or treating myself to a delicious meal. I also find that I am not as stressed anymore. Drinking increases levels of anxiety and stress hormones.
I am never hungover. I don’t feel fuzzy, exhausted, or sick. I have so much energy and zest for life.
I feel a boundless sense of well-being and happiness. I crave healthier foods and am more motivated to work out.
I am thinner and healthier than I have been in my entire adult life. Alcohol prevents the absorption of nutrients, leaving us hungry. Alcohol is the first energy source that our bodies have to burn, leaving food calories stored in our waistlines.
I sleep well and deeply. No more waking up at 1 a.m. with a racing heart, wondering what happened the night before. Even one drink reduces our natural REM cycles from six cycles a night to two, leaving us exhausted and our brains undernourished.
I have complete freedom from alcohol. I no longer crave it and I'm no longer preoccupied about where my next drink is nor am I constantly monitoring myself to ensure I moderate. All the internal chatter is gone.
I've saved a ton of money from not buying alcohol, and I have reprogrammed my thinking on appropriate expenses and treating myself. I restricted myself from spending money on things that would bring me joy because it was a frivolous purchase, but I didn't think twice about spending $75 a week on a few bottles of wine.
I have regained my integrity. I show up to be the kind of person I want to be.
Every day I wake up feeling in gratitude that I took care of myself in the most loving way the day before. I respect myself.
Instead of drunken shallow conversations, I feel more connected with my friends and family. I am able to be more authentic, present, honest, and in tune with myself and those around me.
I feel much more productive. I am driven, inspired, and ambitious.
I have outpours of gratitude. I feel blessed to get a second life and am actively building the life of my dreams. I am so lucky. Drinking is monotonous—doing the same thing over and over again won’t ever produce a different outcome.
I'm able to tune into the beauty of the people and the world around me. Drinking would funnel my focus into one activity and take away my sense of appreciation. One drink would also make me cranky and impatient.
I am inspired to try new things and have completely new experiences, including socializing sober.
My self-esteem, pride, and confidence is back. I no longer disrespect myself by letting myself down and drinking more than I intended to. I am so proud of myself for going alcohol-free and feel like I can do much more than the self-limiting beliefs I once had.
If you're questioning your relationship with alcohol, have patience, love and compassion for yourself and shift your focus to what your life could be, if you made the decision to be alcohol-free.
Visit https://www.kimkaycoaching.com/work-with-me to schedule a free 60-minute coaching discovery call.
It all starts with a conversation with you.
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