I did it. For the first time since I started drinking (early college) I took a month off from consuming any alcohol. I didn't love it. I'm glad that my other upcoming goals I'm looking to accomplish involve adding something to my life instead of taking away. Here's the thing: I don't think drinking alcohol is bad. I actually think having a glass of red wine is kinda good for you. But I think over consumption - as with anything - is when issues start. When I was 13 years old (actually, probably on my 13th birthday), my dad died. My parents had divorced several years earlier and, about 6 months before he passed away, he had pretty much completely removed himself from our lives in a downward spiral. He was an alcoholic. For years, he tried to prove that he wasn't - especially after my mom finally insisted upon the divorce (a very, very brave and strong thing that she did and something that I respect her for immensely). But he had a disease and it tore him apart, isolated him and killed him.
I was, obviously, terrified to drink after this - knowing that alcoholism can run in the family. In high school I only tried drinking alcohol a couple times and it wasn't something I really enjoyed. Towards the end of my freshman year of college I realized that I wasn't my dad and participated in typical college culture - complete with parties and gross cheap beer. I would occasionally over indulge - which I saw more as a learning curve as opposed to a problem. And as I grew older my drinking habits adjusted with my lifestyle - and taste buds. Wine and craft beer tasting and actually enjoying what I was drinking replaced keg parties and binge drinking of my early 20's. When I started training and running more competitively I made the decision to limit beer and I'm still content with this choice. But I love wine, and I drank a lot of it while honeymooning (for months). This reset with a dry January was prompted in part because of this carefree consumption over the past 6 months. And there is also the fact that the fear I had when I was 13 has never completely gone away. The fear that alcoholism runs through my bloodline and that my tendencies to over indulge could lead to addiction. While I've never truly felt that this was a problem for me, I wanted to take a step back and ensure that it stayed that way. Because my mindset is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a balance. I want to feel comfortable having a glass of wine after work... or not. Dry January taught me that I can be social without a drink in hand but there are times that it would be nice! I don't think that omitting anything completely is an approach I will often take - but having a month to reflect, cleanse, and grow in my perspective with a sober mind was refreshing. Now, excuse me while I celebrate February 1st with a glass of champagne. It is my birthday month, after all. Another year of living life to the fullest with a healthy mindset is something worth celebrating.
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AuthorA Midwest girl gone global. I choose happiness everyday: I run, eat well, travel, and love completely. Archives
March 2022
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