The BENEFITS of Sobriety
Do you find yourself back and forth on the sobriety decision? Afraid to truly commit to an AF life because you’re afraid of losing friends, boredom, having no fun, etc. I was afraid too and it turns out for no reason. Let’s talk about the BENEFITS of sobriety.
Since breaking up with my boyfriend, Marc West, I've noticed tons of benefits. Many of them I'm only noticing now.
There are the obvious brain + body benefits, which happen right away. Then there are the more subtle benefits…the creepers. The ones that slowly build and grow as you settle into this new way of living.
An obvious and important benefit is being a safe person for my children. I know you're “supposed to” quit drinking for yourself but my children were the #1 catalyst for me.
Just this past weekend my 13-year-old let me know he was glad I wasn't drinking on our little trip away together. When I asked him about it he told me it was scary when I drank and acted funny. Sometimes he wondered if I was drunk but was afraid to ask me because “you're not supposed to ask grown-ups if they're drunk.” Oof.
This hurt my heart to hear, but I’m so grateful that he knows I'm a SAFE PARENT. It gives him comfort that I'm sober and ready to rock + roll any time he needs me. My behavior might still embarrass him, but it never scares him.
One of those creeper benefits I mentioned is the ability to recognize growth after a period of discomfort. It’s a benefit that’s becoming clearer to me now.
Quitting drinking is uncomfortable. Going against the cultural norm, questioning your decision, and dealing with other people's questions about it is uncomfortable. And it doesn't kill you. AND you eventually get to a place where it makes you feel like a badass.
Now that I understand the equation of discomfort + sitting with it = growth I'm hooked on actively seeking discomfort to produce growth. The equation can be applied to all areas of life.
Cold plunging ✅ Sharing uncomfortable stories with you ✅ Exercise ✅ Holding boundaries ✅ Taking leaps in business (stay tuned) ✅ You get the picture…
The ability to ride the waves of discomfort without numbing (or running) and recognize growth, strength, and confidence as a result is a HUGE benefit of sobriety.
Not giving an F is a glorious benefit of sobriety. Eventually, with time, when you're AF you begin to give less F's about other people's opinions. The freedom from OPOs is only matched by the feeling of freedom from alcohol.
Doing “the work” of sobriety puts you on a path of living in alignment with your values as best you can, which builds quiet confidence. When you're busy keeping your side of the street clean you're less interested in what the other side looks like.
And not to leave out the obvious benefits:
Improved liver function - lower risk of cardiovascular disease - reduced risk of cancer - weight loss - healthier skin - better sleep - less frequent sickness - better concentration - improved mental health - hormonal balance - decreased inflammation - better digestion - lower blood sugar - healthier relationships
What benefits are you hoping for with an AF lifestyle? If you’re already there, what’s your favorite benefit? Comment below.
