One Year Alcohol-Free: Cheers to Change (and Confusing My Friends)

A whole year. 365 days. 52 weeks. However you slice it, today marks one year since I made the decision to give up alcohol - and I feel like raising a glass of sparkling water to celebrate.

If you’d told me a year ago I’d voluntarily swear off drinking, I’d have laughed - probably while clutching a generous glass of red. I mean, I’m British. Social drinking is practically woven into our DNA, alongside tea, biscuits, and self-deprecating humour. Then there’s the fact I spend my winters in France, married to an Italian. Let’s just say “wine-free” wasn’t exactly a label anyone expected me to adopt.

But here I am, one year on, and I couldn’t be prouder of the choice I made.

The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything

This wasn’t a dramatic decision or a moment of desperation. It was a mindset shift - one that started with a powerful nudge from Andy Ramage’s concept of the “middle-line drinker.” You know, the person who doesn’t have a drinking problem, but drinks just enough to feel the subtle, creeping impacts: grogginess, brain fog, and that gnawing sense of ugh after one too many “just one more” moments.

For years, I tried to moderate. I’d resolve to stick to one or two glasses. I rarely did. And then came the day. Too much wine, too little food, and a morning-after filled with regret and self-loathing. That was my tipping point. It wasn’t about restriction - it was about freedom. I wanted my energy back. My clarity. My ability to seize the day without a lingering headache.

The Rewards of Sobriety

Fast forward to today, and the benefits have far outweighed the challenges. Let’s address the obvious first: no, I didn’t magically lose two stone (is that just a myth?). But I’ve gained so much more.

• Clarity: Waking up without that fuzzy “what did I say last night?” feeling? Priceless.

• Confidence: It turns out, I didn’t need wine to be social or bold. I just needed to learn how to back myself, sober.

• Money saved: More shoes, fewer regrets. Enough said.

• Authenticity: No more hiding behind a glass of something to feel comfortable.

Social Life Without a Drink

Was it smooth sailing from the start? Of course not. Saying “no, thank you” to wine in France or Italy is like saying “no” to tea in Britain - it simply isn’t done. The questions came thick and fast: Are you pregnant? Are you sick? Oh, come on, just one won’t hurt!

But with time, people adjusted (and so did I). Eventually, the shocked faces turned into quiet acceptance, and I found strength in sticking to my decision. Even on my birthday, when I tried a single celebratory sip of prosecco, it felt… unnecessary. That moment was a revelation: I wasn’t drinking for joy; I was drinking out of habit.

A Celebration of Mindset

At its core, this journey has been about far more than alcohol. It’s been about taking ownership of my choices and reshaping my mindset. Letting go of wine was just one piece of the puzzle. It showed me that true confidence doesn’t come from a bottle - it comes from within.

So today, as I celebrate this milestone, I want to raise a toast (of sparkling water, naturally) to the clarity, confidence, and joy that come from stepping into your power. If you’re considering a change - whether it’s alcohol, a limiting belief, or anything else holding you back - my advice is simple: don’t focus on what you’re losing. Focus on what you’ll gain.

Cheers to change, growth, and the incredible things that happen when you decide to put yourself first.