10 Things I Discovered From Not Drinking For A Year

On September 30th of last year I had just wrapped up a shoot and we all went out to celebrate. Now in college I was a DRINKER , but over the years I had definitely slowed down. But you know, I liked to have a little Dranky Drank when I go out so nothing harmless. I had been flirting with the idea of not drinking for awhile but I just hadn’t committed to it just yet.

We all went out after this shoot and got some drinks at the bar. I didn’t even have much but I felt myself getting too tipsy way to fast. The night went on and a couple of shots and 1 or 2 drinks later I head back to the hotel. When I tell you the next morning, I woke up with THE most trash ass hangover and my head was pounding. WTF did I drink? I went to grab breakfast and couldn’t even really eat.

I came back to the hotel room laid down, opened my laptop and almost as if GOD was speaking right to me, there was a video on the YouTube homepage that read “Why I stopped drinking.” I ended up watching that whole thin and quitting cold turkey that day on October 1st, 2022.

One year later I just wanted to share a few things that I learned while on the journey. This Isn’t to convince anyone to do the same but just to share my experience and hopefully you get some insights from the things that I have learned over the last year. Surprisingly for me, this journey was easier than I thought and who knows how long it will go for but I just know I feel the best I have felt in a long time.

1. Mindful Socializing: Living in the moment deepened my appreciation for social interactions, without needing a drink in hand. I felt as if the moments lasted longer and i was living in the now.

2. Peak Health: Without alcohol, my body thrived, my overall health skyrocketed. I could feel the differences in my workouts for sure.

3. Authentic Conversations: Not drinking brought clarity, making every conversation genuine and deeply meaningful. Especially out at dinners with friends or business meet ups.

4. Restorative Sleep: Sober nights led to rejuvenating mornings, redefining the essence of a good night's sleep for me. Even though i was already a morning person, this just added an extra boost.

5. Discovering Willpower: My year without alcohol unveiled an untapped reservoir of personal strength and resilience. I knew i had it in me, but i really got that DOG in me. Confidence was on a whole other level, because i realized i can fight temptation. A discipline man, is a warrior.

6. Reevaluating Relationships: Not drinking filtered out fleeting friendships, spotlighting the true bonds that mattered for me. If you just wanted to hang at a bar, then the bar was too low for me. I wanted to introduce activities that would be healthier and different.

7. Pockets Felt Heavier: Ditching the drink significantly padded my wallet, emphasizing the cost of casual drinking. Them Drinks add up. Wake up like “I spent how much?!”

8. Emotional Maturity: Facing emotions head-on, without alcohol, fortified my emotional intelligence and resilience. You can’t shy away from your insecurities forever. When you meet them head on its worth it in the end.

9. Elevated Energy: The Joy for life I discovered while not drinking surpassed any temporary buzz from a drink. I’m Slowly learning to be buzzed from my inner spirit and not anything external.

10. Comfort in Discomfort: Embracing unfamiliar settings without alcohol honed my adaptability and confidence. I learned to move through rooms even when i’m uncomfortable and it was usually a great outcome when i did.

I want to express my gratitude for this journey. From a tipsy night to a year of clarity, it's been a transformative experience that I'll forever cherish. Whether or not you're on a similar path, remember that life has a beautiful way of teaching us and guiding us to our best selves. So here's to discovery, growth, and being open to life's serendipitous nudges.

-Rome