Breaking the cycle
After a surprisingly transformative alcohol-free month last September, I decided to up the ante in 2025: three months, no alcohol. I was raised in a social environment where family and friends were constantly around, and alcohol was always part of the picture. It’s been deeply ingrained in my family’s culture for as long as I can remember.
I’ve always struggled with my relationship with alcohol; on one hand, I see it as this thing that enhances a celebration or joyous occasion, allowing participants to relax, and on the other, it seems to be something that perpetuates anxieties and insecurities with very little to no health benefits. I wanted to take on this challenge not only to explore my turbulent relationship with alcohol but also to see if it would benefit me physically, mentally and emotionally.
Before I started the three-month challenge, I didn’t necessarily see myself as someone with a “problem.” I’d already worked hard to move away from the kind of overconsumption that defined parts of my early twenties. But alcohol was still a regular part of my life. Weekends, dinners out and birthday celebrations always seemed like a reason to have a drink, and I would rarely say no.
What stood out to me, though, was the disconnect: I eat clean, exercise regularly, and actively work on my sleep quality, yet I kept holding on to this one habit that didn’t add much value.
Fast forward to the start of this month, and I completed the challenge with ease, which, if I’m honest, didn’t surprise me. What did surprise me, though, was how quickly my old habits crept back in. Every weekend since, I’ve found myself slipping into the same drinking patterns I had before, and it’s made me question why that is. It’s clear I still have some work to do.
This isn’t me saying that drinking alcohol is inherently bad—I don’t believe it’s that black and white. I still believe and hold dearly in my heart that it can be part of joyful, social experiences. But what I’ve started to notice is how easily it throws other parts of my life off track. A couple of drinks on a Friday night can lead to a takeaway I didn’t plan for, costing me more money than I budgeted for and interfering with my current health & fitness goals. I’m not demonising anyone for engaging in this behaviour, but where it can become an issue or a mental road block is when this pattern is constantly repeated with little awareness. It’s less about the alcohol itself, and more about the chain reaction it seems to set off—overconsumption of food, slipping routines, and a dip in mental clarity.
Physically, the impact is almost immediate. Even just one drink seems to mess with my sleep—some nights I'll fall asleep quickly, however, it’s never deep or restful or other nights I can’t sleep, likely linked to an earlier alcohol induced nap. I’ll wake up feeling groggy, dehydrated, and slightly anxious, even if I haven’t overdone it. That feeling tends to linger, making it harder to feel motivated the next day. It’s like the mental fog sets the tone for the rest of the weekend, and takes a lot of resilience and discipline for my well-intentioned routine not to go out the window.
Mentally, the shift is subtle but sneaky. Even just a drink or two seems to flip a switch in my brain—the “fuck it” mentality kicks in. Suddenly, standards I usually uphold and care deeply about—eating well, practising daily habits and my general productivity—feel negotiable. Like, fuck it, is this small action going to make much of a difference. It’s not a complete unravelling, but more like I loosen the thread just enough that everything starts to feel a bit off. The most frustrating part is how casually it happens—how easy it is to let those small, grounding habits slip away without even noticing until I’m already out of rhythm. I’m getting better at managing these feelings, so when I reflect on the impact alcohol had on me back 5+ years ago, I’ve come a long way.
What this experience has shown me is how normalised alcohol is, especially in British culture, and how easily we accept the side effects as just part of the deal. It’s so embedded in celebrations, socialising, even stress relief, that questioning its role can feel almost taboo. Stepping back for a few months gave me a glimpse of how different life can feel without it, and how much clearer my mind and body can be when they’re not constantly recalibrating from weekend indulgences.
This isn’t a pledge to never drink again, and I’m not here to tell anyone else what’s right for them. But I do know that I’m more aware now. Not only how alcohol affects me, but how quickly my routines can slip, and how much better I feel when I’m in alignment with my intentions. I think that’s the biggest takeaway: it’s not about perfection, it’s about awareness. And that awareness is something I want to keep carrying forward, drink in hand or not.
Tell me about your own experiences — have you ever taken a break from alcohol? What did you notice about your habits, energy, or mindset? Whether you're sober-curious, a mindful drinker, or somewhere in between, drop a comment or message me — I would love to hear your story.