So, I recently gave up alcohol... after 22 years of drinking. It was a shock to some of my friends. “Why aren’t you drinking?!” “Are you pregnant?” (No.) “Oh, one won't hurt!” Why did I give up?
Well... I gave up because I’ve spent thousands of dollars on alcohol over the years. I gave up because having a drink makes me feel depressed rather than joyful now (and don’t get me started on the hangovers… :) I gave up because I only was only drinking when I needed confidence, to de-stress, or to fit in with other people - and I’m now ready to face those issues rather than hide from them. But none of that really matters. The point is, I gave up alcohol for me. Because it felt right. Because it's the right time. Because I feel clearer, and because it is a major milestone for me. Don’t get me wrong – I was never an alcoholic. But I’ve had my moments with alcohol… (Getting so drunk I forgot where I lived… throwing up on street corners… taking alcohol from my parents’ liquor cabinet as a young teen...) I’m not proud of these actions. But I'm being honest with you. And now… time to stop. And I feel great about it! Now I’m not judging anyone who drinks. (See comment above about me throwing up on the street...) This isn’t really about alcohol, anyway. It isn’t an anti-alcohol rant. It’s more to get you thinking about what’s right for you. It’s about going with what you know inside to be true. See, I know inside that it is time for me to give up alcohol (at least for now. Who can say where the future will take me.) I know it's part of my journey, and it’s important for my growth. It feels like the right time. But this is what I’m learning: It’s so easy to do what everyone else says you should. It’s so easy to go along with the crowd and hush the doubts in your head. And this is understandable. But there sometimes comes a point where you have to say: “Enough is enough. I’m doing this for myself now.” So this is my question to you: What do you need to do for yourself? What are you doing to please other people? What are you doing because everyone around you does it? Whether it’s:
You. Can. Change. It. You have the power to change it. (In fact, you're the only person who has the power to change it!) So here’s something to mull over this week. Sometimes we do what other people are doing when we know it’s not right for us. What are you doing that deep down you want to change? And how can you take small steps to make that happen? Let me know below in the comments. And let’s raise a glass to big life changes! ;)
4 Comments
Good for you for giving up alcohol if for no other reason than it's EXPENSIVE. I agree that you have to spend your energy (and money!) on what's right for you.
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Thanks Priscilla! And that's great - I love it! YES to spending time on projects you care about... Better for you, AND for the projects you're working on. Good for you :) I love the idea of moving to a "no thanks" rather than a robotic yes. And I wish you well on your projects!
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Nicolas
6/18/2017 06:38:11 am
Great post! We are not often told how powerful we can be to effect change in our lives, particularly when it comes to insidious routines/habits.
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Thanks Nicolas! Yes indeed - we are so much more powerful than we realize. And good for you - who we hang out with (and how often) makes a HUGE difference! That can be one of the hardest things to tackle, but ultimately one of the most life-changing things we can do for ourselves. And I quite agree with the idea of respecting others while finding space for yourself - love it :) Thanks for reading!
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