7 benefits of living a life that doesn’t involve intoxication as a crutch.
What if the inspiration to give up, let go of, discontinue until further notice, becoming intoxicated at any level WAS A BYPRODUCT of a firm decision to treat yourself very well? To become your own biggest fan, to love yourself unconditionally, to accept all the parts of yourself and to do it completely. A decision to finally accept yourself just as you are and be grateful for all the health that you have. What if this decision, combined with your resolve to evolve directed you to a fork in the road? (And it will, there will be many forks along this road). Do you know what you are living for and are passionate enough and care about it enough to leave the old you behind? Part of the motivation that inspired me to leave the chapter of my life that involved social drinking was deciding what I wanted, setting my intention and going for it. I would not have the motivation to keep up this life if I wasn’t believing there is something better ahead for me- this philosophy could probably work for anyone. Last week I wrote about why and how I stay clear headed and alert and what gives me the motivation and discipline to continue to do it. I want to make something clear- I am just like anyone else here. I am 28 years old, I’ve had my fun. I lived in Breckenridge, CO for 2 seasons, I worked as a bartender.. I’ve had lots of “fun” ok…. Now I’m choosing to have fun that feels good at the time and feels good later when I look back on it.
I believe it is human nature to desire growth and change in our lives. We want to grow as people in our relationships, careers, responsibilities, etc right? I also would say that the calling to move forward, onto bigger and better things occurs differently for everyone. This is just my story and perhaps it will inspire you and you can take something away from it?
Have you ever said to yourself, the morning after a crazy night- “I’m never drinking again” I’m sure we all have! And then within a day or two another drink presents itself and you find yourself indulging again. Sure, I mean when I worked in the restuarant business, you get a drink at the end of your shift- work 5 days a week and you are drinking some alcohol regularly. No big deal! or is it? What if we took a look at the things that are going on in the world around us and then asked ourselves if alcohol is a complete distraction- preventing young people from being engaged in actually making a difference in the world around them?
What if we considered the victim mentality in our society, kids living off their parents into their 30s, getting into debt, expecting doctors to heal them instead of believing in their capability of healing themselves, amount of people on psychotropic medications, amount of mistakes, amount of d-r-a-m-a and gossip.. oh how the list goes on. I mean, let’s ask ourselves- does it really make me feel good when I’m hanging out with people I hardly know and trusting that they have my best interest in mind? When sometimes the only thing we have in common is the brand of beer we like to drink. I know that’s a little extreme, but how many times have you written off something you’ve done while intoxicated because you were wasted? Reality Check: Sometimes the things that you are dismissing are actually incredible embarrassing and shameful really. How do I know this? I’ve been there. I’ve been there and I’m grateful to say to you now that I’m not going back there again.
If I was choosing not to get intoxicated and at the same time continuing to live the same life, with the same people and purpose that I had been before- The likelihood that I would be tempted to get back into that lifestyle would be greatly increased in my opinion. So what do I have in my new life?!! It is so rewarding and feels so wonderful- I hope you enjoy reading about it as much as I enjoy sharing it with you. I also intend that you feel that we are not so different and that if you want some of this in your life that I am here as a resource for you. I didn’t realize the connection before but the feeling of authenticity and being true to myself is so present in my life now it makes my decision worth it daily.
Here it is: 7 benefits of living a life that doesn’t involve intoxication as a crutch.
1. Transparency. I don’t have anything to hide- I say to you, examine me! I will win a staring contest. Look at me, look into me- deep down to the essence of my soul and you will see purity, good intentions and love. (do you feel this way after a heavy night of drinking? YEAH RIGHT!!)
2. Consistency. It is much easier to make regular, repeated progress towards my goals when I wake up each day feeling relatively the same as I did the day before. I wake up around the same time and go to sleep around the same time too. This also supports regular exercise in my life too which is great!
3. Saving $$. Alcohol is expensive! What could you buy if you put more value on spending time at home on the weekends instead of going to bar and giving them some huge chunk of your paycheck? I wonder who that money is really going to, who owns the liquor companies- do you think they have our best interest in mind?
4. Integrity. Oh yes! This is one of my favorites- put this is your affirmation jar and see what happens in your life. You will find yourself making shifts that you have possibly never considered. At least that’s what happened to me. As I like to say “Living in integrity is not a part time job”
5. Feeling great everyday. I love waking up in the morning and being able to jump right into my purpose and passion. Connecting with people about their goals and dreams and sharing some ways I have learned to reach them! Each day is a gift brothers and sisters. Let’s celebrate and feel GOOD!
6. Easier to have a grasp on the reality of my relationships. I can’t tell you how many times I have asked for friendships that are about more than doing a sport together or drinking together. I finally feel as if I have made true friendships that are aligned with who I really am. I can just be myself and my friends love me for it. For a girl who had struggled with self-esteem and confidence issues for many years, this feels so wonderful.
7. Trust. In The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz, he says “be impeccable with your word” He goes on to say that when you trust yourself other people will trust you as well. If you are getting silly and out of your head and making commitments to do things in this state of mind… imagine the effects of that behavior on your relationship with yourself and other people as well. It’s a much more peaceful feeling to just stay in a place of clear-headedness (That’s a nice term isn’t it) and keep that trust in yourself.

You can do this!
I look at photos online and see people acting like getting drunk is epic. It’s not. In your head.
Let’s go! Let’s love our earth and listen to that voice within us encouraging us to be something more! Let’s grow up- that doesn’t mean growing old.. it just means being an adult and caring for others instead of a self-serving life. There’s a bunch of hooligans running around the streets and really, we need you on the good front. Please!