Charlie ~ 235 days
“If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be writing this, I wouldn’t have believed you. For almost six years I tried ~ and failed to get sober. I’d wake up after another night of drinking, full of guilt and promises to myself that “this time would be different.” Sometimes I made it a few days, sometimes weeks and even months, but I’d always find myself back at square one.
What I didn’t realise back then is that ditching the drink isn’t about getting it perfect on the first try. Every single attempt taught me something. Every “failure” showed me where I needed to grow. And every restart got me closer to the life I really wanted ~ even when it didn’t feel like it.
At the start of 2025, I decided to give Dry January one more go. Something inside me clicked differently this time. Instead of thinking of it as punishment or deprivation, I saw it as an experiment, a chance to discover who I really was without alcohol. By the end of January, I knew I didn’t want to go back.
And truthfully? Life without alcohol has been better than I could have imagined. It’s not just about the absence of hangovers (though waking up fresh on a Sunday morning will never get old!). It’s about the presence of so much more.
Energy ~ I no longer waste days in bed or slog through work with a foggy head. I feel alive, clear and present.
Confidence ~ I thought alcohol gave me confidence, but really it stole it. I’ve grown into someone who trusts herself and shows up authentically.
Relationships ~ I’m more patient, more fun and more reliable. My kids get the best version of me every single day.
Joy ~ From little beach walks to big celebrations, everything feels richer and more meaningful now.
Most of all, I’ve found peace. That constant chatter in my head, the negotiating, the rules, the shame, have all gone. I don’t spend my days waiting for “wine o’clock.” I spend them actually living.
If you’re in the place I was ~ trying again and again, wondering why it never sticks - please don’t give up. It took me nearly six years to get here. I now realise every single attempt mattered. One day, it all came together. And it can for you too.
Sobriety isn’t about what you lose, it’s about everything you gain. Freedom, happiness, energy, connection, clarity. A life you don’t want to escape from.
I’m so proud to finally say: in 2025, I broke free. And I’ve never looked back!”
