I’ve wondered how to talk about this, my new fascination, sober curiosity. It is such a taboo subject, don’t you think? Our social norms revolve around alcohol. It’s your birthday – let me buy you a drink, I was with the kid’s all day – mommy needs a glass of wine, 4th of July – PBR me, Christmas – Santa Pub Crawl, St. Patrick’s Day – hand me a Guiness, or it’s Friday – find me a happy hour! Pretty soon, you realize the only days you are not drinking is Monday through Thursday (if Taco Tuesday isn’t happening).
Now before I go too far, DON’T get me wrong. I am not condemning drinking or going on a pub crawl or even Taco Tuesday. Go have fun and enjoy it. I am just raising the question “Why” we drink and do we need to drink to socialize? This is not a new concept or question. The sober curious movement started with a book by Ruby Warrington. She was on her own journey of questioning alcohol and decided to write about it. She is now on her second book called the Sober Curious Reset and has a podcast.
The funny thing was I found Ruby Warrington’s book in my late thirties, as health became a huge priority for me. I wanted to live a long and active life. I was overweight and did not feel healthy AT ALL. Cutting out alcohol seamed like an easy way to help with weight loss but it wasn’t easy. As I pointed out earlier – my social life revolved around alcohol and people don’t like drinking alone.
Have you ever been asked “why are you not drinking?” “just have one?” or maybe even been uninvited to an event because you were sober? I have and to be honest I have also been guilty of it. It is our own insecurities that cause us to shame others. Toasting a cocktail with a mocktail is as cool as a regular toast. If someone wants to hang out and cheers your day, your promotion, or just that it is Saturday – let’s normalize letting people toast in whatever way makes them happy.
It took me about a year to really gain courage in social events. There was a beautiful point in time when it went from “This is HARD” to actually enjoying myself. Now, I gleefully announce I am sober and recommend my N/A beverage choice …What even HAPPENED to me? I ask this awe. I never, in a million years, thought I would be strong enough to take this journey or actually enjoy it – But I do.
So, without further ado, here are the reasons why I love the Sober Curious Movement:
- It embraces you wherever you are. Doing Sober October, you rock! Only drinking a few times, a year, fist bump! Taking up sobriety full time, are you, my superhero?!
- It reduces your risk of Cancer: Alcohol is a Group One Carcinogen: For those of you who don’t know, a carcinogen is defined as “a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue” by Oxford languages. The CDC says on their website alcohol raises your risk of getting certain cancers, such as: breast, esophagus, liver, colon, etc. The more you drink alcohol, the higher your risk becomes.
- It helps with Mental Health: Alcohol is a depressant, so it messes with the chemicals in our brain.
- You get better skin: Alcohol is a diuretic and overtime can seriously cause you to look older. Buyer be aware.
- You don’t have a hangover. How many of you have woken up feeling not your best after a night out? In those moments I feel like I am wasting my day due to over indulging ……and yes, yes I am.
- You get better sleep: Alcohol can help you get to sleep but it affects the quality by blocking your REM sleep. It can cause you to feel tired and have a hard time focusing when you wake up.
- You are not alone: You might be surprised, several celebrities have embraced this lifestyle (all for very different reasons):
- Jennifer Lopez gave up alcohol for better skin
- Blake Lively never had the desire
- Dax Shepard had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
- Lucy Hale just wanted to be a healthier better version of herself.
- Zendaya doesn’t want it become a vice.
- Megan Fox had an incident and decided to give up alcohol.
- Zac Efron has dealt with substance abuse issues in the past.
- Sarah Silverman gave it up for her mental health.
- Gillian Jacobs never wanted to drink.
- Natalie Portman said she tried sober January and kept going.
- Kristen Davis had previous issues with substance abuse but has been sober for more than 30 years.
- Joe Manganiello struggled with alcoholism and finally got sober
- Kelly Ripa did a sober month and just never went back.
- Brad Pitt had a history of substance abuse and decided to remove it from his life.
Now whatever you choose as far as alcohol, IT IS YOUR CHOICE. I still indulge on occasion, and I do not think there is anything wrong with that. Everyone is different and so are their bodies. Just like food allergies or physical/mental health issues …giving up alcohol doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you as a human being. Let’s get rid of stigma’s and normalize what works for us on an individual scale. Live boldly and break those stereo types! Be the person that anyone feels free to be themselves around.
fitgirlglow.com 