Summary

The author describes their transformative journey from a long history of drinking to a fulfilling sober life, detailing the positive changes and newfound passions that emerged after quitting alcohol.

Abstract

The author reflects on their personal journey with alcohol, which began in their teens with crude experiments in drinking and evolved through various stages of life. Despite initial attempts to drink with sophistication, the author struggled with the desire to consume alcohol quickly and in excess, leading to negative consequences. The decision to quit drinking came after retirement, influenced by a desire to engage in new hobbies and a rekindled relationship. The process of quitting was challenging, involving multiple attempts, but ultimately successful through self-help methods and support from recovery programs like SMART Recovery. Since achieving sobriety, the author has experienced significant improvements in health and well-being, allowing them to pursue activities such as hiking, pickleball, and writing. They credit their sober life for the positive changes, expressing gratitude and pride in their achievements and the new relationships formed.

Opinions

The author believes that quitting drinking was a life-changing decision that led to a healthier and more fulfilling life.
They express that their past drinking habits were unrefined and often led to feelings of disappointment and illness.
The author values the newfound time and clarity in retirement, which allowed them to reconnect with their high school sweetheart and pursue long-held interests.
They found traditional Alcoholics Anonymous programs unsuitable for their needs but acknowledge the effectiveness of SMART Recovery and self-directed reading for maintaining sobriety.
The author is proud of their sobriety and the various creative and physical endeavors they have undertaken since quitting alcohol.
They feel a strong sense of gratitude for their sober life and the opportunities it has presented, including writing for various publications and forming meaningful friendships through shared activities like pickleball.

Why Quitting Drinking Was the Best Decision I Ever Made

I had no idea being sober would be life-changing.

My drinking odyssey began at age 15 or so.

My sister, who was a year older, and I would meet our friends on a Saturday night. We would fill an empty mayonnaise jar with various potables stolen from our parent’s liquor cabinet. Gross, straight booze.

We would take turns sipping or slugging and then gagging. Of course, the point was to get wasted.

No, not every Saturday night. Only when there was a party to go to, usually every other month.

We would walk to the festivities, or our parents would drive us, unaware that we were toting a helping of their libation.

What a way to experience alcohol. It was rather disgusting.

When I reached my twenties and gained a bit of “sophistication,” I moved on to cocktails and wine. Still, the point was the same — get tipsy, and have fun.

In my 30’s and beyond, the story was the same. Cocktails were saved for the weekends when meeting friends for dinner or brunch. Wine seemed acceptable a few nights a week.

The problem was — I wasn’t great at sipping. I wanted that drink, and I wanted it quickly and on to another. Why, for heaven’s sake, did my friends drink so slowly?

After a couple of drinks, I slowed down a tad. My friends rarely caught up with me, though.

My appetite for the drink would be whetted after the first Cosmo or glass of wine — and I was off and running. I also didn’t seem to have an off switch.

Retirement

By the time I retired, I had at least 50 years of drinking under my belt. That’s a hell of a lot of booze.

Retirement brought on a new love — my high school sweetheart. We reunited and married.

He loved his cocktails before dinner and wine with the meal. Perfect. A match made in heaven.

Miraculously and surprisingly, this union was my saving grace. I now had the time to create the life I had imagined.

I wanted to paint. I wanted to create collages. And hike, and learn to play pickleball.

I wanted NOT to wake up at 2 a.m. sweating, nauseous, and disappointed in myself yet again that had I overindulged.

I was tired of not feeling well in the morning, often canceling plans with my friend Shannon to hike. Hiking was way too strenuous for a woman with a miserable hangover.

Time to change

It took me two years of attempting to quit to finally make the break from alcohol. I tried and failed a few times, always determined to prevail.

I did not attend Alcoholics Anonymous for assistance, though hundreds of thousands of individuals were rescued by this respected organization.

After several months of sobriety, I did attend a few SMART Recovery meetings that helped strengthen my resolve to stay sober.

I read a library’s worth of books that was my ticket to sobriety. Please see my article These 5 Eye-Opening Books That Changed My Life and Helped Me Sober Up published on Black Bear.

Hallelujah! Prevail, I did. September 13, 2018, was my first sober day.

Every day after that was a new adventure. I was developing my sea legs in an ocean of abstinence.

Cravings — there were plenty. I had to envision how the scene would play out if I gave in to temptation. The resulting image was not pretty. I stayed strong.

I now wake up every morning with a clear head and gratitude in my heart — not only for my sobriety but for another day to celebrate life.

In December of that year, I launched my blog. That was a proud moment as, for several years, I yearned to embark on this creative endeavor.

I began hiking more strenuous trails. I signed up for pickleball lessons and fell in love with the sport.

I’m playing several times a week and am blessed with a fabulous group of women who are as “addicted” to the sport as I am.

I began designing collages honoring my sons. I am so proud of these pieces of art. Another accomplishment that wouldn’t be if I hadn’t quit.

In January 2021, I submitted my first article to Medium. Spending afternoons writing is my new favorite creative outlet.

I know — without a doubt — I wouldn’t be writing today if I were still imbibing. I wouldn’t have started my blog — and that was the impetus that led to Medium, which led to other publications such as Black Bear, AINYF, and others.

I wouldn’t be playing pickleball. The incredible new friends I’ve made would still be strangers.

My life is unrecognizable from the life I led for the previous 50-odd years.

I never imagined that this life and these feelings could be attainable by the complicated yet simple act of abandoning alcohol.

I discovered courage I didn’t realize I had within.

I am thrilled with the life I have created — filled with gratitude, pride, and joy.