Chapter 1: Preparing for My First Trip Sober

Next month, I’m excited to travel to Europe with my 13-year-old child. Our journey begins in Italy, and I can’t wait to indulge in the local cuisine. However, I remember a time when I could never envision enjoying a pizza without a glass of wine by my side. The thought feels as strange as waking up without coffee or imagining a piano without keys.

Understanding that this trip may present significant challenges, I realize it’s essential to solidify my commitment to sobriety beforehand. I want to avoid the mindset of thinking, “I’m on vacation; one drink won’t hurt.”

To maintain my sobriety, I’ve learned it’s crucial to steer clear of potential triggers. Admittedly, I haven’t engaged in much socializing over the past few months. While it might seem counterproductive to pause my social life, I view it as a necessary act of self-care.

Although it would be nice to go out as I used to and just order non-alcoholic drinks, I know that would be quite difficult. I’ve transformed, and that past self no longer defines me. There are countless ways to enjoy life and connect with friends that don’t involve alcohol.

Alcohol was once a dominant force in my life, woven into nearly every experience. To avoid the constant struggle, I recognized the need for significant lifestyle changes. I aspire to live differently, free from the fight against alcohol.

I initiated my sobriety journey by altering my evening routine. For the first couple of months, I kept my hands busy with jigsaw puzzles while watching television, which proved to be effective.

To further protect myself, I stayed away from the alcohol section in grocery stores to avoid triggering nostalgic memories that might lead me to rationalize a drink with the “you only live once” excuse.

It's impossible to completely evade alcohol, though; it’s everywhere, and seeing others with drinks can evoke feelings of shame. I sometimes question my ability to moderate my drinking and wonder if I might be an alcoholic.

However, these thoughts are merely semantics. Alcohol addiction exists on a spectrum, and everyone who drinks falls somewhere on that continuum, regardless of how infrequently they indulge. It’s unproductive to berate myself; instead, I should take pride in my journey—defying societal norms isn’t easy.

Now, when I encounter alcoholic beverages, I consciously remind myself of the worst hangovers I’ve experienced—the nausea, the intense headaches, and the overwhelming anxiety. I visualize the act of drinking as consuming poison, imagining it spreading through my body and harming every cell. This may seem dramatic, but alcohol is indeed toxic, and its taste is often unpleasant.

It’s much easier to refuse something when the mere thought of it makes you feel sick.

Back in July, I filled out my personal goals on the IamSober app, which I revisit frequently. My goals are straightforward but effective:

• I want to live fully.
• I want to prioritize my health.
• I want to sleep better and enhance my productivity.
• I want to stop squandering my money and time.
• I want to be my authentic self.
• I identify as a non-drinker.

The last point is crucial. If you see yourself as a non-drinker, your decisions will reflect that belief.

As I prepare to dine in Italy, I plan to order a pizza accompanied by water, fruit juice, or coffee. I won’t sit there longing for an alcoholic drink to help me relax because that’s not who I am anymore. Instead, I’ll savor every flavor, sound, and moment, confident that I will remember it all and wake up refreshed and eager for new adventures.

I anticipate this trip to be the best experience yet.

In this video, I share how I've maintained my sobriety for 8 months and the lessons learned along the way.

Chapter 2: Reflections on Sobriety

Discover my journey of quitting drinking for 90 days and the transformative effects it had on my life.