A Sober Year

I am so close, I feel like I can write this now without jinxing myself. On November 9, 2013 I celebrated my fifty-seventh birthday. I drank wine with dinner and more wine at my favorite wine bar. Then I stopped drinking. My goal of having a sober year will come to fruition in just a few days. I had many reasons for doing this, but I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be. I never thought about what I would learn from a sober year. These are some of the lessons:

• I’m not an alcoholic. I do not have a physical dependency on alcohol.
• It is a habit. One that can be broken or replaced.
• I will drink after my year of sobriety is over. I will drink differently than I did before. I will not drink alone. I will not reward myself with alcohol or use it as an emotional crutch.
• The second bottle is never a good idea. I can drink one glass of wine or one mixed drink. (Learning this lesson will be ongoing once I drink again.)
• Everyone else drinks too much. It is amazing to me how much my friends and family drink when I’m not drinking with them. I know, I know – I drank as much, if not more, but seeing it from a sober perspective is eye-opening. I need to remember this lesson.
• Drunk is not pretty.
• I remember things when I’m not drinking. I want to remember things.
• There are lots of hours in the evening in which to do stuff. Who knew one could be so productive without happy hour?
• I can survive family reunions, sorority reunions, parties, vacations, etc. without alcohol.
• I do not need to drink in order to be fun, interesting, outgoing, or fabulous.
• I have saved quite a bit of money.
• Everyone loves a designated driver.
• I DID NOT lose any weight when I quit drinking. As far as I’m concerned that is a myth made up by skinny, sanctimonious people who secretly hate alcohol.
• I am sure I am healthier for not drinking. They even came out with a statement that drinking red wine isn’t as good for you as they once touted. Bummer.
• I think I look better. My skin seems clearer, my eyes brighter.
• I do miss it. I love the smell of red wine. I love the relaxing feeling that sipping on an alcoholic beverage brings on.
• Drinking is not indicative of a glamorous lifestyle.
• It’s easier to get out of bed in the mornings.
• I no longer have to wonder if my sinus headaches are hangovers.
• I really do enjoy club soda with lime and it still looks like I’m having an adult beverage.
• A sober year allowed me to get to know myself – the real me.
• A sober year allowed me to face my new reality. I’ve had big life changes in the past five years and I am learning to live and love my new life.
• Wow, my husband must really love me! He loves the party girl he married (and scraped off of the floor many times); he loves the sober woman I’m learning to be.
• A sober year is great fodder for a book. Look for 57, A Memoir coming soon.