‘Tis the season for hustle and bustle, shopping and parties. It can be a LOT to navigate when we are newly sober or struggling with alcohol. Living alcohol-free is a gift in itself, and it’s a gift with lots of benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the many gifts we give ourselves when we remove alcohol from our lives.
When we stay alcohol-free we get the gift of Time
When we aren’t spending our time thinking about drinking, drinking when we should be doing other things, and recovering from drinking – guess what? We get that time for other things! Maybe “other things” involves your cozy bed and a book, working on your stamp collection, or skiing the black diamonds. The beauty of it is that it’s for YOU to decide.
Staying alcohol-free brings the gift of Saving Money
Money not spent on alcohol is money you can put into the gas tank of your new Lexus.
Oh wait, sorry I must have dozed off for a second there.
Wine, beer and booze is expensive! And if you smoke when you drink, then consider that too. If you haven’t already installed a sober app on your phone, look for one with a savings calculator and prepare to be stunned.
While alcohol-free I get the gift of restraint when shopping for gifts
I have many people in my life who will only do their Christmas and holiday shopping with tumblers full of their favorite poison. How do they not overspend on stupid stuff? Have you ever gone to a shopping mall after a few drinks and come home with some crazy shit? Nevermind the behavior of some fellow shoppers. We don’t need alcohol adding fuel to any of that.
The gift of Remembering to do Important Things
Anyone have an elf in their house? If you do, and you have young kids or grandkids, then you know what a horror it is if that sucker doesn’t move one night! People go all out with the creativity with these guys. I’m more of a minimalist, and am satisfied when I remember to move it. My drinking days were quite different, and the elf was yet another thing to worry about at 3am when I woke up sweating with heart pounding and anxiety pumping.
When Alcohol-free I get the gift of avoiding Company Holiday Party shenanigans
I always struggled with keeping a lid on the amount I drank at my company party. After all, it was FREE wine – the good stuff too. It was SO MUCH WORK! Isn’t it better to not have to think about that? You can be the person who remembers everything and doesn’t make any costly mistakes when the liquored-up Sales Manager tries to catch you under the mistletoe…
Want to just make an appearance and then leave? Do it! Or skip it entirely. When you’re not a prisoner to alcohol, many options open up.
When I’m alcohol-free I get The gift of owning my taste buds
Face it, the winter holidays have much to do with eating and drinking. The drinks DO NOT NEED to be full of poison! Let’s not dull our taste buds with alcohol and instead enjoy all the flavors of the season. The internet is chock full of amazing mocktails, and good ol’ tea is a reliable top performer. My son and I made thumbprint cookies last night and they taste so much better without a side of beer (yuck).
Peppermint Drink For Kids + Adults (awortheyread.com)
And finally the best gift of all that staying alcohol-free gives me is The Gift of being Fully Present
Waking up each morning with a clear head is a gift that never gets old. It doesn’t automatically fix tricky family dynamics or bring back loved ones we’ve lost, but we can give ourselves the space to appreciate what we have, mourn those who are no longer with us, navigate our challenging relationships, face each day with gratitude and make the best of the season.
It is not joy that makes us Grateful it is gratitude that makes us Joyful
WHO ARE WE?
Online Community Support to Stop Drinking – BOOM!
More Reading –
An Alcohol-Free Holiday Season? Yes you Can!
12 Posts for Your Pocket to Help You Celebrate the Holidays Alcohol-Free
OPEN OUR
POCKET GUIDE FOR YOUR JOURNEY from Day 1 to 7 Years alcohol Free
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