Sober Snacks #13

Bite size tips & stories to help you not drink today. For the sober and sober curious looking for digestible, on-the-go sober-positive content. These are the stories and lifestyle tips of people who don’t drink. Enjoy :)

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When asked “what can I get you to drink?”, you say:

“Oooooh! Sparkling water with a wedge of lime!”

What is the book (or books) you’ve given most as a gift, and why? Or what are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

I read The Unexpected Joy by Cath Gray when I was in the early stages of sobriety and it really helped me through the tough stages. This book was great at shifting my mindset and was super humbling knowing that I wasn't alone in how I was feeling.

Another book that has helped to change my outlook is The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. It really is beautiful to dedicate time to yourself first thing in the morning. I still carry aspects of that book with me now, two years after reading it, and often refer back to it.

Within your sobriety, what is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made? (Could be an investment of money, time, energy, etc.)

The best investment in my sobriety would be my personal trainer. I always had the urge to get my butt in the gym but while I was drinking it would have been a waste of time. I’d be motivated for a couple of days, then I’d mess it up by having a drink. I never had time to train because my time was always taken up by either drinking or being hungover!

Once sober it was the perfect time to pick up a new hobby that benefits my physical and mental health. The sober life brings heaps of time on your hands too so it's great to keep yourself busy to put a stop to those pesky cravings.

The gym is my new addiction. What better feeling than waking up hangover free on Saturday morning and being excited to train!?

Another great investment for me was buying and reading lots of quit-lit. I find that if I constantly fill my head with sober stories then I feel that it validates why I chose sobriety.
Another investment would have been having lots of AF drinks in the house. I understand that some people feel triggered by AF beers or spirits but for me, they really worked. In early sobriety, I made a point of having an AF beer during times when I would normally drink (when cooking dinner, or out with drinking friends).

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love and only discovered after you got into sobriety?

I absolutely love waking up early before anyone else and enjoying the morning sky and breeze. Old me would snigger at this comment but it’s so true. I remember the times when I used to be going to bed when the sun was coming up. I could never truly enjoy the morning. It’s so refreshing to be able to appreciate this small little aspect of my day.

Which area has changed the most, and for the better, in sobriety: health, wealth, relationships, or spirituality?

My physical and mental health has massively improved. Now that I prioritize my health I’ve noticed positive changes to my skin, heart health, stamina, mood, and general outlook on life.

I also have positive changes in my relationships. I no longer let people down and I feel I am present in my friendships.

It’s true that I may have lost a couple of friends along the way but I feel that this is for a good reason. However much I love them, I think that some people belong in my past. We no longer prioritize the same things and that's okay. We are on different paths and at different stages of our lives.

When someone asks you, “why don’t you drink,” what do you say?

It depends on who is asking and I like to change my response depending on how I am feeling. Some responses are:

“I don't like how it makes me feel.”

”Alcohol no longer serves a purpose in my life.”

“I am better without it.”

I have always been tempted to reply with some absurd responses to make the person feel as uncomfortable as they made me but I often feel panicked when I’m asked why I don't drink. Haha!