Nice! I'm still working on that one.
For me, it was deciding that water is my primary beverage and all others are rare treats or supplements. I only use water to address thirst specifically. If I need electrolytes for some reason, I just use hydration salts. I feel a lot better and it saves a bit of money. The dental hygiene aspect is a plus, too. I file caffeinated drinks under supplements and save them for an emergency boost when I need it.
I agreed to sub for a friend's soccer team despite having not played for a decade or so.
Fast forward a decade: I captain a team, play on two others, have made a boatload of awesome friends and am in better shape than I've ever been (which is a weird thing to say as an almost 40 year old.)
I quit drinking. I wasn't an alcoholic or anything, but I was drinking regularly. Quitting has saved money on my grocery bill, made going out cheaper, made me healthier, and enabled me to remember every fun night with my friends with perfect clarity.
@bluelander @Global_Liberty I’m really motivated to stop drinking but, as a 47 year old, Marine Corps veteran who has been drinking for a LONG time, I can honestly say that the drinking holds back a lot of pains and ailments my body has.
Any tips on how you gave it up or did you just do it cold turkey?
I just did it cold turkey. First few weeks were rough because I had a habit of a beer or three in the evening. Replaced that with zero calorie sodas and/or sparkling waters and after a month or two I didn't miss it at all. I don't even think about it anymore, and honestly it's become kind of a fun game to see the weird reactions from people when I tell them I don't drink. People are perpetually shocked for some reason.
If you're medicating pain with alcohol then it's probably worth talking to a medical professional if you have the means to do so. I'm sure it helps in the moment but it's my understanding that it's not an amazing way to treat that sort of thing long term. Best of luck with it.
Live better, with less
Ideas and inspiration for living more simply. A place to share tips on living with less stuff, work, speed, or stress in return for gaining more freedom, time, self-reliance, and joy.