Over two years ago, I made a decision that would change my life forever—I stopped drinking alcohol.
At the time, I didn’t fully grasp how deeply alcohol had woven itself into my daily routine, my coping mechanisms, and my identity.
What started as a personal transformation quickly became my calling: helping other midlife women break free from grey area drinking and rediscover their true selves.
Like many women in midlife, I had a complicated relationship with alcohol. It wasn’t a dramatic rock-bottom moment, but a slow realisation that I was using alcohol to numb stress, boredom, and the emotional weight of life. One glass of wine after work turned into two, three, four…the bottle. Often, I had a backup in the fridge, just in case.
I told myself it was normal. I was successful, managing my responsibilities, and everyone around me drank the same way. But deep down, I knew something wasn’t right. I woke up feeling sluggish, filled with regret. My energy was low, my confidence even lower, and my sense of purpose felt dulled.
The moment I admitted to myself that alcohol was holding me back, everything changed. I was sick and tired of feeling sick, tired, and like crap.
I dove headfirst into the world of ‘Quit Lit’, absorbing every book and podcast I could find. I started journaling, and I found a coach. For the first time in a long time, I felt hope. With each passing day, my mind became clearer, my confidence grew, and my inner voice—one I had long ignored—became stronger.
Sobriety didn’t just help me remove alcohol from my life—it helped me rediscover who I was without it. I reconnected with my passions, set new goals, and started questioning what I truly wanted.
Change is hard work, but the benefits only multiply as you continue the journey. Sure, I still have bad days—but they’re never as bad as they would have been with alcohol in the equation.
For me, this journey isn’t just about quitting drinking. It’s about rewriting the narrative of what’s possible in midlife. It’s about proving to ourselves that we are strong, capable, and worthy of a life filled with joy, purpose, and authenticity.
And it all started with one decision: to stop drinking and start truly living.
If you have experiences to share that can help people know they’re not alone, please share your story through our Voices of Change program.
