The arrival of January marks a fresh new year – a chance to set new goals and expectations. We hear the usual resolutions, our friends and family vowing to go to the gym three times a week or eat less sugar. Many also sign up for Dry January, and I wholeheartedly support this. The benefits of giving up alcohol for a month are often enough to spur people on to stay sober for longer, always a good thing!
If you’ve already set goals for 2022, I wish you every success. If the latest research is anything to go by, it appears that you might need the extra encouragement. According to the Economic Times, only 16% of people seem to stick to their resolutions. Most are abandoned within the first six weeks, January is always a busy month for gyms, February and March less so.
In my humble opinion, there is an easier way to help you rediscover your mojo and improve all areas of your life.
What if I said you could begin to create hopes, dreams, and goals without setting endless resolutions year after year.
The secret is to stop drinking.
A Sober Life And Sober Mind Give You The Strongest Foundations For Achieving Your Goals
The truth is, achieving the life of your dreams, creating success, and being the best version of yourself is much easier without alcohol. But, unfortunately, too many people still associate a life without alcohol as uninspiring.
Alcohol doesn’t improve life. If anything, it’s guilty of hitting the mute button. Silencing genuine emotion and masking your authentic self.
On the 2nd January 2022, I celebrated my 8th sober anniversary.
When I set out on this journey I had no idea what was ahead of me.
Today, one of my favorite mantras is “Trusting The Unfolding”.
Being sober has changed my life for the better in so many ways. I no longer have to hide away from being my true self. Over the years, I discovered my true purpose and passion. I love my vocation, dedicating my time to helping others move away from alcohol and find their inner calling and purpose.
In reality, sobriety is far from dull and boring. I’m lucky to have worked with some of the most inspiring and vivacious people I know—sober, high-spirited people, full of zest for life. When I left Thailand 6 years ago, I had no idea mindful drinking would become “a thing”. I was fortunate to meet Sober Fish at a Club Soda Mindful Drinking Event. She went on to set up her own private FB membership group where we co-facilitate sober challenges.
Sobriety will continue to open up possibilities as your own self belief and confidence grows.
Turning away from alcohol opens up the door to a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment. Those hopes, dreams, and goals you want to achieve? Choosing sobriety is the fast-track way to success.
But Jojo, how do you know?
I know because I’ve experienced it first hand. I changed my life, from one where I hid my inner feelings and unhappiness to now where I live my true purpose. And as a transformational coach, I’ve also had the joy of watching my clients share the same realisations.
“I can no longer pretend that alcohol is a reward, a cure, or an escape. It does nothing. It adds nothing. It’s a destroyer of health, dreams and life. Whatever benefit it purports to provide is an illusion”.
Rebecca Z
Whether You Want To Change Your Career, Relationships, Or Lifestyle, A Sober Life Will Help You Make The Right Choices
Getting sober isn’t just about giving up alcohol. Yes, that’s the most challenging part at the start. But as you step away from the detrimental effects alcohol has on your body and mind, you’ll start to understand your true potential in every aspect of your life.
Learning to step out of your comfort zone is empowering. If you can enjoy a sober life while the majority of society remains blinkered to the harmful effects of alcohol, you’ll realise you can do anything!
As you read through this blog, you’ll discover the life-changing experiences getting sober has had for my friends and clients. Whatever your goals in life, living a sober lifestyle will give you a headstart.
Live A Healthier Lifestyle
If your goal is to lose weight or live a healthier lifestyle, giving up alcohol will definitely help you get there quicker. Alcohol is made from natural sugar and starch and contains seven calories per gram.
What does that mean in real terms?
The NHS website highlights the following drinks and calorie contents:
- A standard glass of wine 133 calories
- A pint of 5% beer 239 calories
- A bottle of alcopop 172 calories
Add sugary mixers to your favourite spirit, and most drinks become the equivalent of eating a Mars Bar (230 calories). Would you really choose to eat 5 Mars Bars in one night? I doubt it. Yet by drinking, you end up consuming the same amount of calories, possibly even more.
Similarly, large amounts of alcohol prevent your body from burning fat properly. Your body much prefers to metabolize the acetate, a by-product of alcohol, so the fat ends up stored around the tummy and hips.
Give up alcohol, and you stand a much higher chance of changing your health for the better in the following ways:
- You’ll consume fewer empty calories
- Sleep will improve, giving you more energy to exercise
- No hangovers mean less stodgy carb-loaded munchies.
- Your immune system will be stronger
- You’ll think more clearly and make better choices regarding diet and exercise
The health benefits of being sober are immense. What’s more, you’ll notice some of the positive effects within a couple of weeks, mentally and physically.
Having a sober mind is the best way to boost your health during 2022.
“Getting sober released me to transition from a corporate role where I was stuck and unhappy to become a Horticultural Therapist and opening my own business (www.serenitywellbeinggardens.
Louise
“I’m 20 months alcohol-free now, and while I dreamed of running a marathon before, I really didn’t think I would do it. Now I’m planning ultra-marathons once I get my first marathon out of the way in May. As Ol Blue Eyes said, “best is yet to come and babe, won’t that be fine?”
Lyndsay
Switch Up Your Career
For employers, the effects of alcohol on the workforce are phenomenal. Lost productivity due to alcohol use costs the UK economy more than £7 billion annually, and an estimated 167,000 working years are lost to alcohol every year. As an employer, who would you rather hire? Someone who loves a drink? Or a sober candidate who’s less likely to turn up to work hungover, tired, and grumpy?
Sadly, many people stay in their jobs because they aren’t too sure how to make positive changes. Switching careers isn’t easy and financial implications make that more difficult. As a result, you find yourself stuck in a rut or in a job that you think is a good move for you but doesn’t necessarily fit with what you really want from life. When you drink, it’s harder to figure out the next move. Alcohol disrupts sleep, and tired brains don’t work as effectively. So you end up stuck in a job that doesn’t light your fire.
On the other hand, sobriety opens up new opportunities. You’ll enjoy more focus and be able to strive for the best every day. You’ll be in a better position to weigh up your career options – perhaps even start up your own business with the money saved from not drinking.
You shouldn’t ever have to settle for second best. A sober mind is sharper, more disciplined, and level-headed. Monday’s are less stressful after a hungover weekend, and you’re less likely to run away from problems.
If your goals are centered around your job, sobriety will get you there.
“I was a lost soul, barely scratching the surface of life. I was just about surviving. I found myself risking my job, livelihood, home, and a lot worse. Jojo helped me believe I can change. I can be that person I want to be. Trust myself. Nearly a year on, and I don’t recognise that person I was last year. I now no longer betray myself and do things that risk losing my lifelong career. I’ve had my head in the books and studied and just recently got promoted at work.”
L.Allen Keyworker
Build More Meaningful Relationships
Getting sober helps you repair the relationship with the most important person in your life – YOU. Once you step away from the drama associated with alcohol, you’ll see yourself in a different light – stronger, more rational, with a sense of inner peace. Learning to love yourself and setting healthy boundaries are the first steps to building more meaningful relationships with others.
Getting sober helps you understand who you really are. As you become stronger in your sobriety, you quickly realise who’s genuinely there for you. It can be challenging to manage a relationship if your partner continues to drink. Yet, at the same time, sobriety can also strengthen partnerships and friendships.
It’s easier to see if issues exist because of the relationship itself rather than the effects of alcohol. Alcohol-fuelled arguments become a thing of the past. As you discover more about yourself, it’s easier to acknowledge and step away from toxic relationships. It’s surprising how strong you feel when sober, clear-headed, and determined.
Sobriety can save or end partnerships. Either way, know it’ll be in your best interests. And if you’re single, sober dating helps you meet people you have something in common with instead of a drunken, beer-goggled chat at the pub.
If your goal for 2022 is to find love and friendship, being sober will help you find relationships that support your hopes and dreams.
“I am now in a place where I am starting to feel empowered and comfortable in my own skin. My family have commented on the changes they have noticed and how happy I am. I never thought this would be possible. I can not thank Jojo enough for her guidance and expertise.”
Claire B Occupational Therapy Manager
“My girls are teenagers now, and me being sober has made me a much better Mum who no longer shouts at her girls but now laughs, and I’m talking proper belly laughs, and I’ll be forever grateful.”
Jo B Hair Salon Business Owner
Save Money For A Rainy Day
We’d all like a little more money, especially after the past couple of Covid-ridden years. Of course, money can’t create true happiness, but it does make life a little easier. If your goal is to save money, giving up alcohol is the best way to kickstart your savings account.
Stop and think about it. How much would you usually spend a week on alcohol? Given that an average bottle of wine is anything between £8 and £12, the costs soon rack up. If you’re purchasing three bottles of wine a week, that works out at roughly £1440 a year. That’s without the extra nights out and taxis home after stopping at the kebab shop.
Imagine what you could do with that money – take a holiday, start a business or put it towards buying a property.
Being sober doesn’t mean you need to become a penny-pinching hermit. But by quitting alcohol, your savings will build up quicker than if you continue drinking them away.
The Benefits of Sobriety Allow You To Create A Life You Love. Stop Accepting Second-Best And Start Living Your Hopes And Dreams
There are no disadvantages to living a sober life. You can still socialise, have fun and enjoy life to the fullest. The only things you give up are hangovers, alcohol-related health problems, and anxiety.
Whether your goals for 2022 involve health, career, or lifestyle, I can help you with your transformation.
If you’d like to have a chat to explore any obstacles that might be holding you back from living your best life without alcohol, please book a discovery JOMO call today.
Recent Comments