When I set out on this challenge to go a full year without alcohol, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t thinking about what I might gain. I was too focused on what I’d lose.

The dinners, the weddings, the Friday night red wine, beers with the guys, a cottage weekend… you get it. The list goes on.

These little rituals had been part of my life for 25 years, and it hasn’t been easy.

In those first few months, I felt it:
The pull of old habits.
The moments where I thought I was missing out.
The sense of loss for something that had been ingrained in my routines for decades.

But now, past the halfway point, my perspective has shifted.

I didn’t just remove something from my life, I created space for better things to come in.‍

I’ve gained clarity.
Clarity in my decisions.
Clarity in my health.
Clarity in how I want to show up as a parent, a partner, a leader, and a friend.‍

I’ve gained time.
Time I didn’t even realize I was giving away.
The late nights out. The foggy mornings after “just one more.”
The energy quietly being siphoned off.

That time is now invested in quality moments with my kids, sharper thinking in my business, and more space to reflect and grow.‍

I’ve gained health.
With an auto-inflammatory condition in the mix, alcohol wasn’t doing me any favours.
Cutting it out has given me a better fighting chance at training, recovery, and consistently showing up well.‍

I’ve gained confidence.
Confidence in the choices I’m making across all areas of my life.
Parenting. Relationships. Business.
Confidence that comes from knowing I’m operating with a clear mind and a healthy body.

One more unexpected gain?‍

Nighttime workouts.
Without the wine or beer winding me down, I’ve found a new rhythm.
After the boys are in bed, I’ve got the energy to train, and those evening sessions have become my prime time.

This isn’t about judgment or a blanket statement on alcohol.
It’s simply about recognizing what’s working for me right now, and being proud of that.

What’s been really cool is hearing from friends and colleagues who’ve said this journey has inspired them to reflect on their own habits.

That, to me, is what leadership is all about, not what you say, but how you live.

I can’t confidently say what my plan will be after the year.
But I can say this: the gains have far outweighed the losses.

Some days and events are still challenging.
But I’m holding strong (probably 50% due to sheer stubbornness), and I’ve genuinely enjoyed the journey.

Here’s to the next five months of clarity, health, and intentional choices…perhaps even more.‍

P.S. My latest discovery? Collective Arts’ Hazy IPA (Non-Alcoholic).
Life in the Clouds was always a go-to for me, and I’m a sucker for a good IPA.
This one is the closest thing I’ve found to a traditional hazy. Highly recommend.