Sober October is finally over, and I’ve definitely learned a lot about myself, my habits, and what I can (or can’t) go without.
Last month, my fiancé Frank and I went on a 3-week road trip around California and Arizona. Admittedly, wine was a big motivation for this trip. Frank and I are both in the industry, and I had never been to Napa before. Ergo, we painted the town red for research (obviously).
As much fun as we had – and we did have a blast – I remember piling into the passenger side of our campervan to head for our first wine tasting of the day. I was groggy and clinging to my thermos of coffee when the idea popped into my head. I turned over to Frank and said, “We should do Sober October when we get back.”
Frank didn’t need much convincing. He’s not a big drinker in the first place. Between the two of us, I’m definitely the more glass-of-wine-to-unwind one. Admittedly, this proclamation did make me feel a little less glutenous for the remainder of our trip since I knew I was going to pay my penance when we got home.
Plus, I had been spending the month before our trip gearing up for a big move professionally. The side hustle of freelance writing I had started earlier this year was snowballing into a full-time career. I was excited, nervous, and anxious to put my notice in and begin investing in myself. So, I knew I needed all the extra energy and refreshment I could get to help me jumpstart this big move.
9 Things I Learned From Sober October
Quick note: I did give myself one cheat day because my best friend was having a post-elopement celebration in October. Worth it.
Anyway, here are some of the biggest impacts that taking a sober month had on my health, happiness, and lifestyle…
I’m so much more well rested
This one was the most obvious for me. I turned 27 this year, and even I notice a dramatic difference that just 1 or 2 drinks make when it comes to my sleep cycle. After two drinks, I always have a harder time waking up to my alarm.
Since doing Sober October, I’m able to get up more quickly. I do still press snooze on occasion, but I’m generally in a better mood when I wake up.
I need less sleep
This ties into being more well-rested, but I used to think I needed eight full hours of sleep. Now, I seem to feel perfectly fine with 7 hours, and I don’t have a sleep quota piling on, leading me to sleep in until 9 or 10. I can go to bed later, around 11-11:30, and wake up at 6:30 with no problem.
I lost weight without trying
To be fair, Frank and I did also commit to taking a sober month to also fit in more exercise. Specifically, I wanted to get back into running. My best friend and I participated in a triathlon the previous year, but since then, I rarely went on a run, even though I enjoy it and find it to be a great workout.
The flip side was that while I did run more this month, I was also more sedentary. Here, in the Pacific Northwest, when the rain starts in October, it doesn’t stop until May, meaning long walks with my primadonna dog get cut back drastically. Still, I noticed weight loss, and I was feeling more hydrated.
My workouts are stronger
As I mentioned above, I wanted to get back into running. While running with my best friend definitely helped with motivation, I could tell I felt stronger during my workouts. My running mate literally runs ultra-marathons, and I was still able to keep up pace with her for 10ks weekly!
My energy levels are on fire
One of the “perks” I’m now realizing since starting my own business is that I’m literally always working. Like, always working.
With my blog, clients, and my in-person job, I find myself daily jumping back and forth between tasks. Yet, I’m feeling really, really good. There’s definitely a little stress and anxiety mixed in now and then, but I attribute that to my workload.
I’m saving money
This one may be obvious, but going out less has allowed me to save money and dedicate more time to my business. Between restaurants and drinks with friends, this is definitely where most of my disposable income gets directed.
I haven’t done the math, and honestly, if I were to factor in the money we spent wine tasting in California, I’m pretty sure my “going out” money has already been spent for the rest of the year!
I don’t miss it
When I was putting away the wine we bought on our trip, I was a little bummed I had to wait a whole month before I could crack one open. I also expected that I would miss out on get-togethers with friends that usually happens at bars or taphouses.
By the end of the month, I surprised myself. I really didn’t miss alcohol – or even think about it – for most of the month. When I did go out, I was able to abstain or reach for a non-alcoholic beer that I love, one that’s actually made by my old stomping grounds, Three Magnets Brewing.
(This blog is not sponsored by Three Magnets… but it could be… what do you say, Nate?)
I could go longer
Similar to how I felt at the end of the Seattle to Portland bike race, I easily felt I could keep going longer if I had to. For most of the month, having a drink barely crossed my mind.
To be fair, it’s fall in the PNW which means no more outdoor BBQs or patio cocktails, but overall I don’t feel compelled to return to my vacation lifestyle, not yet, anyway.
My friends are joining in
When I told my friends I was doing Sober October, they were happy for me, and many of them decided to join in, at least for the remaining weeks of the month.
One friend in particular actually shared a handy piece of advice that Frank and I have already begun putting into practice….
Post Sober October – What I’m Doing Next
Frank and I decided that instead of doing Sober October and Dry January each year, we will do one week of sobriety every month. That way, by the end of the year, it would have equaled three months off of drinking throughout the year.
Hopefully, that’s not the only time that we abstain from drinking, but either way, I think it’s a great start and a perfect reminder to take frequent breaks.
That brings us to today, it’s Thursday, November 3rd, when I’m writing this, and I’m still going strong. Frank and I did indulge in a celebratory cocktail on Halloween, but now we are both content to give it another week before (selectively) indulging in a glass of wine.
