Hey Loves!
How was everyone's January??? For me, I'm glad it's over and I welcome the new month with open arms. So for those of you that have been following along and have read this previous blog post from earlier this month will know that I've been a sober soldier lately.
For the month of January (my birthday month) I solemnly vowed to myself that I would try to stop drinking alcohol for the entire month, given the exception of my birthday. I thought it would be cruel to deny myself something on that one special day of the year, aka my "cheat' day. The BIG question is, did I do it? Was I successful in this challenge in my personal everyday life?
The Outcome:
Well, to be completely honest with you I have a mixed answer. I definitely used my birthday as a time to enjoy some local white wine with my seafood lunch and a dessert beer from the well-known brewery De Gaurde here in Oregon, but it was worth it. When I went out in general to bars and places that served acholic beverages throughout the rest of the weeks I simply ordered a ginger ale or better yet ginger beer if they had it as my substitute. Most of the time I felt better because of it, getting a full nights rest from not overdoing it and generally have a good gut gave me all the more reason to keep at it. I thought I was doing pretty good for the most part, for the majority of the month sticking to my new usual bevy Gingerale was working for me. However, I have to admit that I gave in on one other occasion that I somewhat regret now.
I Slipped Up:
The Stumptown Holiday party... it took place at a bar Mississippi Studios with an open bar, free food, live karaoke, Las Vegas themed activities to entertain us gusts sooo, I gave in. Part of dating a handsome barista like my man Grant includes getting to tag along to his work functions like the annual winter holiday party. Oh yeah! Did I mention that we got new tattoos at the party as well? LOL Yup that's right, at Stumptown Coffee Roasters ( One of the West Coast's Biggest Coffee giants ) they go all out for these parties. In conclusion, I most definitely had one too many Old Fashions ( I lost count ) that night and my liver hated me the next day. It felt like it might've been one of the worst hangovers I've ever had. That was the reason why in the first place I vowed to stop drinking, the hangovers! Truth be told but I'm getting too old for it and my body can't take that kind of behavior anymore as I reach my 30's...
What did I Learn?
Moderation is my best friend. I should still try to resist the urge to drink but if I must have a drink I think I'll just have the 1-2, not 5-6. This year so far has forced me to reflect on where I am in life. Figuring out old or bad habits like drinking is not only harmful to my health but not necessary in my lifestyle anymore.
Will I drink again?
Yes, most likely I will indulge every now and then but in the meantime, I'll stick to my ginger beer, water, tea or Kombucha if I can help it. I've learned a valuable lesson which is that I don't always need booze to socialize to have fun. If a stress release is what I'm looking for then perhaps I'll change my ways of thinking and simply attend a yoga class instead of happy hour.
Join me on my Insta Stories and on my Instagram account @misshoneylavender for my February challenge this month which is trying to do yoga 2-3 times a week. So far I've gone once this week and this weekend I plan of trying out a new yoga studio here in North Portland. I'll be sure to report back on that later though.
Have a great February Loves!!!
XOXO
-Jordan
No comments
Post a Comment