Today, I’m one year sober. Still feels weird to write that.
I’d love to say I planned for it. I didn’t. I had some (what has turned out since) minor health issues that I misinterpreted as major issues and told myself I’d stop drinking for a while. It wasn’t even planned because I missed Alcohol Awareness Week by one week.
I’m not going to present a “holier-than-thou” update on being sober for that length of time. In truth, I’m not arsed if other people drink. Please. Do drink around me. Really not arsed.
I’m also not going to say that my health got immediately better. It didn’t. Sure the weight dropped but it took me 9 months before I began to feel noticeably better. I slept so badly for so long. Sleeping is still varied. I can’t guarantee a good night sleep, but I’m usually pretty good.
I’m not going to talk about how tough it was. In all honesty, I found it straightforward, being able to count on one hand the times I’ve missed having a drink. Usually in places that don’t have a non-alcoholic offering: stadiums in the UK are the worst for this.
I’m not going to talk about how I’m never touching alcohol again. I probably will. I probably have. I’ve had a few tiramisus that was going spare on holiday for example.
I’m also not going to talk about how I’m the bastion of health now. The amount of ice cream I’ve eaten in the last year has shot up. My diet is better mind, but short of eating a lot less takeaways it’s not changed much. I still enjoy a full English, and can polish off a tub of Pringles depressingly easily.
I’m not going to say how supportive everybody’s been. I’ve drifted from a few people because of it.
Nevertheless. One year down. Feels it’s worth a celebration. You do lose things, but you learn to appreciate other things. I don’t miss the beer portal, for example.
I also appreciated the drive to Ruthin first thing in the morning on Christmas Day to do a Parkrun when the world was dead. The coffee I shared with my girlfriend in a car park van at 8:30am in Criccieth the day my brother got married (and 10 minutes before I fell in a pothole and twisted my ankle). Being at Pennington Flash at 8am to see the world wake up with a bacon butty.
Those are the moments I appreciate. Calm, peaceful moments for reflection where you truly get to appreciate the world in a way other folks may not. It feels like you’ve more hours in a day.
A bit of extra life.
Also, I’ve developed a craving for Salt & Vinegar crisps. Don’t know why.
