I set a goal for myself in late 2024 to make 2025 a year of sobriety. I did it!
The goal was not chosen due to a health concern, addiction, or peer pressure. It was a goal based on experience with sobriety stints in previous years.
I'm happy to report that I started a company, learned a new language, traveled the world, and have a newsletter with over 10,000 subscribers.
Lol, not quite.
I did manage to take some key learnings from the experience. I won’t be citing studies, besides the study of my experience.
Here’s the real story…
(New hobby found this year courtesy of The Way.)
Why'd you do it?
I recalled often finding myself in the middle of a bar at around midnight. I’d been drinking for hours. The first beer or two was fun, but from then on it's been a blur. The floor is sticky, the place reeks of stale booze, people are starting to get a little too liquid confident, and I’m getting hungry. I’m surrounded by loose connections having conversations that won’t be remembered. I have a moment of almost sober clarity where I think to myself - what am I doing here?
I didn’t understand why sobriety stories often have a negative impetus. I had never heard someone talk about being sober, just because? It had to be triggered by a bad habit or triggering event, right?
I should have asked around the sober circles more. Previous sobriety stints were a fun social challenge and inspiring, as I noticed small changes in my health during these periods. I awkwardly handled social interactions at dinners or parties as to why I wasn’t drinking, but found small changes in sleep quality, stress levels, mindset, and avoiding sickness.
What'd you learn?
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Alcohol doesn’t add confidence - it borrows it. The illusion of confidence gained while drinking is paid with pain and anxiety the next day. Remove the alcohol, and confidence grows consistently.
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Social discomfort is a skill you can train. It’s okay to be sober at dinner or a party. Embrace being uncomfortable, and talk to a stranger without the liquid courage. When someone asks why you're not drinking, you have two options:
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The Rookie move: "I'm just taking a break right now." (Invites pressure).
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The Pro move: "I don't drink. I'm doing a sober year." (Invites respect).
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Sleep without alcohol in the system is how you win 9pm-6am. Stacking days, weeks, and months of sober sleep creates routine your body can rely on.
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My body stopped playing defense. I experienced lower stress, steadier blood pressure, and better recovery.
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It feels good in your wallet. I saved at least $1,000 (roughly $20 per week).
What'd you miss?
A glass of wine with dinner or family. A beer or two with the guys after an active day. These happy moments with those I love can be enhanced with a good drink. That’s about it.
What was the hardest part? Did you almost give up?
The hardest situations were initially social settings where I happened to the be the only one not drinking. The temptation to just ‘have a beer’ was difficult to resist. This wears away with time. When you observe an evening where people are heavily drinking, it doesn't inspire you to get back on the sauce.
Once I made it past two months, I knew I could I make it the full year.
What's next?
Sobriety or sauce? I'm unsure.
I will continue my sobriety practice for now, but am considering selectively enjoying a beverage with friends or family when the time calls for it. If I feel myself swaying too far, I’m now confident in my discipline to return to a place of balance.
However, as stated above, I'm unsure. I don't often miss alcohol, which makes me question the idea of bringing it back into my life.
Stay tuned on this one.
Is choosing not to drink life-changing?
I’ve seen content discussing how sobriety transformed people's lives. This is definitely true, but I don’t believe it applies to everyone. I had a positive experience with sobriety, but it alone did not transform my life. It unlocks time and mental clarity previously not available. It is then up to you to decide what should be done with this gift bestowed upon yourself.
Instead of trying to get through dry January this year and caving to peer or personal pressure two weeks in, ask yourself, what might you learn if you stayed accountable to a 60 day sobriety goal?
Song Rec:
Modern Girl - Bleachers
Thanks to Iz for this one. Saxophone people, this is for you.
Happy New Year!
Letter Rec:
Warren Buffet's shareholder Thanksgiving letter from November, 2025. Excerpt below:
Greatness does not come about through accumulating great amounts of money, great amounts of publicity or great power in government. When you help someone in any of thousands of ways, you help the world. Kindness is costless but also priceless. Whether you are religious or not, it’s hard to beat The Golden Rule as a guide to behavior.
Quote to consider:
“Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position. But certainty is an absurd one.” - Voltaire
Sending good vibes your way for 2026. Pura Vida!