This week I celebrated one year of being alcohol free.
To start my sober life, I had to follow my gut feeling and choose not to drink, even though our society often revolves around alcohol.
This has probably been my biggest challenge in authenticity to this day.
And that’s what I want to talk about on this episode.
How do you find and follow your authentic path, especially when it’s different and no one else seems to be on it?
Is it really worth it to be true to yourself if it’s hard and goes against what everyone else is doing?
Why not just fit in with everyone else?
This is what I am going to answer in my new monthly series, “My Life After Medicine.”
Where every first Thursday of the month, I’ll share what I’ve experienced since leaving the medical field.
Use the audio player above to listen, or tune in here.
Taking the Leap to a Sober Life
Life is a wild ride, full of twists and turns we can’t always predict.
Just like how I took a courageous leap away from medical residency, I want to share something else that’s changed my life for the better: choosing to live a sober life.
It wasn’t an easy decision to make. Just like leaving medicine, walking away from alcohol meant facing down years of societal norms telling me that a drink was the way to celebrate, relax, or even just fit in at a social event.
When I started on this path, I realized that I was looking for more than just a way to unwind or party.
I was searching for something real, something that allowed me to connect with my true self and others on a more authentic level.
Honestly, it was about learning to celebrate life without needing a glass in my hand.
I listened to my body’s physical reactions and my feelings of envy toward those who lived without alcohol.
That longing for a different kind of life became my guide.
Changing Perspectives
I thought a lot about how society views alcohol.
We see it everywhere, in movies, in commercials, at every event—it seems like drinking is just what people do.
I had to reprogram my brain to understand that I wasn’t missing out on anything by not drinking.
That glass of wine or bottle of beer wasn’t a ticket to a magical land of fun. It was just… a drink.
One that often left me feeling worse, not better.
Every time I craved a drink, I would remind myself about the reality of alcohol: it didn’t serve me.
I started to notice all those sober moments that felt just as fun, if not more, because I remembered them clearly.
Instead of toasts and tipsy laughter, I found joy in morning hikes, karaoke nights, and deep conversations that didn’t fade with the buzz.
Shedding the Illusions
Giving up alcohol made me feel like I stood on the outside looking in.
I sometimes caught myself judging other people’s drinking because I was frustrated by the illusion everyone seemed caught in—that alcohol was a must-have for a good time.
But I learned to let go of that judgment and that frustration, because I wasn’t just freeing myself from alcohol, I was freeing myself from all those myths and pressures.
My mindset shifted when I stopped romanticizing drinking and started reminiscing about those negative experiences.
It showed me the unfiltered truth about how alcohol really played a role in my life.
Creating lists of the reasons I wanted to drink, and what I hoped to gain, helped me find other ways to achieve the same feelings.
Finding Alternatives for Connection and Relaxation
But would I want to drink in the first place?
What was it I was actually seeking?
Was it relaxation, maybe an escape, or just trying to ease some social anxiety?
Those moments of self-discovery opened my eyes further.
I learned to find new ways to relax, like reading a good book or going for a walk in the woods.
I realized that I could have carefree fun singing my heart out to my favorite songs, no alcohol required.
Looking deeper, it was clear that drinking was often a mask for something else.
It was a cover-up, not a solution.
To truly move forward, I needed to face those things head-on and work on personal growth, and that’s what I did.
Reaping the Benefits
I’ve tapped into this amazing presence in social situations—actually hearing and engaging in conversations—and I’ve felt this spiritual growth that has grounded me in ways I never expected.
My relationships with friends and clients have deepened because I’m fully there, with no fog between us.
But the biggest win?
It’s the freedom I’ve found.
I’m not chained to societal expectations or a drink.
I’m choosing life on my terms, and it’s exhilarating.
Being sober has helped me get back to who I truly am, away from the noise and confusion that alcohol sometimes brings.
A wise soul, once said
“Alcohol dulls life, keeping us from truly experiencing all its beauty and depth.”
Lucy Rocca
I couldn’t agree more.
It’s not about losing out; it’s about gaining everything else—the clarity, the real connections, and the pure, unfiltered joy that life has to offer.
Choosing authenticity and sobriety hasn’t just been a decision; it’s been a declaration of how I want to live my life.
It’s about showing up fully, both for the small everyday moments and the big, life-changing experiences.
If you’ve ever felt that tug in your heart, that intuition whispering that there’s more to life than just the status quo, I encourage you to listen.
I know it’s scary, and it’s unknown, but it’s also where you’ll find the most incredible freedom and fulfillment.
If you want help clarifying your next step for your career, apply for a free 30- min career clarity call– so you can receive personalized guidance. 🙂
