She Strengthens

Rethinking My Relationship with Alcohol

As we approach the holiday season, I’m reflecting on my recent “sober curious” experiment. Inspired by Sober October, I decided to take a closer look at my spending habits and relationship with alcohol.

A Wake-Up Call

My yoga instructor, who enjoys his scotch and tequila, introduced me to the concept of Sober October. It sparked a realization about my own disappointing relationship with alcohol, both personally and financially. Last year, I spent a staggering $717.13 on booze, which accounted for a significant percentage of my salary. I knew I had to make a change.

Taking Action

Sober October presented the perfect opportunity for reflection and saving. I’d already failed to cut my spending in half, so I needed a concrete plan to make progress. A drinking hiatus would help me reduce my spending and reevaluate whether alcohol truly adds value to my life.

Lessons Learned

Throughout the month, I discovered some surprising truths:

• I don’t need to drink to fit in. I assumed that not drinking would draw attention to myself, but I found that plenty of mature people don’t drink, and no one comments on your abstinence.
• I don’t need to drink to be more expressive. I can have meaningful conversations and express myself authentically without relying on alcohol.
• I don’t need to drink to self-soothe. I learned to take a step back, reassess uncomfortable situations, and respond in new ways, without reaching for a drink.

Finding Alternatives

I explored tasty, affordable alternatives to alcoholic beverages at home, including:

• Bougie sodas from close-out stores, offering sophisticated flavors like ginger ale and rose-flavored sparkling lemonade
• Iced teas with interesting herbal or floral flavors, made at home for a fraction of the cost
• Infused water, adding flavor with fruits, cucumbers, and herbs like mint and basil
• Seltzer, now available in fun flavors like mango, and easily made at home with a Soda Stream
• Mocktails using bitters and vinegars to create complex, refreshing drinks

Spending Patterns Revealed

After reviewing my spending, I realized that my patterns are seasonal. I spend more on alcohol during the summer months, likely due to social events and online work. To make a real impact on my spending, I might need to start a new trend: #DryJuly.

Moving Forward

Sober October taught me valuable lessons about my spending habits and how to change them. I hope to apply these insights to the rest of my fiscal year and make a positive impact on my financial health.