Stopping for a while, just to see

I didn’t drink for almost a year while on a medical diet for a chronic illness. I had a couple bitters and sodas and maybe two glasses of wine during that time, during which I was working in a wine bar and a cocktail-forward fine dining restaurant. I had been drinking two cocktails every night I worked at the restaurant or a glass or two of wine at the other job after I got off each night.

What I found was that I wasn’t interested in stopping drinking for the sake of it, but that I was interested in not drinking alone at home, drinking to unwind, or drinking to deal with any emotions or discomfort. It’s so nice to drink something special at the end of the day, so I still do that—just with a broader variety of choices. I think it has right-sized the role alcohol plays in my life (a small one rooted in pleasure and celebration).

A favorite zero proof bev recipe is linked and pictured :)