Ep. 96 Six Reasons We Quit Drinking

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Six Life-Changing Reasons to Quit Drinking

Rediscovering Your Sparkle and Embracing a Healthier, More Authentic Life

Choosing to live alcohol-free isn’t just about abstinence—it’s about reclaiming your health, happiness, and authenticity. On episode 96 of the Sober and Lit Podcast, hosts Ruby and Susan share their profound yet relatable journeys, diving into their top six reasons for leaving alcohol behind. Their experiences offer hope, actionable insights, and a heartfelt exploration of what freedom from drinking can really mean.

1. Releasing Self-Hate and Embracing Self-Love

Susan’s most compelling reason was to escape the cycle of self-loathing exacerbated by drinking. “I don’t want to hate myself anymore,” she shared, recounting how failed attempts to moderate led to feelings of shame and guilt. This persistent negativity became a wedge in her relationship with herself and God. When you’re caught in a cycle of beating yourself up each morning and doubting your worth, it’s impossible to experience true connection—to yourself and to others. As Ruby added, “learning to love myself and believe that everything is happening for me… was a spiritual awakening.” Quitting drinking became a transformative act of self-compassion, opening up the possibility for authentic joy, connection, and spiritual growth.

2. Prioritizing Holistic Health

Ruby emphasized the dramatic health improvements that come from an alcohol-free lifestyle. Ruby recounted her personal health struggles towards the end of her drinking: vision issues, heart pains, and various injuries tied to drinking. She notes, “becoming a non drinker is the healthiest decision that I made in my life.”

3. Reduce Cancer Risks and Ageng Well

Susan added that understanding how alcohol affects the brain and body was crucial—highlighting links to breast cancer, dementia, and lasting brain fog. She observed, “if I’m doing all the things and I’m still drinking, I may as well just throw my weighted vest in the dumpster.” For these women, quitting drinking meant truly honoring their bodies and minds, allowing them to age well and thrive with energy and vibrancy.

4. Reclaiming Your Time, Energy and Brainpower

Alcohol often masquerades as a source of fun, but Ruby candidly revealed, “alcohol made me boring and dumb.” Instead of living life to its fullest, evenings became lost to Netflix and missed opportunities for growth and connection. She described cancelled plans, derailed attempts at self-improvement, and a nagging sense of wasted potential: “I wasn’t living up to my potential.” Brain fog and lack of energy are constant companions for many drinkers. Now, instead, Ruby enjoys “renewable energy,” sharper cognitive abilities, and a genuine excitement for life that simply wasn’t accessible before.

5. Getting Your Sparkle Back

One of the most beautiful outcomes of choosing sobriety, for Susan, was regaining her sparkle—her authentic self. She recounted a poignant moment where her husband told her, “you got your sparkle back.” Alcohol had dimmed her innate zest for life, but living alcohol-free has restored her sense of purpose, joy, and playfulness. As Ruby observed at a wine expo, she could see the “sparkle in [the attendees’] eyes was gone.” Rediscovering this inner vitality isn’t just about physical health, but about feeling truly alive and engaged in the world.

6. Freeing Up Mental Space

Another liberating aspect of quitting drinking is reclaiming mental clarity. Ruby described the exhausting preoccupation with alcohol: “How much am I going to drink? Do I have any wine at home? I gotta go buy it…” This constant mental chatter is not only draining but undermines authenticity and personal growth. Now free from this relentless brain fog, Ruby and Susan invest their energy into thoughts and habits that serve them—gratitude, personal development, and mindfulness.

Finding Your Powerful "Why"

Ultimately, lasting change starts with a powerful reason—a “why” that resonates on an emotional level. Susan recommends anchoring your journey to a feeling: “How do you want to feel in your life? And how does alcohol either contribute to that feeling or take away from that feeling?” Journaling about your motivations can be a vital first step in transforming your relationship with alcohol.

Conclusion: More Than Sobriety—A Transformative Journey

Ruby and Susan’s stories paint a vivid picture of the multifaceted blessings of living alcohol-free. From overcoming self-hate and boosting health to rediscovering lost potential and sparkle, their journeys show that quitting drinking is not about deprivation—it’s about gaining a richer, fuller life. If you’re contemplating cutting back, ask yourself why and envision how you want to feel. As Ruby says, “today’s going to be amazing. What’s possible today?” With intention and support, your best self is waiting on the other side of alcohol.

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Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Coach Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
Email: [email protected]

Grab your copy of our FREE WineFree Weekend Guide to help you on your alcohol free journey. https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/WineFreeWeekend