10 years ago, life threw me a major curveball. I was in Adelaide visiting family and I had a seizure pretty much out of the blue that landed me in a 4-day long coma. When I woke up, I had never felt so sick and weak in my entire life. I had absolutely no appetite (which lasted for quite a few weeks) and couldn't even stand up long enough to take a shower.
After that, I was put on anti-seizure meds which meant goodbye alcohol and hello to a whole heap of anxiety, panic attacks and other fun side effects! 😅
Before this ordeal, I was a fit and healthy 25-year-old in my prime. I wasn't a huge drinker but definitely enjoyed a night out on the weekend. You might think giving up the booze was tough, but honestly, the anxiety made it easier. It was one of the only things I could control when I felt like my body and mind were so out of control. The panic attacks were no joke, so steering clear of alcohol felt like a win amongst the chaos.
Fast forward a couple of extremely tough years, I needed to ditch the meds to start our family journey. Coming off those medications was one of the hardest times of my life (second only to the actual seizure and the weeks that followed) the anxiety and panic attacks skyrocketed along with a whole heap of other withdrawal symptoms that left me feeling completely out of control yet again.
I somehow made it through, and we were able to begin our journey of starting a family. Of course, once pregnant and breastfeeding and then pregnant again with our second daughter soon after meant another couple of years alcohol free. By the time I stopped breastfeeding my second daughter it had been nearly 8 years of not drinking.
The hardest part of giving up alcohol wasn't actually giving up the alcohol! At 25, I was in my prime party years, my friends were living it up and I still wanted to join in the fun so I would still head out and enjoy a night out just minus the drinking.
I had fully accepted my situation, but the hardest part was trying to get others to accept it too. I would get so sick of the peer pressure and having to say no 20 x a night. It was like people thought THEY couldn't have fun if I wasn't drinking. My true friends accepted it and supported me and would offer to get me soft drinks or water whenever they were heading to the bar but there is only so many lemonades you can have in one night! And there is definitely something awkward about standing in a bar or club not holding a drink, it feels like an invitation for people to ask you where your drink is and I never knew what to do with my hands. What I would have given back then to have options other than water or sugary soft drinks.
So 10 years down the track and there is no longer a medical (or baby) reason to not have a drink but I don't miss it at all and I have no desire to start drinking again. With 2 toddlers to look after and 2 businesses to run there is no time for hangovers.
There are so many reasons why people stop drinking alcohol (or never start) whether it's religious, medical, health, lifestyle or personal reasons. Sometimes it's by choice and other times the universe makes the choice for you. It makes me so happy that these days there are so many awesome zero-alcohol options out there and more importantly that the choice to live an alcohol-free life is becoming more and more accepted and "normal". There is still a long way to go and I still get comments about it but I grew thick skin a long time ago in that regard!
Looking back on these 10 alcohol-free years, I see a journey of resilience, growth, and joy. The initial challenges, from facing the unknown in hospital to navigating social pressures, have shaped me into someone who embraces life with clarity and purpose. Today, I am grateful for the strength and support that carried me through, and I take pride in choosing a path that aligns with my values and well-being.
I hope my story inspires others to pursue their own paths of self-care and mindful living, whatever that may look like for them.