My lifestyle change...

I have decided to embark on this new venture of mindful drinking. What does this mean? Sobriety? T-total? No. Neither of them are for me. I looooovvveeeeee wine too much!

I've decided that drunk Megan no longer serves me, my purpose or the person I am becoming. I get it, we can all be drunken messes in life and I will never and have never judged another for their relationship with alcohol or how they act when on it. I'm a daughter of an alcoholic - who has taught me so much about empathising with others especially those with dependency/ addictions. Howeverrrrrr, there came a time in my life where I had to re-evaluate MY own relationship with going out, getting drunk and how I am when I under the influence. And it's hard - making these decisions! Alot of my friends/family know me as the drinker, the one who pours the pint sized measurements of vodka and who's best craic when out, so these relationships need redefined. I see their faces when I want to order mocktails or 0% beer and it's hard for me not to feel judged or give in to the peer pressure. Like I said, it's not about sobriety for me. I enjoy alcohol and I enjoy having beers in the sun, cocktails in the bar with friends and wine at night on the sofa with my husband. I just choose, not to get drunk.

Last night was my besties hen do and I stayed sober! This was my ultimate test. Everyone else was on a full drinking day and I drove (the first half of the day then I had a drink with my dinner) and I loved it. I even got a message today from a fellow hen asking me how the head was, because I was still good craic! I'm a fairly confident gal anyway, it's in my bones! It's how I do what I do so well. Going through these tests helps me reidentify my choices. It's not a made up concept that I have just thrown out there - it's a real thing. There was an actual festival held in Britain called "The Mindful Drinking" festival lol so it's a revolution! Join us? Joke. But here are some of the benefits it has brought to me...

- I don't get a hangover & get a good nights rest

- I save money!!! I spend money but more consciously

- I am in control of my words and actions - this was a massive thing for me so managing this has become so empowering for me! Which in itself is a benefit.

That's just a small list! The reason I'm writing this is to reach out to others and start to normalise it. Like, when we say we're not drinking people always follow up with, "why? Are you sick?" or worse (for women, we hear way worse and more insensitive questions...*Eyeroll*) but anyway..

Here's a wee link of an article around it - The Practice of Mindful Drinking | Hello Sunday Morning.

Reach out to me, let's chat...if this is something you are considering. P.s if you ever see me drunk shove this page in my face :)

Love and Light

Megan