I committed to living alcohol-free in early 2019. For me, the decision was less about one dramatic event and more about realizing that alcohol had become a shortcut for decompressing — one that kept me from actually processing how I felt. Once I noticed that, I knew I wanted to choose presence over avoidance. Walking away from alcohol wasn’t about restriction; it was about reclaiming clarity and the ability to feel my emotions fully, even the hard ones. That choice opened the door to growth in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

One of the sweetest surprises has been rediscovering things I loved when I was younger. I used to be an athletic person — I loved to run, to be outside, to play team sports, to swim. Somewhere along the way, those things fell off my radar. Now, I have found myself drawn back to those activities. They remind me that relaxation and joy can come from moving my body and reconnecting with simple pleasures that genuinely nourish me.

Alcohol is deeply woven into our social fabric, and I sometimes hesitate to attend certain events for that reason. At the ones I do attend, a real challenge comes when people ask why I’m not drinking. I’ll share my truth, but the hard part is watching them struggle with my answer. In real time, I can see them reflecting on their own reasons for drinking, and that awkwardness can be hard to sit with. I’m human too — I empathize when someone is gobsmacked with the realization that they may also be leaning on alcohol as an unhealthy crutch for emotional regulation.

I don’t have a go-to list of sober-specific resources. What I’ve discovered instead is the joy of building a lifestyle that is sober in and of itself. And that extends beyond alcohol. People can become intoxicated by so many things — likes, promotions, celebrity culture, indulgence — all of which can cloud how we see ourselves and the world. For me, this journey has been about choosing clarity across the board. It’s about living in a way that keeps my vision clear, my choices intentional, and my joy grounded in things that actually matter.

Sparkling water, hands down. The perfect level of bubbles paired with crisp citrus flavors — lime, grapefruit, lemon, orange — is unbeatable. It’s refreshing, celebratory, and never gets old. A well-balanced sparkling water feels like a treat all on its own. I would tell y’all my favorite brand, but honestly, I'd want this brand to pay me first. #lawyerresponse #getmunny #haha

Your reason has to bring you joy. For me, the pleasure is in knowing that I am in control of my emotions — that I’ve grown emotionally sensitive and emotionally intelligent enough to be present in the moment with them. There’s a confidence that comes with knowing you can feel what you feel and have sustainable tools to process them. That’s what makes this boundary worth keeping.

I think it’s fascinating to watch how generations — especially Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z — are moving away from centering alcohol in our lives. We’ve had the benefit of seeing not only the choices of prior generations but also the outcomes of those choices. And I believe more and more people choosing alcohol-free lives will continue to grow.

For me, living alcohol-free is just one example of how choosing alignment creates momentum. That applies not only to personal choices, but also to building teams, pursuing goals, and living with clarity. When you choose alignment, clarity follows — and clarity will always carry you forward.