Why did I decide to stop drinking alcohol?

I have been going for periods of abstinence for many years now. Sometimes 60 days other times over 100 and on every occasion I have noticed something. My thinking abilities are heightened by as much as 30% (conservative estimate) 2 weeks after I have stopped. Let me just start off by making something clear I am not addicted to alcohol in the way people normally mean dependency, but I do love the taste of beer and wine and those who know me will vouch that I like a good evening out that includes no shortage of drink.

I suppose I had developed a bit of a love hate relationship with alcohol over the past 7 years, loved the taste but hated the effects of getting a bit too merry, the day after fog, and also the more sinister, slow, reduction in my thinking abilities. Alcohol is a depressant and although I would be hard pressed to find anyone that would consider me other than positive I can tell the difference between when on and off drinking.

So I have decided to knock it on the head. This round of not drinking started on the 1st March 2016 although it wasn't until later in the month (as clarity resumed) that I began to consider the possibility of stopping altogether. I don't know exactly what day it was but 25th March might be a good guestimate.

The reactions to this have been interesting. Some have said that's a rubbish idea you will now be boring. Others, you like alcohol why ruin your life. Some have taken it personally as if I am making a high and mighty statement and now will take the high ground judging others who continue to drink. I am going to admit that I do love red wine and that I will probably miss it on occasion but it all comes down to mindset and why I have decided to do this... so here goes...

Link4Growth and all the people that I am connected to are the most amazing people. During the past 4 years I have learnt so much from everyone. We are now entering a new era for Link4Growth. International expansion is on the horizon. The speed of growth and acceleration is increasing rapidly. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be in need of all my faculties to be able to continue to deliver at my peak performance. For me to be the best I can be, I believe, I must sharpen the saw, and get ready for personal growth the like of which I have never experienced before. Also, to be able to help others to the best of my ability they deserve all of me, not a slightly dimmed down version... that I now view as a bit disrespectful of me. Alcohol no longer serves me where I am going. Alcohol did impair my senses, and it did prevent me from listening, processing, reflecting and understanding. Sorry if you didn't see the best version of me in the past, I hope I will do better next time!

Alcohol was part of my life but I no longer need it, I have come to that part of my journey where it is time for it to go. This is a personal decision for me at this time. 12 months ago I was not ready. Now I am. My decision has no bearing on anyone else nor do I think any differently about anyone else. Judgement is not part of my journey either.

There is another part of this story though and that is a much bigger concept. As a species we have become very comfortable with the concept of Alcohol and also of Drug usage. When I say drugs, I mean anti-depressants and those drugs designed to turn down the volume and make life more bearable. This applies to many millions of people. We have become accustomed to reaching for something (a bottle or some pills) to shuffle along and tolerate the journey (our life), rather than become more aware so we can experience every single bit of it. I believe it is time to make this information available for people, and of course not everyone will want to listen, that's ok too. My part in this process is to share my own experience and hope that this inspires others in some way.

If you would like to chat to me about the above then I am more than happy to do so. Some interesting ideas have already come up around drinks without alcohol... If you are going to stop why not have fun doing it? more on that story later...

Some credits are due... when you reflect and consider what you are doing it is as a result of input from others. There has been no shortage of discussions with people over the past 6 months that have led to this point. I would however like to give special thanks to +Emma Jaynes +Tania Clarke and also +Linda Anderson

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