Why I’m Ready to Embrace Sobriety (Even Though I Haven’t Yet)

Lately, I’ve been feeling a quiet tug, one that keeps returning, gently but persistently. A soft question echoing in the background of my life: What would things look like with more clarity, more presence, and fewer hangovers? I haven’t stopped drinking, at least, not yet. Just last weekend, I had three glasses of champagne and finished the night with a gin and tonic. I laughed. I danced. I let go. And I did enjoy it… or at least I think I did. But afterward, I found myself wondering: Am I actually having more fun, or am I just numbing something I don’t want to feel? Is it joy, or is it habit, expectation, autopilot? I keep circling back to the same deeper question: Is drinking really aligned with the woman I’m becoming? The version of me who wants to be present in her body, grounded in her choices, and free from needing an escape just to feel alive.

The sober trend that’s stirring something in me

Lately, I’ve been watching more and more women quietly choosing sobriety, not because they hit rock bottom, but because they’re craving something deeper. It’s not about recovery. It’s about refinement. About wanting more from life, not less. And honestly? They’re glowing. There’s something different in their presence. They seem clear. Steady. Like they’re actually in their bodies instead of escaping them. And every time I see it, I feel this little ache, like I want that, too.

This shift I’ve been sensing… It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about proving anything. It’s about reaching for something softer. Choosing clarity instead of chaos. Choosing peace instead of pressure. Real connection instead of that fleeting escape. And I don’t know… it just speaks to something in me I haven’t been able to ignore lately.

Why I want to start

I’m proud that I work out five days a week, no questions, no excuses. That part of me is solid. Disciplined. Devoted. Moving my body is my reset button, my release, my way of proving to myself that I can do hard things. But if I’m being honest… I’ve started wondering: What’s the point of pouring so much into my growth, only to blur it out on the weekends? I say I’m prioritizing health, but am I really supporting my highest self when I’m chasing clarity by day and clouding it by night?

I want to wake up on Sunday mornings proud, not puffy.
I want to feel every high, every breakthrough, without a buzz.
I want to sit with what’s coming up instead of silencing it with a drink.
I want joy that’s real. Intimacy that’s real. Rest that’s real.

This isn’t about quitting forever. It’s about alignment. It’s about asking if the habits I call “normal” are actually keeping me from becoming who I say I want to be. I’m still showing up for my workouts, my family, my clients, but now, I want to show up for all of me.

How I’m Starting: small, but strong

1. Dry Fridays + Saturdays
I’m not going all in overnight. Instead, I’m starting with dry weekends, giving myself the chance to experience rest, fun, and connection without a glass in hand. I want to prove to myself that joy doesn’t require a buzz.

2. Romanticize the ritual
This isn’t just about removing alcohol, it’s about replacing the ritual. I’m filling my fridge with sparkling adaptogen drinks, beautiful teas, and fresh mocktail ingredients that feel special. I still want the vibe. Just not the after-effects.

3. Journal the journey
I’m starting a “sober-curious” journal to track how I feel physically, mentally, and emotionally, on the days I don’t drink. Mood, energy, clarity, confidence. I want to see and feel the shift, not just guess at it.

4. Curate my feed
I’m reshaping the energy I consume. I’ve started following more sober and sober-curious creators, not the preachy ones, but the ones who radiate the kind of grounded presence I’m craving. The kind of people that make you think, I want to feel like that.

5. Share it softly
No big declarations. No pressure. Just gentle honesty with the people closest to me. Something like, “I’m exploring a more mindful relationship with alcohol.” That’s it. Clear, calm, and true.

If you’re feeling the pull too…

You don’t need to quit forever. You don’t even need to decide. But you can start small, right now. Try one dry weekend. Swap one glass of wine for a sparkling water with some electrolytes (I love Humantra), and you actually enjoy it. Notice how your body feels after a night of full presence, no buzz required. Journal what shifts. Celebrate the clarity, even if it’s subtle. You’re not “quitting.” You’re reclaiming.

I’m not fully sober, not yet. But I’m sober-curious, deeply. And that’s where my glow-up begins: Not with rules. With awareness. With intention. With a choice to see what’s possible beyond the pour.

With honesty and love,
Louisa