Sober Curious? My Sobriety Story

In late 2019 I got “sober curious” and started drinking less and noticing more how I felt when I drank (even a glass of wine) vs. how I felt when I opted for an alcohol-free beverage instead.

This process was an intuitive one, listening in to my body and trusting my own inner knowing more than my need for social approval and to fit it.

Truthfully when I fully embraced staying sober, I noticed the social culture around drinking for the first time in my life. The society in which we live in North America is a dominant drinking culture.

Every time I opted for a glass of Perrier over wine, I was met with questions/accusations about being pregnant (I’m 34 and childless), encouraged to try something else "we have a great mojito" by random servers, and confronted with uncomfortable silences at the table. I felt more and more that I wanted to create a solid sober framework for myself …so I opted for the January 1st start to my sobriety.

It was an opportunity for me to really embrace this sober lifestyle and confidently explain my choices in a way society might embrace via a New Years Resolution.

I have not had any alcohol since January 1st, 2020.

There are so many subconscious ways in which drinking is socially expected of us, regardless of whether our behavior seems overtly “problematic” or not and for me taking this step towards a sober curious was the next obvious step in self-discovery and healing my physical body, plus I figured my anxiety may thank me too.

SO WHAT DOES SOBER CURIOUS MEAN?

Being sober-curious means questioning everything about your relationship with alcohol—including the way that we as a society view and consume alcohol. It means becoming curious about what it means to live a sober life—all the benefits and the challenges. The only way you can answer that question is to not drink alcohol.

WHERE DOES ONE START?

Being sober curious means opting for alcohol-free beverages but they don't always have to be boring I am a big fan of all the alcohol-free drinks that are now coming onto the market and have spent the last 8 months sampling so many gems.

THEN WHAT?

There are great options, so if you’re going to a social gathering where you can bring your own drink, you can bring yourself something tasty as an alternative. This helps so you don’t feel like you’ve just got to drink boring old club soda or water.

ENTER GET GRUVI

They make incredible non-alcoholic craft beverages in Canada that taste and pour just like my favorite beers and wines. I’ve grown to love their Gruvi Non Alcoholic Prosecco and their Non Alcoholic IPA plus so many other flavors. They truly believe in a world where we don't always feel inclined to drink in a social setting and a world where everyone can feel comfortable, regardless of what's in their cup.

That’s a brand philosophy and flavor I can get behind. The best part is I can get them delivered to my door in Canada through Well.ca

Being sober through a pandemic has enlightened me a lot about the ways in which we cope when times are hard…people go back to what’s comforting or familiar — whether it’s mac and cheese or wine, beer, and simple cocktails. I was confronted with the ways in which I had in the past used alcohol as a sedative as a way to take the edge off life.

I feel excited to have developed a new level of self-awareness, healing, and insights into my relationship with alcohol, and how I had used it before. I feel calmer, less anxious, and more at peace with my choices from day today.

Are You Sober Curious?

So I invite you to explore this sober curiosity even just for a few weeks if you feel inclined. You may just discover your new favorite beverage and a new side of yourself you never know.

Cheers.

Ashleigh Norris, CNP, NNCP

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