One of the hardest things I have done in my life, but also one of the most transformative and meaningful.
I had been a drinker from about the age of 14. As I got further into my 30s I was drinking almost daily, a few drinks as a matter of habit and the main way I managed stress. Around the time COVID hit I had seen a piece on OYNB with Ruari and thought huh that sounds interesting. A few months into COVID after many nights spent drinking to calm my fears and studying the data coming in about it, I realised if I didn’t get my health back on track, I likely would not survive contracting COVID. So, I signed up for the 28-day challenge.
Committing to 365-days
I drank for another week or so after completing that and read a post by a man who said he gifted himself the 365 for his 50th birthday. I was coming up on my 39th in a few days and decided to do the same for my 40th and never looked back. I turned 40 and hit my OYNB the same day.
When I started I only planned on doing the 28 day challenge. I did that and it was hard, but I noticed that there was a lot of talk about abstaining for longer periods of time. I joke that 28 is only the hook, 90 gives you a better idea, but 365 is really what is needed to have a choice in the matter of whether you want to go on to be a drinker or non-drinker. One of the hardest things I have done in my life, but also one of the most transformative and meaningful.
My entire lifestyle has changed!
I now get up early before everyone else and meditate as well as engage in physical activity. I have been able to consistently add resistance training, yoga and walking. I am lighter, clearer, more curious and more in tune with everything. I am now awake and living every moment.
There were a couple key videos and resources early on that had a major impact, and of course the Facebook group is invaluable. The habit loop video was a game changer for me on Day 2, and I encourage people to revisit it often. Being in the group of people who had succeeded and had all kinds of ideas and resources was and still is priceless.
An entrepreneur and former senior oil broker, Ruari gave up drinking after excessive consumption almost cost him his marriage, and worse, his life. Going alcohol-free improved his relationships, career and energy levels, leading to him founding OYNB to provide a support network for others.
