OYNB is the best. I would not hesitate to recommend OYNB to anyone and everyone!!
I joined OYNB 2 years ago after an especially heavy Sunday afternoon out with friends that went on well into Sunday evening. You know the afternoon I mean. The anticipation of going out is almost as good as actually going out. I was out with girlfriends, I was having an amazing time, I was making new friends, I loved being centre of attention.
Fast forward to the next day
I didn’t remember most of the day before, I hadn’t made new friends at all. I had just foisted myself upon people in a loud obnoxious way when all they wanted was a quiet Sunday afternoon drink. I was embarrassed, I had to check I hadn’t sent silly texts and worst of all was my hangover.
A friend had mentioned OYNB a few weeks previously and I had seen several adverts showing how people had changed their lives by simply not drinking.
Could I do this?
I signed up for the 28-day challenge. I must explain that I wasn’t a daily drinker but a weekend drinker whose weekends started on a Thursday night and finished on a Sunday afternoon. While I completed the 28 days and thoroughly enjoyed it, I went straight back to my old ways. I then did 70, 90 and many more alcohol-free stints but I always seemed to revert back once I had finished.
This time something has changed
I am currently on day 80 and I seem to have had a mind shift. I don’t want to drink. What have I done differently? Well I have read every single email from the OYNB team. I have joined in with the group more. I have taken on board every single piece of advice given to me through the OYNB Facebook members and I have read all the quit lit. I booked myself a challenge, as suggested, which was a 3-hour paddle board lesson. I loved it, so much so that I bought a paddle board with the money I have saved from not drinking. I couldn’t have done this without OYNB so thank you.
In the last 80 days…
I have got up early to watch the sunrise. I got up extremely early to do a charity run. I have learned how to paddle board, I have spent special and enjoyable time with my children and husband. I have got more out of my exercise, I am sleeping better, my skin looks much healthier, I have lost half a stone, I have made friends through OYNB and my confidence is much better.
In the last 80 days I have not missed waking up at 3am with a hammering heart, blacking out, being sick, feeling ashamed and embarrassed. I haven’t had a panic attack; I haven’t rung in sick at work and I haven’t fallen out with anyone because of my obnoxious attitude when drunk.
What's next?
I hope to carry on with this journey to 365 days alcohol-free. I am looking forward to AF holidays and not seeing my anxiety return. I don’t want to go down the slippery booze filled slope again.
OYNB is the best. I would not hesitate to recommend OYNB to anyone and everyone!! I know that if I was struggling someone would be there to help me whether that be the team via email of the group on FB. Thank you all.
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.
