I’m Sober-Curious. Here’s What I’ve Learned So Far.
So here I am: 30 years old and sober-curious.
Have you heard this term? It’s the cool, new-age way of saying, “I’m interested in seeing what life is like without alcohol,” but without fully declaring yourself sober. (At least, that’s my take on it.) Today marks 39 days of being sober-curious for me, and I thought it’d be the perfect time to reflect on what this journey has been like so far.
But before I dive in, I should probably take a step back and set the stage by talking about my relationship with alcohol. Up until recently, alcohol was a social staple in my life for about 12 years. I was introduced to it in college, where, it became the “normal” thing to do on a Friday night. After college, that normal turned into a pattern. I never really drank at home, but if I was at a party or social gathering, I was usually a “yes” person. Safe to say, I often exceeded my doctor’s recommended limits. (P.S. Do you answer those questions honestly? Gotcha!)
Fast forward to 2024. It. Was. A. Year. A year filled with relationship shifts, a big move, and essentially redefining who I was. It was tough, to say the least. There were deep, painful moments, but with all that pain came incredible personal growth and reflection. I realized that many of the choices I’d made were influenced by the people around me, and alcohol was no exception. It wasn’t that I was forced into drinking; it was just normal. And at that point, I never thought twice about it. But then came the big, “Wait, why do I actually drink?” moment.
That moment also coincided with a recent diagnosis of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), which led to some shocking realizations about my health. Chronic inflammation had been wreaking havoc on my body (anxiety, acne… the list goes on!), and, surprise, alcohol is a known trigger for inflammation. Great. I knew alcohol wasn’t great for me, but I didn’t want to face the fact that my beloved vino was making things worse. So, of course, I became defensive about it. Why was I so protective of something that was literally contributing to my discomfort? It was a wake-up call.
As I sat at the close of 2024, writing up my goals for the new year, I felt this overwhelming nudge, almost like a quiet whisper in my spirit. It was like God spoke to me and said, “This is what you need to do.” I can’t fully explain it, but I knew that 2025 needed to be the year I went 365 days without alcohol. It was more than just a resolution — it felt like a calling. And with that feeling in my heart, I made the decision to embrace sobriety for one whole year. So here I am, 39 days sober-curious (for you math people, yes — I started early), and already noticing some pretty significant changes.
The part that’s a little trickier to navigate is the impact this might have on my relationships. I’d love to believe that being sober-curious doesn’t change anything about how I relate to others, but I’m starting to realize it probably will. Going to social events without drinking, or avoiding the “let’s grab a drink” routine with friends, can make you feel a bit... different. But honestly, I’m kind of embracing the change.
So what happens at the end of my 365-day experiment? Will I go back to drinking? Will I continue on this alcohol-free path? Honestly, I don’t know yet. But what I do know is that this journey is about self-discovery and breaking away from the societal norm that alcohol is a must at every gathering. It’s about making intentional choices that serve me, rather than just doing what’s “expected.” And let’s be real — being sober-curious in a world that practically encourages alcohol at every turn is a bit of a bold move.
But, I fully believe life’s too short to just go along with the crowd.
Are you sober curious?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Whether you’re already on the sober train or just curious about it, let’s chat. Drop a comment below or find me on social media @_CarolineKent. Let’s support each other on this journey of self-reflection and personal growth.
BE WELL,
CAROLINE