96. Why I’m going alcohol free for the rest of 2023 (Solo)

Trigger warning: Addiction Welcome to Episode 95 – Why I’m going alcohol free for the rest of 2023 For the past couple of months I have been undertaking a change in my diet and lifestyle that has been a long time coming. Alcohol has been a part of my life for a very long time and the ways it has influenced my life have changed over the years. But at the age of 40 I have decided to make a change and try cutting it out of my life. There are several reasons for doing this and in this episode I want to dive deep into my experience with alcohol and explain how I’ve been going with this recent change.   In this episode, I share: -      The realisation I had about alcohol on my 40th birthday -      The scary association my kids were making with my beer consumption -      Just how difficult it was not drink on AFL Grand Final Day -      Where my relationship with alcohol started -      The way people told me alcohol made me funny and the impact that had on me -      How I used alcohol to cope with my mental illness -      The problems my drinking caused when I entered the workforce -      The things I'm doing now instead of drinking -      My advice and tips for what to do to make a similar change for yourself   Key quotes: “So every time we would go drinking I would make an effort to get pretty drunk with the hope that people would see me and say yeah Simon you’re so funny.”   “Drinking alcohol puts a band aid on my pain.”   “Switching beer for Cacao. Half time would normally come and I’d be pretty plastered but this year I cooked up Cacao.”   Help services for addiction If you are struggling with alcohol and would like some help you can find some information through Alcoholics Anonymous: https://aa.org.au/   If you are struggling with anything you can always start with Lifeline by calling 13 11 14 and they may be able to direct you to a specific service to help as well.   For more from Mindful Men Check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au   Join the Mindful Men Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594   You can also follow us on social media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus Instagram: @mindful.men.aus Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help*** Cheers, Simon