Why a 30-Day Detox Turned Into Something Much Bigger

I never thought I’d be here—150 days alcohol-free.

When I first decided to take a 30-day break last September, it was more of a reset than a commitment. I wasn’t swearing off alcohol forever. I just wanted to feel better.

I told myself I was doing it for the usual reasons—clarity, less anxiety, better decision-making, more energy, a deeper sense of ease in my body. But underneath all of that, if I’m being really honest, I was tired of feeling like I needed alcohol to relax, to celebrate, to connect.

I was exhausted by the cycle of drinking, waking up feeling off, & wondering why I kept repeating the same pattern when I knew it wasn’t serving me.

The biggest wake-up call came when I realized how much alcohol had been affecting my anxiety. It wasn’t just the occasional hangover; it was the mental aftermath. My thoughts would spiral. My heart would race. I’d feel waves of anxiety & sometimes even panic attacks the next day.

I told myself it was normal, that the fun of the night before made it worth it, that I just needed to “push through.” But looking back now, I see how much I was gaslighting myself.

I don’t think I ever truly gave myself the space to question my relationship with alcohol. I started drinking as a teenager, & aside from short breaks here & there, I never really stopped. I never asked myself what it would feel like to live fully sober—not because I had a “problem,” but because drinking was just what you did. It was what everyone did.

It was woven into socializing, celebrating, even winding down after a long day.

But now, after 150 days, I see things so much more clearly. I feel so much more like myself. My energy is steady. My mind is sharp. My body feels stronger.

I no longer carry that subtle layer of guilt that drinking always left behind—the one that whispered, you know this isn’t actually making you feel good.

I don’t say any of this to judge anyone who drinks. I say it because I spent years convincing myself that alcohol wasn’t affecting me that much—that I was in control. And now, on the other side of it, I realize how much lighter I feel without it.

So, if you’ve ever thought about taking a break from drinking, I encourage you to try it. Not because you have to, but because you can. Because you deserve to see what life feels like without the haze. Because even just 30 days can give you a glimpse into a version of yourself that you might love more than you ever expected.

If you’ve ever gone alcohol-free or if this resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Sending love always,

Danielle