August 2021 is the last time I had a drink of alcohol.

Since then, I haven't even taken a sip.

No taste testing.

No tiny swigs.

Nothing.

Over the course of the past 9 months, I have completed multiple bachelor parties, attended several open bar weddings, and been to plenty of bars/restaurants/parties without partaking in the activity of intoxicating myself.

And I sit here writing to you this morning not as somebody who is asking you to do the same....

Not as someone who believes this is some major accomplishment that everyone should work towards...

But instead, a friend that wants to be a source of information to you, in which you may be able to improve your own life through the data gained by my experiences.

So what are the things I have learned so far?!?

I will make a bulleted list first, and then go more in depth.

1. I sleep and recover way better.
2. My digestion has improved significantly.
3. My decision making is more well thought out and quicker.
4. Less anxiety and depression.
5. More self-awareness.
6. More self-confidence.
7. Better skin.
8. Better sex.
9. Less inflammation.
10. Better overall mood.
11. Increased sports performance.
12. I could go on and on with this bulleted list.

In early 2020, I received the results of a liver test back that were frightening to me. Essentially, my liver enzymes were way off, which meant that my body was not detoxing properly. Aka causing my body to be extremely inflamed.

This made sense because my entirely life I have struggled with digestive issues, anxiety, and the inability to properly utilize the nutrients that I would ingest.

So while this test frightened me, it became my biggest clue as to why I had struggled so much with my health in my early adulthood.

Naturally, I began to personally reflect on what I was doing that had a negative impact on my liver.

And here were some of the things on the list...

1. Alcohol
2. Lack of Sleep
3. Daily sugar / processed carbs
4. Overeating
5. High stress work environment

From this list, I then dialed into the question "what could I control?"

Alcohol was the main thing.

I could choose to cut that out entirely.

Then sleep.

I could choose to invest into getting higher quality sleep, hence why I started wearing the OURA Ring and WHOOP, as well as investing in a chili-pad to keep my bed cool at night.

Then food.

I could choose to eat higher quality foods, be intentional with what I ate, and how I ate (slow down, fully chew, be grateful for the food).

Then stress.

Naturally when I focused on the things above, I started noticing my stress immediately decreased. On top of that, my brain wasn't as foggy so I could make better decisions in stressful moments. Also, I began to implement mindfulness practices to help me endure more stress, rather than using vices like alcohol to run away from my stress and anxiety.

Sounds so logical and simple right?!?

Cut out alcohol, sugar, and processed foods... and start sleeping more while building healthier mindfulness habits... and you will start to become a healthier and happier human.

Makes sense.

You wouldn't put bleach into your car engine and expect it to drive properly, right?

So why do we as humans poison ourselves with different foods and drinks?

Why do we allow ourselves to fall into the hamster wheel of modern society?

Again, this email is not about you drinking alcohol or not.

It is about my realization that my daily decision making is what was causing my unnecessary anxiety and pain.

As soon as I took complete ownership over my daily decisions, my habits began to change as well. And once I had healthier habits, my life got better.

Who doesn't want to live a better life?

It all starts with the small decisions you are making on a daily basis!

What are some small decisions that you can improve upon this week?

Go make it happen!

#thriveon

CJ

p.s. I am grateful that I learned the hard way. It has now motivated me to constantly reflect on my life and take ownership over my faults and failures.