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An investment in my own wellbeing – Roxanne

  • Writer: OYNB
    OYNB
  • Nov 16
  • 4 min read
Woman smiling in a colorful room with plants and wall art. Text reads: "19th October 2021, An investment in my own wellbeing, Roxanne."


“Once you stop drinking and start to move on, you can begin personal growth in your life. You can finally ask: ‘What else can I do whilst alcohol-free?’ It opens up new possibilities.”


TIME FOR A DIFFERENT APPROACH


July 3rd 2020, 5:00am.I was still at work, still drinking wine. That was my line in the sand. I knew I needed help, and I signed up to OYNB that same day.

It wasn’t my first attempt to change my relationship with alcohol. I’d tried other membership groups. I even ran away to the other side of the world and lived in New Zealand for three years. None of it worked.

Most of the approaches I’d tried before were rooted in shame and “disease” language. They made me feel guilty, broken, and labelled. OYNB felt completely different:


  • It framed change as a challenge and health upgrade, not a confession of being “the problem”.

  • It focused on society’s alcohol culture, not just on me as “an addict”.

  • It was positive, nurturing, and forward-looking, with a strong “we’re all in this together” message.


That tone was exactly what I needed.


SEEING THE BENEFITS OF BEING ALCOHOL-FREE


Once I removed alcohol, so many areas of my life started to shift.


Relationships


  • My relationships with my family improved dramatically.

  • I’m now in the healthiest relationship of my life with my partner Paul – calm, secure, and drama-free, even though he still drinks occasionally.

  • I even have a better relationship with my dog – I actually have the energy to walk him, play with him and give him real attention.

  • My social circle changed: fewer “messy” friendships, more people who are into health, fitness and growth.


Some friends still ask if I’m drinking again (which can be annoying), but I genuinely feel part of a growing wave of people choosing to live alcohol-free.


MY TRANSFORMATION – MIND, BODY, LIFE


Alcohol-free living didn’t just change how I felt. It changed who I am in my day-to-day life.


  • My self-esteem has grown.

  • My skin and weight have improved.

  • My personality is no longer tired, hungover or late – I’m present, energised and reliable.

  • I lost 10kg naturally by enjoying movement and better nutrition, not through punishment.

  • I now happily do 5k runs, long dog walks and local sea swims – all things I never managed despite years living in Brighton.


My mental health shifted, too:


  • I’m finally off anti-depressants.

  • I feel mentally and physically stronger.

  • Working with a nutritional therapist to support my liver, kidneys and vitamin levels helped my body recover and supported my weight loss.


CHANGING MY CAREER AND MY PURPOSE


Alcohol-free life didn’t just tweak my habits – it changed my direction.

Before:I ran a successful live music venue – rewarding, but late-night, high-stress and firmly rooted in alcohol culture.


Now:


  • I’m qualified in Holistic Massage and Aromatherapy.

  • I work part-time as a Recovery Co-ordinator for a local charity, helping others with their alcohol issues and continuing my own growth.

  • I created “Curious AF” nights at The Verdict (the venue I used to run): sober tasting events with guest speakers sharing their alcohol-free journeys. Same social energy, none of the booze.

  • My finances have improved – less mindless spending, more intentional choices.

  • I’ve even started learning Spanish, which I find incredibly rewarding.


Sobriety didn’t shrink my life. It expanded it.


MY EXPERIENCE OF THE OYNB CHALLENGE


I won’t pretend it was all easy.


At the start, you have to:


  • Be vulnerable

  • Be accountable

  • Feel like you’re “announcing” your alcohol-free journey to the world

The first weeks can be rough – tiredness, fear of “never drinking again”, and a kind of grief for the identity and routines that are changing. There’s a real fear of missing out.

But I treated it like exactly what it is: a challenge I wanted to overcome.

At some point, my mindset shifted from:

“I have to stop drinking.”

to

“I don’t want to drink anymore.”

That change made everything easier.


OUTCOMES I’M PROUD OF


My biggest success is simple and huge at the same time:👉 I am now a non-drinker.


On top of that:


  • I’ve built a new AF life I genuinely love.

  • I host Curious AF events and a podcast, creating spaces where people can explore alcohol-free living without judgement.

  • My mental and physical health have improved in ways I once thought were out of reach.

  • I’m actively on a path of self-reward and personal growth, not self-destruction.


I stay close to the OYNB community because it still helps me and others. Seeing people post years after their challenge, saying it was “the best decision they ever made”, is powerful.


WHY I RECOMMEND OYNB


I’d 100% recommend OYNB to a friend.

When people complain about the cost, I always think:

“How much did you used to spend on alcohol?”

I will always pay for my sobriety. To me, it’s like paying for therapy or coaching – an investment in my wellbeing and my future. That financial commitment also validates your decision and keeps you engaged.


For me, OYNB isn’t just a programme. It’s the foundation that allowed me to say:


“Once you stop drinking and start to move on, you can begin personal growth in your life. You can finally ask, ‘What else can I do whilst alcohol-free?’ – and then go and do it.”

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