Having this group to take the challenge with is crucial – Tyler Davis Jones

Replacing my evening drink with something better

As a real estate broker, there was always a reason to drink. Win a negotiation? Have a drink. Lose a negotiation? Have a drink. Close on a home? Definitely have a drink.

Whether it was a good day or a bad day, I could always find an excuse to pour something. I was never a blackout, binge drinker, but I was regularly drinking 2–3 drinks a night and even more at weekends. During quarantine, it ramped up even further.

My first sober experiment

In 2019, I signed up for Sober October.

By the end of the month I felt amazing:

• My mind was clear

• My body felt better than it had in years

• I was more focused and productive

But when December rolled around, I slipped straight back into my old drinking habits.

Hitting a low point in 2020

By March 2020, I was in a bad place.

I was nervous about the pandemic, worried about my business, and found myself reaching for alcohol more and more every day. That’s when I saw an ad for OYNB on Facebook. A week later, I signed up – and I haven’t looked back since.

I’m now 195 days alcohol-free and planning to complete the full year.

My goal at the start was simple: break the automatic habit of pouring a drink as soon as I got home. I was shocked by how many times a day I felt the urge to drink – not because I “needed” alcohol, but because I was so used to the ritual.

Swapping my G&T for herbal tea

What surprised me most was this: if I replaced my routine of making a G&T with making a really nice cup of herbal tea, I still got the same relaxing ritual – just without the hangover.

I realised that for me, drinking was less about the alcohol and more about the routine, the signal to my brain that the workday was done. Once I changed the ritual, everything else started to shift.

The benefits I’ve noticed alcohol-free

Since starting my challenge, I’ve experienced so many positive changes:

• I have far more energy

• My mind is clear, which helps me be more decisive and focus on what matters most

• I’m less anxious and less worried about the future

• I sleep better and wake up easily and early (around 5am) with no hangover

• I’ve built a morning routine of reading, working out, journaling, meditating and praying before the kids wake up – real “me time” that doesn’t interfere with family time

• I eat healthier and make better choices overall

• My business is performing better than ever

• I’ve saved hundreds of dollars I used to spend on alcohol

• I’m more emotionally stable and have learned to observe my emotions instead of letting them control me

• My body is healthier and fitter – I’m down two pant sizes

• My recovery is faster (I recently had an emergency appendectomy and bounced back to almost 80% quickly)

• My skin looks years younger

• I’ve discovered alcohol-free drinks I genuinely enjoy; Athletic Brewing’s AF IPA is one of my favourites

What helped me succeed

The key to my success has been doing this challenge with a community.

Having the group there makes a huge difference. When you choose to take a break from drinking:

• Stick with it

• Check in regularly

• Share when you’re having a hard day

You quickly realise you’re not alone.

One of the most liberating realisations for me was this: nobody cares what’s in your glass at the bar. We think people are paying attention, but they really aren’t. Letting go of that belief feels incredibly freeing.

The daily emails and the Facebook community have been invaluable. On tough days, it helps so much to know there are thousands of others out there striving to live impactful, alcohol-free lives and cheering you on.

Looking ahead

Right now, I have no intention of going back to drinking.

I still enjoy making the occasional alcohol-free cocktail, but I have zero desire to wake up hungover ever again.

I’ve already recommended OYNB to many friends and colleagues and fully intend to keep doing so. This decision has improved almost every area of my life – and I’m not done yet.