I love life each and every day! – Lisa Jones

“It’s beyond anything I could have imagined – I never knew you could live life without alcohol.”

Life before OYNB felt like living on a treadmill. I’d wake up, go through the motions of my day, then pour a big glass of Pinot Grigio at 5pm for both myself and my (now ex) husband and sit in front of the TV. We’d usually finish the bottle – or two – fall asleep on the couch, eventually crawl to bed, then wake up and do it all over again.

I was sad, uninspired, bored and felt like I had no real purpose. When we socialised, I’d swap the wine for a Grey Goose dirty martini with olives, or champagne. I loved champagne.

Finding OYNB

I’d done the odd alcohol-free month here and there and actually enjoyed it, but I was always eager to get back to my daily dose.

Heading into 2017, my husband suggested we do a dry January. I was shocked – he’s Irish, enjoys his beers, and had never wanted to join me on my AF months before. So I thought, yes, let’s do this together!

After the first three days, he gave in. I didn’t. I was committed.

That’s when I stumbled across OYNB on Facebook – and that was the beginning of the end of my drinking.

Having the Facebook group made a huge difference. I could get support from others walking the same path, read inspiring success stories and even learn from the posts where people had “fallen off the wagon”. Those cautionary tales kept me on the straight and narrow.

I also really appreciated that it wasn’t AA. I’ve never considered myself an alcoholic – I was a heavy social drinker. Not drinking had honestly never crossed my mind; alcohol was just part of the social norm I grew up in.

My dad’s best friend’s wife gave me my first drink at 14. I told her I didn’t like the taste. She replied, “I don’t either, I just gulp it down…” That became my approach too.

OYNB wasn’t just about removing alcohol – it encouraged me to get out of the house, try new activities and build a different kind of life. It was a mindset shift, not just an abstinence programme.

My alcohol-free transformation

The biggest outcome? I followed a lifelong dream and moved to Maui, Hawaii – and I got divorced after 13 years. That part wasn’t what I’d planned, but in the end it became clear: a committed non-drinker and a committed drinker can be like oil and water. I’m sure some couples make it work, but for us, sobriety shone a light on all the areas where we no longer meshed.

Physically, the changes came quickly:

• I dropped 10lbs almost instantly – the perfect amount for my already-slender frame.

• My skin cleared up.

• My sleep transformed.

I no longer woke up in the middle of the night replaying conversations or cringing about what I had or hadn’t said. Before, if I drank too much, I wouldn’t just pass out – I’d lie awake feeling dreadful, sometimes throwing up and unable to move properly the next day.

Now, one of my greatest blessings is simply waking up refreshed and ready to take on the day. The quality of sleep I get alcohol-free is reason enough never to go back. It really is beyond anything I could have imagined – I genuinely didn’t know you could live life without alcohol and still feel this free and happy.

What I’ve noticed since going alcohol-free

Growing up, my grandparents were teetotallers. As a child I remember my parents making fun of them, hiding their own drinks in mugs so they wouldn’t upset them when they visited. The message I absorbed was that only “weird”, uptight people didn’t drink – that something was wrong with you if you chose not to.

Once I stopped drinking myself, I started seeing alcohol everywhere. The advertising is relentless:

• TV, movies and magazines

• Billboards and social media

• Product placement in the most random places

Once your eyes are open, it’s honestly shocking.

Another big shift is the kind of people I now attract into my life. Most of my close circle are non-drinkers, which is amazing. At the same time, I can still go out with friends who drink and feel totally comfortable. I’ll have an alcohol-free drink or soda water and enjoy the night without feeling like I’m missing out.

I did experiment once – I had a glass of champagne on my birthday three years ago. It went down so fast and so smoothly that within 15 minutes I was spinning. I couldn’t control my body and absolutely hated the feeling. I was awake all night, feeling awful. It was such a powerful reminder: for me, alcohol really is poison. That experience made it very easy to recommit to not drinking.

The role OYNB has played

OYNB has been a huge part of my journey. I’m not an especially addictive person, so in some ways letting go of alcohol was relatively straightforward – I didn’t experience withdrawals or severe side effects. The hardest part was breaking the habit of that 5pm glass of wine.

One simple change made all the difference: I joined a yoga class at 4:30pm. By the time class finished, my desire to drink had passed.

I also loved the mini-challenges in the community – there was a 5-minute plank challenge led by a fellow member that I absolutely adored. Those little goals kept things fun and engaging.

Most of all, the stories in the Facebook group were consistently inspiring – or they served as a timely reminder of why I chose this path. I genuinely don’t think I could have maintained my willpower for nearly five years without that ongoing source of support and perspective. These days I don’t visit the group as often, but every now and then I still pop in for that jolt of positive energy and to encourage newcomers. It is hard at the beginning, and the only way through is one day at a time.

What’s next?

Honestly, I have zero interest in drinking alcohol again.

In the last few years I’ve only had 2–3 sips at my daughter’s wedding, plus that one full glass on my birthday – and that was more than enough of a reminder. I love my alcohol-free life.

It’s fun, exciting and deeply fulfilling. Now that I live on Maui, I wake up to:

• Beach yoga

• Surfing

• Hiking

• Fully present days I actually remember

And I get to love my life each and every day – clear-headed, energised and genuinely happy.

I’ve recommended OYNB to at least 50 people and I still tell people about it all the time. If my story can help even one person realise that alcohol-free life is not only possible, but better than you can imagine, then it’s absolutely worth sharing.