“I signed up and I haven’t looked back” – Sharon Hartley

I found OYNB on Facebook one Saturday night after a few wines

I signed up impulsively… and I haven’t looked back since.

I was a steady drinker — wine to unwind in the evenings, heavier drinking on weekends.Dry rosé was my go-to, and if I was tired, I’d top it up with vodka & lemonade or even Red Bull.There wasn’t one dramatic trigger. It was years of drinking socially and at home, years of doing Sober October only to undo everything in one weekend, years of feeling like I needed a longer break.

I wanted to finally experience life without alcohol, not just pause it for a month.

OYNB has completely taken me by surprise

I signed up for 90 days with zero intention of continuing past that.Yet here I am — further than I ever imagined — and it’s been easier than expected.

The Facebook group has been invaluable. It’s supportive, global, hilarious, kind, and consistently uplifting.I’ve never seen a negative comment. Not one.

And the biggest shock of all?Zero blips. No resets. No real desire to drink.

I’ve achieved more than I ever imagined since starting

• started running

• joined a new gym

• completed three 10K road races

• climbed the UK’s three highest mountains

• got involved in Park Run (and sometimes my children join me!)

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My face shape has changed, inches gone all over.I haven’t lost a ton of weight, but the dreaded mid-40s wine belly bloat is gone. My skin is glowing, my energy levels are sky-high, and my productivity — at home and at work — has exploded.

My relationships have improved immensely.I’m more present with my family and actually doing things with them… instead of waiting for “wine o’clock.”

And the sleep?Unbroken. Blissful. Better than anything I had in my drinking years.

OYNB helped me succeed by giving me a community of people just like me

The book and emails were powerful in the first month — exactly what I needed to get grounded.But as time went on, I relied more on the group, my routines, and my own momentum.

There have been zero negatives to this journey. Only positives.

I’m tired of people asking when I’ll drink again or why I’m doing this —but this life is mine.If I wanted a drink, I’d have one.

I just don’t want one.

Thanks to OYNB — and thanks to my own strength — I’m living a life I didn’t know was possible.

Here’s to 365.