“This has been the most effective, impactful, rewarding experience” – Sarah Anderson

“Change is uncomfortable and there were obstacles I faced, but where there is change there is also massive growth.”

From social drinking to self-medicating

Growing up, alcohol felt normal and inevitable. It was everywhere in Sarah’s world:some people drank regularly, some eventually got sober, a few avoided it altogether. As a teen, she looked forward to the legal drinking age and started sneaking drinks early—not because she liked the taste (“alcohol tasted gross”), but because it helped her:

• Feel included at social events

• Seem confident instead of shy

• Play the role of the happy, carefree girl

Then life got very hard, very fast.

Between ages 20 and 21 she experienced three major traumas:

• A miscarriage, emotionally and physically devastating

• Witnessing a suicide from just a few feet away

• A violent date rape that left her bruised, humiliated and deeply depressed

Alcohol became a way to self-medicate and to maintain the façade of being “happy-go-lucky” while inside she was struggling.

Realising something had to change

A few years later, she met the love of her life—and that changed everything.For the first time since 21, she started to care about her future again and could see that her drinking habits didn’t fit the life she wanted.

By February 2nd, 2020, she’d had enough of:

• Anxiety-ridden, unmotivated days

• Using alcohol as a coping mechanism

• Carrying hate, pain and self-loathing

She wanted real excitement again, not the numbness alcohol offered.

Joining OYNB and facing the hard parts

An OYNB ad on Facebook had been in the back of her mind for months.Twenty-eight days felt too short; 365 felt impossible. So she chose the 90-day challenge as the first serious step.

Her goals:

• Break old habits and build healthy new ones

• Improve productivity and mental health

• Heal relationships and move life forward

The reality? Change was uncomfortable:

• A full week of intense irritability

• Old trauma resurfacing in waves

• Poor sleep for the first month, even while having more energy than on Day 1

But instead of drowning everything in alcohol, she sat with her emotions and listened to what they had to say.She processed things she’d avoided for years, including being sober for her aunt’s death anniversary for the first time.

When she eventually shared her journey publicly on social media, the response was overwhelmingly supportive and opened honest conversations with friends stuck in their own cycles.

Life on the other side

The results have been powerful:

• No hangovers

• Noticeably reduced depression and anxiety

• Bad days still happen, but she bounces back quickly

• Cravings show up as fleeting thoughts rather than overwhelming urges

She sees visible changes too:

• Less puffiness, brighter skin

• Stronger nails, clearer eyes

• Weight loss and more time for self-care and fun (yes, including blue/green hair)

But the most important shifts are internal:

• Processing trauma without alcohol

• Letting go of hate and powerlessness

• Finding genuine forgiveness and a sense of freedom

“I am free. I am healing.”

Why OYNB made the difference

For Sarah, OYNB provided both structure and community:

• Daily emails with prompts, questions and tools for self-reflection

• A close-knit, inspiring community of people from all walks of life

• New friendships she’d never have made without taking the leap

Somewhere along her 90+ days, she revisited the core question:

“On what terms do I want alcohol in my life—if at all?”

Now past Day 102, she’s extended to 365 days to give herself more time to:

• Keep improving every area of life

• Make a clear, intentional decision about alcohol based on who she is now

Her message to anyone “sober curious”

“This is the best decision I’ve ever made for myself and my overall well-being.”

Sarah recommends OYNB to:

• Anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol

• Anyone wanting to take a break or reset

• Anyone who’s simply curious what life might feel like without drinking

Every journey is different—but you only find out what’s possible when you’re willing to step onto a new path.