How I did it: Giving up anything is not easy. Especially when it has been such a huge part of your life up to this point. On the 1st of January 2009 I have made a personal decision and challenged myself not to drink alcohol for one whole year. This was more then just a new year's resolution. This was a battle that I wanted to fight and see if I could win.

I'm not a shy person by any standards and alcohol was never anything other then a drug I used to get pleasurable feelings from. Or so I told myself. In reality alcohol was my excuse for acting stupid and doing things that I normally wouldn't have the courage to do (because of social pressures - "a sober person doesn't do that..."). But obviously I knew guys who would do stupid things sober anyway and they got away with it. Why? Because they didn't care.

So being the daring person that I am I gave it up. Cold turkey. From the moment we entered into a new year 2009 I promised myself not to drink a single drop of alcohol until the year was up.

Until few day's ago (new year's eve - after midnight) I could not remember the effect that alcohol had on me. I did remember, over the course of the year, a continuous pressure from my friends and family to drink. Everybody would encourage me to. And I absolutely loved it.

Growing comfortable with the pressure is probably the most important thing I got out of this.

There are ton's of benefits: heath, money and so on but one thing you would never thing about is the expansion of your perspective on things. Suddenly you become a lot more aware of EVERYTHING: what goes on around you and well as what goes on inside you.

Having gone a whole year without alcohol and then having my mate Steve buying me my first sambuca shot felt right. I was drinking out of choice. I've been to the other side, I experienced what it's like. It sort of makes you appreciate it a lot more.

I think that's what life is about. Freedom. Freedom to experience both sides of the coin and deciding which side suits you better. Freedom in the sense that your choices are not driven by the expectations of the society.

So go ahead! Do something outrageous this year and be proud it. Do not become a brainwashed humanoid robot who goes with all the society's norms; experience the other side first! 

Lessons & tips: Curiosity. That's what got me through this. Me being curious of what it would be like to not drink for a whole year and then have a drink. I REALLY wanted to see what effect would that have on me. (and boy, was it WORTH it)

This isn't for everyone. It takes a lot of determination. (believe me the temptation is huge) I've gone to Ibiza last summer and started collage (freshers week) few months ago. The pressures to drink on those occasions were amazing. But that's made it even more worth while.

Another HUGE benefit is that you will remember so much more of the good times! Every thing will be sharper and vivid. And you can forget about the hangovers!

Essentially this is about you and becoming a bigger person. When it comes down to doing it you are the only person who can help yourself. Sure its tough, but you have to ask yourself: how much do I want to live life and not merely exist?

Resources: Water will become your best friend.

This is now my standard line that all the bar staff know me by:

"Water with no ice...please"

And the amazing thing is you will become SO MUCH MORE HEALTHY. I once got really ill, my throat would hurt and I had a fever. But being the person that I am I still went out with my friends. I must have had about 6 or 7 glasses of water in the space of about 3 hours. By the end of the night I was feeling wonderful dancing and what not!

I do not advise this because it kind of defeats the purpose of this BUT if you feel pressured into drinking alcohol on a night out but you want to complete this goal to this: order a glass or coke or orange juice and just say it was a double vodka in it. It will get most people of your back.

Just have fun with it and don't take life to seriously!

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Jan 06, 2010, 05:48AM PST | 0 comments | 2 cheers