It’s been a couple of weeks since I gave up alcohol for Lent and I wanted to share what that’s actually been like.

Going into it, I didn’t think I had a drinking problem. I knew I was genetically predisposed to alcoholism and had a history of binge drinking but I always thought I had it under control.

I used to get a lot of eye rolls from doctors when I talked about my drinking. I would ask, “When does a little social drinking turn into a real problem?” and they would shrug, saying I was overthinking it. For a long time, I believed them.

These past few weeks without alcohol have made me rethink that. What I thought was occasional drinking turns out to have had a bigger impact than I realized. Even if I wasn’t drinking all the time, I still binged on nights out. Four drinks in two hours? That was nothing.

The Reality of Binge Drinking

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking is four or more drinks in two hours for women and five or more for men. Even in my “tame” drinking days, I hit that mark regularly. Alcohol is everywhere in our social lives. Happy hours, dinners, brunches, game nights. It’s normalized so completely that it’s easy to forget how much it shapes our habits.

What I’ve Noticed After a Few Weeks Without Alcohol

Cutting out alcohol has been revealing.

Mental Clarity – Without alcohol fogging my brain, I’m thinking sharper and making decisions faster. No more lingering hangxiety.

Better Sleep – Alcohol disrupts sleep. Without it, I wake up refreshed instead of groggy.

Healthier Skin – Alcohol dehydrates and inflames. A few weeks off and my skin is glowing again.

Rethinking Your Relationship With Alcohol

If you’re questioning your own drinking, it’s okay. Your journey is yours alone. This isn’t about perfection or shame. Some people stop entirely. Some find moderation. The point is noticing patterns and how alcohol really affects your body, mind, and life.

For me, this experiment isn’t about absolutes. I might give up alcohol completely or I might not. What matters is paying attention, making conscious choices, and seeing the difference for yourself. Each day without alcohol is another chance to reset, feel better, and understand your relationship with it.

We are all figuring it out. That’s okay.