Chapter 1: The Challenge of 60 Days

If you haven't seen the first part of this series, I highly recommend checking it out. As I approached the most significant hurdles of this journey, I learned that life is unpredictable—tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. It's a choice to either let circumstances defeat you or to rise above them.

Day 52 — Navigating a Breakup

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For the first time in my adult life, I experienced a breakup while remaining sober. Traditionally, I would have turned to alcohol as a way to cope or distract myself. However, I’m proud to say that I’ve chosen healthier methods to deal with my feelings. By engaging with friends and family, exercising, journaling, and creating, I’ve redirected my focus inward, significantly enhancing my resilience. Just as I once doubted my ability to fast for three days, I now can’t believe I managed to endure a breakup without drinking.

This experience has allowed me to truly process my emotions, enabling a healthier approach to healing. While acknowledging that emotional highs and lows are natural, I find myself feeling good more frequently than in the past. The breakup was amicable, yet it remains one of the toughest experiences I've faced. This journey has made it clear that I don’t need alcohol as a coping mechanism. I often reflect on how I used to drown my sorrows in drinking during my first major grief, the loss of my grandmother. Breaking that cycle is something I am incredibly grateful for.

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Taking care of my health has been paramount during this challenging time. The experience of a heartbreak is akin to withdrawal from a drug. A major realization for me is that I can walk away from this situation without regrets regarding my actions or responses towards my ex, who I still consider a friend. For the first time, I could maintain my dignity by respecting their request for space and managing my emotions. I approached the situation with clarity and rationality, avoiding any dramatic outbursts.

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I felt reassured knowing that my ex held a positive view of me, allowing me to detach from the situation personally. I was filled with self-love rather than self-loathing, which made me feel dignified. I now wholeheartedly support the idea of sober breakups. As I approach the 60-day mark, I realize that I still have time to heal properly. Emotions come in waves; while I sometimes still feel low, I understand that alcohol only suppresses these feelings rather than eliminates them.

Day 53 — Social Gatherings

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Recently, I met up with two friends at different pubs. One of my friends enjoyed a glass of red wine as per her doctor’s advice, while the other indulged in a few beers. Both were respectful of my choice to abstain from alcohol, and neither encounter triggered any temptations for me. Six months ago, I couldn’t have envisioned having these outings without at least one drink.

Looking back, I realize how unnecessary it now seems to have a drink during meals with friends, regardless of whether they were drinking or not. Not only is my share of the bill significantly lower, but my friendships have deepened. Some friends are now even questioning their own drinking habits. Surprisingly, I feel no envy when they choose to drink; instead, my sobriety has solidified our connections, making me feel comfortable in any social environment.

Day 55 — Social Invitations

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I received two invitations recently—one for farewell drinks and another for birthday celebrations. Neither host showed any concern when I mentioned I would attend but wouldn’t drink. Interestingly, the thought of attending these events no longer fills me with dread. After several sober outings, I’ve learned to manage my social anxiety, which typically requires a brief adjustment period of about 20 minutes.

The Progress Reel

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Today, I shared my first-ever progress video, showcasing the transformation from my journey over the past six months. I’ve lost 8 kg since beginning this process, becoming fitter, healthier, and more focused on my goals. This undertaking has been a significant catalyst for my growth.

Day 57 — Training Advantages

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A surprising realization has dawned on me: I no longer suffer from severe migraines or frequent cramps during workouts as I once did. While I attributed these issues to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, it has become clear to me that alcohol played a role in exacerbating these problems.

Day 59 — Facing Discomfort

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This journey has been challenging, but my healthy routines are firmly established. Today, I attended a farewell gathering for a friend moving to Malaysia, whom I met through training. I was surprised to find that most attendees were not drinking.

While I felt a bit emotionally vulnerable, I managed to stay for about two hours, which was the limit of my social energy. The loud atmosphere felt overwhelming, but I acknowledged my feelings without fear of judgment. When it was time to leave, I realized I had forgotten to take a group photo, which troubled me as I walked away. However, I decided to confront my anxiety, returning to the group to capture a memory.

Discomfort should not be feared; rather, it’s regret that we should avoid.

As I wrap up this segment of my 60-day challenge, I invite you to stay tuned for the conclusion of my journey toward 100 days of sobriety. I hope you found this post insightful. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome!

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