Uncorking a New Chapter: Why I’m Going Alcohol-Free (And Why It’s the Best Souvenir I Brought Back from India)

Let’s get one thing straight—I was never much of a drinker. Before COVID, I didn’t even keep alcohol in the house. A glass of wine was a social thing, something I enjoyed on occasion, but not something I thought much about.

Then came love.

And with love (Joris) came wine. And cheese. And candlelit conversations stretching late into the night, often with a perfectly curated charcuterie board. I didn’t suddenly become a daily drinker, but the ritual of it—the comfort, the connection—became a more regular part of my life.

And then came COVID.

Suddenly, boxed wine was a perfectly reasonable grocery store purchase. And let’s be honest—when your social life shrinks to the size of your living room, a glass (or two) in the evening doesn’t seem like a big deal. It started as a novelty (“Who’s up for a quarantine cocktail hour?”), then became routine (“What even is time anymore?”), and before I knew it, my once-in-a-while social drink had turned into an almost nightly ritual.

Then life opened up again. And my life? Well, it really opened up.

The Trouble with Champagne Sunsets & Travel Hangovers

Running Grit & Grace Adventures means I get to experience some of the most breathtaking places on the planet. But it also means I live in a world where wine tastings, welcome cocktails, and long dinners with flowing glasses of something delicious are just part of the rhythm. Last year alone, I traveled from Morocco to Costa Rica (multiple times), Greece, Turkey, Italy for my wedding, Portugal for my honeymoon, back to Costa Rica, and home for Christmas and New Year’s.

And we all know how the holidays go.

By the time the holidays rolled around, I was what I would call dysfunctional. Exhausted. A little burnt out. And drinking often—not excessively, but enough that it had become a habit, something I reached for without thinking. My sleep was awful. My energy was nonexistent. My mood was all over the place.

So when I left for India—a place I had dreamed of going for years, to immerse myself in deep yoga study and reconnect with myself—I didn’t just leave behind my daily life. I left behind alcohol.

Not intentionally. It just wasn’t part of the experience.

After a month of no alcohol, regular movement, deep reflection, and simple, nourishing food—I felt like a completely new person.

And now, it's been just about three months and I've never felt better, not to mention less "puffy"

The Hard Truth: Alcohol Was Making Everything Harder

I didn’t go to India to quit drinking, but after stepping away from it, I can now see how much it was weighing me down. And once I started connecting the dots, it all made sense:

• Alcohol is a hormone disruptor – Which, in midlife, is already doing a full-blown circus act. More estrogen spikes, more cortisol (stress hormone) in my system, more of that puffy, inflamed feeling.

• It wrecks sleep – And not in an oops-I-stayed-up-too-late kind of way, but in a why am I awake at 3 AM staring at the ceiling kind of way.

• It fuels exhaustion – When you’re already running on fumes (hello, my entire schedule last year), alcohol just digs the hole deeper.

• It makes burnout feel even worse – Instead of recharging, I was reaching for something that was actually draining me further.

So, Do I Think This Will Be Hard?

Yes.

Because I’m about to step right back into the whirlwind: Bali, Greece, Botswana, Costa Rica, and then back to Bali. The world I move in is full of champagne sunsets, celebratory toasts, and endless “just one glass” moments. And let’s be honest—when you’re surrounded by it, it’s easy to go along with the flow.

But here’s the thing: The alternative is just not an option for me anymore.

I don’t want to go back to feeling like I did before India. The exhaustion, the sluggishness, the something’s just off feeling. I don’t want to wake up tired, struggle through jet lag, or feel like I’m constantly playing catch-up with my own body.

I want to feel clear. And strong. And fully present in every experience, not numbed out or running on half-energy.

And Just to Address the Obvious…

Am I replacing my wine glass with something else? No. The whole point isn’t to swap one vice for another.

That said, I may have found that an occasional little something else can be a nice way to unwind. And even though it’s been legal in Canada for years, it’s hilarious how many women will confess they enjoy a gummie—but only in hushed whispers, like they’re sharing state secrets.

Why I’m Sharing This (And Why It’s Not About Judgment)

I’m not here to tell anyone to quit drinking. I have zero interest in being preachy about this. This isn’t about alcohol being bad—it’s about me realizing it just wasn’t doing me any favors anymore.

If that sounds like something you’re curious about, great. If you love your glass of wine and it brings you joy, also great. The beauty of this phase of life is that we finally get to make choices for ourselves—without apology.

For me, that means swapping the wine glass for a clearer, healthier, more vibrant version of myself.

And let’s be honest—wine or no wine, I’m still going to be the last one dancing at the party.

In friendship, and adventure

Penny