Rethinking Alcohol: What Happens When You Give Yourself the Space to See Clearly?
A few weeks ago, I asked a simple question on LinkedIn:
“Are you starting to rethink your relationship with alcohol?”
The response was telling, not just in numbers, but in what it says about where many high performers are finding themselves.
📊 Here’s what the poll revealed from 56 votes:
54% said “Yes, I’m already cutting back”
23% said “I want to drink less”
7% are “sober curious”
16% said “Not right now”
That means over three-quarters of people who responded are either actively reducing or reconsidering their alcohol intake. Not because of a rock bottom moment but because they’re curious about what life might feel like on the other side of the default glass of wine, the post-work pint or the social ritual that never gets questioned.
I wrote more about this in a previous article where I explored the cultural blind spot we often have when it comes to alcohol. Especially in leadership circles, where stress is high, connection often feels thin, and performance becomes a mask for pressure.
I’ve just started a month of being alcohol free
Why? Because when I did it before, it made me feel amazing, and I want to see if it does the same again. No drama, no “I’ll never drink again" cr*p, because maybe I will have one or two in the future, but just through curiosity and to watch the data through my Whoop band (because we all know, the numbers never lie!)
And here’s what I noticed after just 6 days of being alcohol free this week:
Better sleep. Not just quantity, but depth. Last night, I had the best sleep I’ve had in over six months! Coincidence? Possibly, but I suspect not (and it was friggin boiling!!)
More energy. My recovery scores (thanks to my Whoop band) improved, even in hot weather. But more than that, I felt it, especially on coaching days when I needed to be fully present for my clients.
Sharper thinking. Less of the mild anxiety I didn’t even know was lurking. More presence in conversations.
More alignment. With my values, the way I want to lead, and the habits I coach others through.
This isn’t about shame, it’s about experimentation.
See how you feel when you give yourself a break.
This isn’t an anti-alcohol campaign. It’s a pro-you campaign!
What happens if you pause the autopilot? What do you notice about your body, your energy, your mood and your sleep? What decisions feel easier? What emotions become clearer?
You don’t need to label yourself anything. Just get curious.
If you’re someone who wants to explore this more deeply, to look at your habits, identity, lifestyle choices and how all of that connects with your leadership, that’s where coaching comes in.
Many of my clients come to me wanting to perform better at work. But often, what we unlock has less to do with their calendar and more to do with their behaviour patterns in their life. This is exactly why I created Built For More: to bring lifestyle and leadership together in one single coaching package, which looks at everything.
Drinking is just one lens. We also look at:
Sleep quality
Energy rhythms
Stress recovery
Movement and exercise
Purpose and identity beyond the role
If you’re curious to see how powerful it can be to make small changes that unlock major shifts, let’s talk.
🔗 Book a Free Discovery Call or drop me a DM - no pressure, just a conversation to see what coaching could unlock for you.
Sometimes, you just need the space to see what’s possible.
