It’s been a few weeks since I decided to go without alcohol for the rest of the year, and while I’m still adjusting to this new phase in my life, I wanted to give you an honest update about how things are going so far. Spoiler alert: it’s not exactly what I expected.
When I started this journey, I was optimistic that cutting out alcohol would have an immediate effect on my menopause symptoms—especially those awful hot flashes and the sluggish, foggy starts to my weeks. I envisioned myself bouncing out of bed on Monday mornings, feeling sharp and energized, no longer burdened by the creeping symptoms of menopause. But reality, as it often does, has turned out to be more complicated.
The Monday Blues: What’s Really Going On?
If you’ve been following my blog, you know that the beginning of my week has always been tough. My symptoms—hot flashes, irritability, and that familiar brain fog—seem to peak just as I return to work after the weekend. In my mind, alcohol was a prime suspect. I used to enjoy a glass of wine or two on the weekends to unwind, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the effects lingered into Monday, making the start of my week even harder.
But here I am, weeks into my no-drinking experiment, and those symptoms? They’re still showing up. Not just showing up—sometimes they seem even more pronounced. I was genuinely surprised at first. I had expected the absence of alcohol to be this quick fix, as though by simply cutting it out, I would regain a sense of balance. And yet, every Monday, the same challenges surface.
So, if it’s not alcohol, what’s going on?
Stress and Anxiety: The Hidden Culprits
As I’ve reflected on these early weeks of my experiment, I’ve started to recognize that the pattern of my symptoms might be less about alcohol and more about something else: stress and anxiety. I’ve noticed that as Sunday evening rolls around, there’s this familiar sense of dread—a tightening in my chest, a fluttering in my stomach, and a growing list of to-dos swirling in my head. By Monday morning, it’s full-blown. The anticipation of another long workweek seems to throw my entire body into overdrive, exacerbating my symptoms.
And here’s the thing: while alcohol may have contributed to these feelings in subtle ways—perhaps delaying my body’s ability to process stress—it wasn’t the root cause. It turns out that a large part of what I’m experiencing at the start of the week is simply the stress of returning to a routine that feels, frankly, overwhelming at times.
Staying Hopeful: What Cutting Out Alcohol Still Means for Me
But before you think I’m about to throw in the towel and pop open a bottle of wine, let me reassure you: I’m still hopeful. Even though I haven’t seen immediate relief from my menopause symptoms, I know in my gut that cutting out alcohol is the right choice for me, long-term. Here’s why:
First of all, even if the direct link between alcohol and my symptoms isn’t as clear-cut as I thought, alcohol still adds stress to my body. From disrupted sleep patterns to a sluggish liver trying to process those weekend cocktails, alcohol has subtle, cumulative effects that go beyond the obvious. By removing it from my life, I’m giving my body a much-needed break, allowing it to recalibrate without the extra strain.
I also believe that, in the coming weeks and months, as my body adjusts to this alcohol-free lifestyle, I’ll start to see more balance in my symptoms. Right now, the stress of work might be overshadowing the benefits of not drinking, but that doesn’t mean those benefits aren’t there, quietly doing their work behind the scenes. Healing, after all, is rarely linear.
The Emotional Side of Letting Go of Alcohol
What’s also been surprising about this journey is how much of an emotional adjustment it’s been to not drink. For so long, a glass of wine was my little weekend treat—my way of signaling to myself that the workweek was over, that it was time to relax and unwind. Removing that ritual has left a bit of a void.
It’s not just the act of drinking that I miss—it’s what it represented. Alcohol was a way for me to take a break from life’s pressures, a shortcut to relaxation. Without it, I’ve had to find new ways to cope with stress, especially when those waves of anxiety hit on Sunday evenings. And that’s been…challenging.
I’ve started leaning more into other rituals—things like taking a long bath, practicing yoga, or reading a good book. But I won’t lie: there are moments when I miss the ease of reaching for a glass of wine. And I think that’s something we don’t talk about enough when it comes to giving up alcohol—the emotional and psychological adjustments that come with it. It’s not just about the physical effects; it’s about redefining how we unwind and find comfort.
What I’m Learning About Myself
One of the unexpected gifts of this experience is that it’s forced me to look more closely at the other areas of my life that are contributing to my stress. Cutting out alcohol has highlighted just how much of my anxiety comes from my work routine, my mental load, and the constant feeling of being “on.” It’s made me realize that if I want to truly feel better—if I want to lessen the intensity of my symptoms—I need to look beyond my weekend habits and start addressing the deeper sources of stress in my life.
I’m learning that menopause is about so much more than just hormones—it’s a time of profound change, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. As I navigate this phase of my life, I’m beginning to understand that true wellness isn’t about eliminating one bad habit (like drinking) and expecting everything to magically improve. It’s about making a series of small, sustainable changes, looking at the bigger picture, and, most importantly, being patient with myself along the way.
Looking Ahead: The Next Phase of My Journey
So where does that leave me? While my no-drinking experiment hasn’t brought the immediate relief I was hoping for, I’m still committed to seeing it through. I know that healing takes time, and I’m willing to give myself that time.
In the coming weeks, I’m going to continue focusing on finding healthier ways to manage my stress, especially as it relates to my workweek. I’m also going to keep experimenting with new routines to see what helps ease those Sunday night jitters and make my Mondays feel a little more manageable.
If you’re reading this and you’re also navigating menopause—or if you’re just trying to make healthier choices for your body—my advice is this: be kind to yourself. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and sometimes the benefits of our efforts take a little longer to reveal themselves. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t coming.
As for me, I’m hopeful. I may not have all the answers yet, but I know I’m on the right path. And as always, I’ll keep you updated on how it’s going.
In solidarity and strength,
Evelyn