Day 14: What’s Happening to My Body (and My Brain) Now That I’m Not a Human Margarita

Two weeks.

14 days.

336 hours.

20,160 minutes.

But who’s counting?

(Answer: me. Definitely me.)

Before quitting, my average week looked like this:

• 3 nights out drinking with friends.

• Waking up unrested, with a brain made of mashed potatoes.

• Making a long todo list and getting only half the list done.

Now?

Two full weeks without a single overpriced cocktail or “one glass” of wine that somehow turned into a whole bottle. And let me tell you:

Sober Me is Thriving.

Also, my body is basically throwing a tiny parade inside. I decided to reward myself by getting a pedicure, I had the husband join me (It's more fun with company), ordered a cute summer dress paired with a netted shirt. With the money I had saved the last two weeks, I felt it was justified.

I am noticing changes in my lifestyle already (other than the obvious, not drinking.).

• My todo list, I'm actually getting that shit done. No more weeding the garden, getting bored, then messaging the girls to see if they want a cocktail in 30 mins.

• I wake up refreshed. I'm no longer watching Rick and Morty until I Fall asleep. I am reading The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley until the words begin to repeat themselves. I'm waking up around 7am- without the alarm even going off! I've always wanted to be a morning person but could never get enough sleep and would ultimately just lay in bed until I finally just had to get up.

• I have been putting myself first. I'm not selfish. I just am making sure to have some quiet time for me. I sit with my coffee in the morning on the porch and just enjoy it. I take a salt water bath, I manicure my nails, or read on my kindle for a bit when I have a spare minute, I try to live in the moment and not think about a million other things while on a walk. I'm able to just be a person, chillin' , putting one foot in front of the other.

• I feel motivated. I am taking my vitamins every day (Usually I suck at that.) I've been on top of emails and I have been prepared when I show up for my appointments at the studio (thanks to not being hungover). My Husband and I laugh more, argue less. He tells me he is proud of me and he listens to me rant about the new things I've been reading about sobriety . I've been feeling more confident. I had my first non-alcoholic Margarita at lunch (it was nice, not the same, but nice.) I've been feeling proud of my choices. I've been feeling better about... being me.

Here’s the real deal on what’s happening at the two-week mark:

The Physical Facts (aka “Science Is cool AF”)

• Liver: That poor organ you’ve been waterboarding with vodka? It’s finally getting a coffee break. Liver enzymes start to normalize, meaning it can actually do what it’s supposed to — like filter your blood instead of begging for mercy. Amen.

• Brain: Hello, clarity! Brain fog is starting to lift. Decision-making skills improve.

(Which is why I haven’t impulse-bought a pet parakeet (I kinda want one though) or forgot my IPad at home for the second time this week.)

• Sleep: REM sleep starts making a comeback. Translation: you’re finally sleeping like a real human instead of tossing and turning like a gas station hot dog on a roller (I don't miss that.)

• Gut Health: Your digestive system stops being pissed off at you 24/7. Bloating reduces. Your jeans feel slightly less like medieval torture devices. I am less bloated. I still weigh the same. A whopping 148lbs at only 5'1" meaning I could spare to lose about 15lbs but I'm working on that. Weighing the same as I did when I was drinking isn't discouraging me (yet) because I can physically see changes in my tummy. My shorts fit better and I feel really cute in this dress that made me feel awkward last time I squeezed into it.

• Skin: Baby glow incoming. Dehydration lines start to fade. There is a reduction in inflammation, leading to a more plump and radiant complexion (STWAP IT.) I still (even at 30 years old) have the skin of a teen going through puberty, acne has been something I have always had to deal with and believe me- I have tried it all. Turns out being sober is the golden ticket! There has been less new pimps coming to join the party and the old red marks from my obsessive compulsive popping days are starting to disappear, my eyes are less puffy and I'm lookin' good.

• Heart Health: Blood pressure starts to lower. (Goodbye, random heart palpitations after speed walking to my car!)

⸻

The Emotional Reality

• Mood swings? A little, over all It feels better but the truth is that your mood should level out and feel more contestant at week 3-6. And I am not there yet. I can wake up in a good mood then half way through my morning I get snippy and wish I could just stay home and pretend to be a cat.

• Anxiety? Weirdly lower. I thought alcohol helped my anxiety… turns out it was actually feeding it. I'm feeling more confident when talking to others and in my actions. 

• Pride? THROUGH THE DAMN ROOF.

Seriously, two weeks might not sound like much to some people, but to me, it’s monumental. Especially when you realize you used to treat a Tuesday like it was a tail gate for a football game.

⸻

Real Talk: How It Actually Feels

It feels insane to realize how much energy I have when I’m not trying to survive my own bad habits.

It feels weird to go out with friends, order a mocktail, and still have a great time (I've done this twice now!).

It feels hard some days — like when your brain tries to convince you that “just one drink” won’t hurt. I almost sabotaged myself Friday but held strong and ordered a seltzer with lemon instead.

But mostly?

It feels powerful.

Like I’m finally sitting in the driver’s seat of my own life — and this time, I’m not a couple drinks behind the wheel singing with Avril Lavigne.

If You’re Wondering If It’s Worth It…

It is.

Your body starts healing faster than you'd think.

Your brain starts thanking you in ways you forgot were possible.

You start feeling a completely different type of high.

It's innocent and sweet and wonderful.

Two weeks down.

14 Days.

Wild.

-Flora