Are You Sober Curious?
As the trend of taking breaks from alcohol gains momentum globally, more and more people are exploring the benefits of sobriety. We sat down with Ellie Wraight, co-owner of JE Thrive, a fitness brand, to delve into her personal journey of abstaining from alcohol and the transformative effects it has had on her life. Ellie’s story will resonate with many who have found themselves caught in the cycle of social drinking, yet questioning its alignment with their wellness goals.
@el_wraight
How do you perceive alcohol culture and drinking habits in the UK?
In the UK, it's common for people to view alcohol in a pretty black and white way: either you're hooked on it or you're not. But from where I stand, it's not always that simple. We all have our ups and downs with it. One week, I might not touch a drop, and the next, I'm toasting at a friend's birthday or a wedding where, let's face it, it would almost be rude not to join in, especially with an open bar! Right?
Being sober myself, I have dealt with a fair amount of negativity surrounding sobriety. What are your thoughts on this?
Isn't it wild how alcohol, despite being widely recognised as a toxin, is still so socially accepted? If you choose not to partake, suddenly you're the one getting the third degree! As a fitness coach, I've seen firsthand how tough it can be for people to take a break from drinking, even when they know it could improve their health. I have had clients who are reluctant to take a break or stop drinking. For anyone who chooses not to drink alcohol, it can be difficult to deal with the pressure and questions from those around them. We're conditioned to think that cutting out alcohol is an extreme measure but it is really no different to cleaning up your diet or increasing your movement. Perhaps it's time we rethink that mindset and ease up on the pressure we put on those who opt for a sober lifestyle.
What was your relationship like with alcohol before you gave sobriety a go?
When I was 13 or 14 years old, I had my first drink. From then most of my drinking occurred at parties or social events. I was never someone who would have a glass of wine on my own. It was always a social thing for me. Not in the sense of needing ‘Dutch courage’ or confidence, but more so that it was just “the thing to do”, family and friends sharing good food and wine. When I was 20, I worked in a wine shop and studied my Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). I really enjoyed learning about the history and the flavours of wine.
Why did you stop drinking?
I stopped drinking as an experiment. Like many others, I used dry January to kick start this experiment. I never went in with the intention of giving up drinking permanently. In all honesty, that seemed a bit daunting and ‘boring’ to me back then. I planned to take a break from drinking because I felt like a hypocrite. I was a personal trainer and wellness coach. People were coming to me to better their lives and I was putting out information about how to level up your life, become more in tune with yourself and be a healthier person whilst I was still drinking alcohol. This did not sit right with me. Not to mention, at the time I had been researching the effects of alcohol and the statistics shocked me. So, I decided to give it up for 3 months as an experiment.
After these three months how did you feel?
Let me tell you... I felt amazing! As a result of this, I haven’t drunk alcohol for just over three years. The biggest changes I experienced were with my health. I saw improvements in my skin, digestion and sleep. I noticed improved concentration, my emotions were regulated, I was more creative, I had better eating patterns and better self-esteem. I also gained so much more time and the money I was saving was amazing! You might be thinking ‘good for you Ellie but my health, concentration and emotions are just fine’, well I thought so too! Feeling sub-par had become my normal, it wasn’t until I felt the change that I realised my body hadn’t been functioning optimally. My health isn’t 100% perfect, nobody is perfect, but it is leaps and bounds above where it was for so many years when I was drinking alcohol.
I’d love to hear more about how taking a break from alcohol gave you more time…
In today’s world so many of us complain that we do not have enough time. Taking a break from alcohol showed me just how much time I have. I was never a morning person, whether I had drunk the night before or not. Now I love an early morning! I realised how much time I wasted being hungover or with ‘brain fog’. Assuming you have just 2 hangovers or ‘groggy mornings’ per month, that totals to 168.4 hours a year. Just over 7 days written off for alcohol.
Wow, when you put it like that it is really wild how much time people lose from drinking (especially as most people I know have 2 hangovers a week!) How did you deal with temptation at the beginning of the journey?
I still felt the temptation at the start to have a glass of red with a roast dinner or a margarita with friends. But right now, I absolutely love not drinking!
What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in yourself?
I have become so much more productive, present, and healthy since ‘taking a break’. My goal was never to stop drinking, I just wanted to give it a go. I have found my passion, a true confidence and love for life. I started a business called JE Thrive which is all about showing others how they can truly thrive in all areas of their life. I am just as chatty, out there and bubbly as I ever was when I was drinking. Only this time its authentic and genuine. Oh and of course I am still first, and often last, on the dance floor.
Lastly, Do you have any tips for others who are interested in giving this a go?
My top tips for changing your relationship with alcohol:
Aim to try it for 90 days. If that feels like too much aim for at least a month (but I personally really felt the impact after 90 days.)
Log some stats at the start and the end of this 90 day period – weight, bowel movements, average sleep etc. to help track the positive physical impact it can have.
Write a short paragraph about how you feel generally – emotionally, fulfilment, energy levels etc. before and after the experiment.
Find a non-alcoholic beverage that you like. There are lots of great ones out there. If you are someone that feels social pressure to drink or needs a little confidence boost, having a drink in hand that looks, smells and tastes pretty much like the real thing can really help.
Before you start, know your reason for taking a break from alcohol, This can serve as a helpful reminder if you ever feel tempted. (It might change as time goes on, mine did.)
Research and follow others who can educate you on sobriety and the effects of alcohol. People I found helpful were : Andy Ramage, Rachel Hart, Andrew Huberman, Ruari Fairbairns.
@el_wraight
In a world where drinking is heavily normalised, questioning the status quo can be a radical act of self-care. By prioritising her well-being and embracing sobriety, Ellie has not only transformed her own life but also serves as an amazing example of someone living fully, vibrantly, and unapologetically sober.
