My Journey Breaking Up With Booze

It’s Sober October, which means it’s the perfect month to cut down on alcohol if you’ve been thinking about it for a while. 

At PRESS, we talk about the benefits of juice and soup cleansing for your physical and mental health. But another reason cleansing is so good for you, is because it breaks your normal routine and helps you set new, healthier habits. 

One of these new habits is reducing (or even eliminating!) your alcohol consumption. So we sat down with our Head of International, Harriet, to chat about her journey towards giving up alcohol for good, and what she prefers as an alternative. 

What made you decide to ‘break up with booze’?

After many years of partying and hundreds of hangovers, I decided it was time to make a change. Life felt a little bit like a hamster wheel, filled with booze-fuelled social engagements most of the weekend, followed by days of feeling fragile and being riddled with ‘hangxiety’. It’s not that anything particularly terrible happened whilst I was drinking (a few embarrassing incidents here and there) but I knew that I wasn’t living my life to the fullest and in order to do so, it was time to change my relationship with alcohol. 

Tell us a little about your story with alcohol? 

Like most of us, I started experimenting with alcohol when I was a teenager (at least I think it’s most of us!?). It was clear from this early age that I had a taste for it and quite quickly developed a party girl reputation. One which I continued to live up to until I was 31! Like I said before, I wasn’t drinking daily but I definitely made up for it on the weekends. 

In October 2022 after a few days at a jazz festival in Ireland (of which I remember around 9%), I decided enough was enough. I managed to go booze free for around 7 months… before I went on holiday to the US and succumbed to the neon lights and temptations of Las Vegas. 

After another bout of boozy events, in summer 2023 I finally decided to quit for good. As I’m writing this, it’s now 9 weeks ago. I feel better than ever and have no intention of going back! 

How would you describe your relationship with alcohol now?

I feel like my relationship with alcohol is now over for good. We had a great run and some amazing, wild times together, but sadly I feel like it’s been holding me back from living my best life so we’ve gone our separate ways.

How has not drinking made you feel physically? 

AMAZING! I have more energy in the last year than I’ve had for the last 18. I am sleeping so soundly and deeply, I feel rested, calm, balanced and positive. Monday mornings are an absolute pleasure and my workouts are better. I’m fitter and stronger both physically and mentally, and my skin is bright and fresh! 

What’s your favourite PRESS juice as an alcohol alternative?

Oooooh well, I love the Berry Boost with some alcohol-free fizz, almost like a little Strawberry Bellini! Or I like to mix our Super Ginger juice with the Pentire Adrift non-alcoholic spirit for a super fresh mocktail.