One day a couple of years ago, I distinctly remember waking up from an intense day of drinking that went into the night. I awoke in my apartment, miserably hung over and peered at a rigorous “to do” list that I had made on my phone. Based on the splitting headache, crippling anxiety, and utter exhaustion that I was feeling… I knew that none of this would get done.
The Change
I cannot express how much has changed since I started this the OYNB Challenge. First and foremost, this experience has coincided with a spiritual shift in my life. I now deeply understand the value of pursuing long-term wellbeing instead of constant short-term gratification. I had to come to terms with the fact that lacking short-term gratification means that you have to feel the discomfort that perhaps you used to numb. This is the most challenging piece of going alcohol free.
OYNB & Our Community
The best part about One Year No Beer has been the community. When I had good days and felt capable of supporting others, it felt good to do so. And of course, when I was having a hard time and struggling to see the path forward, they did the same for me. It always helped to know that other people had felt trapped AND to see they had managed to push through. I also loved the videos put together by the OYNB team. They offered great insight into healing and understanding us as whole people who are allowed to feel our feelings and not run from them. I am very grateful for this challenge and highly recommend it.
An entrepreneur and former senior oil broker, Ruari gave up drinking after excessive consumption almost cost him his marriage, and worse, his life. Going alcohol-free improved his relationships, career and energy levels, leading to him founding OYNB to provide a support network for others.