5 Skills to Get Good at if You Want to Quit Drinking

November 8, 2017 Natha Campanella

It took me some time to make the decision to quit drinking alcohol.

And, once I made it, I went back and forth—stopping and starting, working through doubt and conviction.

I analyzed the pros and cons, did a sh*tload of justifying (and then self-shaming), before deciding that most of the things my heart desires really are on the other side of alcohol.

There’s nothing wrong with drinking. This isn’t an issue of right and wrong. I know many people who have a manageable relationship with alcohol. They truly enjoy it and I can respect that.

But this is for the people who are tired of it and don’t quite know how to stop. Because it’s more than just “stopping drinking” and going on our merry way. Alcohol isn’t like gluten or bottled water where we’re like, “Oh, I don’t eat gluten anymore; it makes me gassy,” or, “I use stainless steel these days because plastic is toxic.” No. Alcohol is more complicated...

10 Things I've Learned From Not Getting Wasted

November 8, 2017 Natha Campanella

I stopped drinking 365 days ago.

I always thought of drinking alcohol as something I could do that would relax me, make me feel better and most importantly, help me have fun.

As someone who has always been a little prone to feeling flat and bored, alcohol seemed to shine up my edges, make life more interesting. Certainly, I felt that it made me more interesting...

I Have to Leave You Now

November 8, 2017 Natha Campanella

The truth about my relationship with alcohol is something I’ve managed to avoid for years, I’ve basically refused to look at it.

I don’t even really want to examine it right now, but it’s been up. It’s been calling me to hold it in my hands, turn it over and really look at it. It wants me to examine the texture and the flavor and the way it feels settled in my body. It wants to be seen.

Like everything else in my life wants to be seen. Like I want to be seen. And so, rather than pretend that I don’t hear the call, or avoid the request and just have a glass of wine instead, I will delve in...