Looking at your relationship with drinking and deciding to make a change can feel incredibly difficult, especially when alcohol is part of the world around you. But the most important thing to know is that you are not alone.

Magda Mynette, a working mum from Worcester, wants to share her story in the hope that it inspires others to take that first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

She said: “My journey began back in 2022 when I was experiencing disrupted sleep. I tried everything to prevent mid night wakings and soon realised there was a pattern; sleep was always worse when alcohol was involved. I decided to stop drinking at weekends, and almost immediately my sleep improved. I had more energy, and that sparked a growing curiosity about sobriety.

I then set myself a rule to only drink on special occasions. But with a lower tolerance and a mindset of ‘making the most of it’, I ended up drinking to excess and suffering for days afterwards, feeling tired, forgetful and emotionally flat. I knew I needed to break the cycle and rethink my relationship with alcohol.

After one Friday in July 2024, when birthday drinks led to a monstrous hangover, I decided to stop drinking altogether for 100 days. I began with gritted teeth and full determination, but I honestly wasn’t sure I could stick to it.

I had no sober friends and most of my social life centred around alcohol, meals, walks with pub stops, birthdays, nights out, mum meet ups, family occasions, Sunday dinners, Christmas. Alcohol was everywhere, woven into my life in ways I had never noticed.

I’d done Dry January before, but it was the 100 days that changed everything. The constant mental chatter, Will I drink? How much? What will I have? finally went quiet. That silence gave me space to focus.

Unexpected benefits followed. I became more mindful, managed my diet and exercise more consistently, felt stronger, saw improvements in my skin and weight, and saved money on drinks and taxis. One hundred days was long enough to feel the benefits, hear positive feedback from loved ones, and start using my energy on things that lifted me up rather than drained me.

Looking back, as a working mum of two young children, alcohol had felt like one of the few ways left to ‘treat’ myself. It was a link to the freedom and youth I thought I was losing. But in reality, it was taking far more than it gave. Removing alcohol helped me notice early symptoms of perimenopause, some of which had been amplified by drinking.

One of the most powerful moments came from my daughter. Out of the blue she said, ‘I am proud of you, Mum,’ and told me that she feels safer when I’m not drinking. I had assumed my children wouldn’t notice, as I’ve only drunk alcohol socially at weekends and even that was relatively moderate, but they do.  Although it was me doing the drinking, it was directly impacting their lives, through my mood, energy, what we did or did not do and they noticed the difference.

I’m now nearing 500 days alcohol free (something I never planned) but the benefits to my health, wellbeing, relationships and energy are simply too good to give up. I want to set an example for our kids so they can make their own informed choices about alcohol in the future.

Today, I feel free. Alcohol is no longer something I rely on, it’s simply an option, and right now, I choose not to drink. That choice has given me back more than I ever expected.”