Key to Thriving: How a Vision Can Help Enjoy Less Alcohol
“I can’t imagine a life without alcohol.”
Can you relate to this comment? Or perhaps you can imagine a life without alcohol but can’t see yourself being happy in that life—I have been there.
If there’s one thing many excessive drinkers have in common, it’s that as much as we want to change the way we drink, deep down, we don’t see how we can have what we want in life without alcohol. This presents a challenge: we can’t get to where we want to be when we can’t see it in our mind’s eye.
From Excessive Drinking to Sobriety: Seeing Through a Thick Fog
If you have ever tried to drive through a dense fog without headlights, you know how impossible it is to get to the destination without a clear view. This is what it’s like to try to create a better life without a clear vision. When drinking frequently, we find it hard to have a clear vision of a better life in sobriety. Alcohol can keep our focus only on the next drink, blurring our view of the future and making it hard to envision a life where we thrive.
Moreover, our idea of a “sober life” is often shaped by the media’s portrayals—unappealing and discouraging. We see images of dull, joyless existence, opposite to the vibrant life we wish to live. We end up stuck in the thick fog, unable to see the path to a fulfilling life with limited alcohol—I have been there.
Thrive in Sobriety: Starting with Crafting Your Vision
Creating a “Thriving in Sobriety” Vision is like turning on those headlights in the fog. I first came across this term in the book The 30-Day Sobriety Solution by Jack Canfield when I was trying to regain control of my alcohol use.
Jack defines sobriety as “moderation in or abstinence from consumption of alcoholic liquor or use of drugs.” In other words, the emphasis of this vision is not complete abstinence, but a state of being where you are thriving. When I tell my clients that I owe at least half of my sobriety to the creation of my own Thriving in Sobriety Vision, they often think that I am exaggerating. But I wasn’t—the power of a clear vision is backed by science, and here is how it works.
Trusting the Vision: The Power of the Reticular Activating System (RAS)
Speaking of the power of vision, we have to talk about the Reticular Activating System (RAS). The RAS is a network of neurons in the brainstem that plays a key role in regulating wakefulness, arousal, and attention. Like the brain’s gatekeeper, it helps us filter out unnecessary information and highlight what’s important.
When we have a clear vision and hold that vision in mind, our RAS becomes engaged in a way that helps us to turn it into reality. Here is how it works:
Focus and Attention: The RAS is like a personal assistant who helps you concentrate on your goal and filter out distractions and irrelevant information. As you hold in mind your sober vision, suddenly, you start noticing more articles about mindful drinking, mocktail recipes, and healthy living. Your brain is primed to spot these opportunities because they align with your vision.
Filtering Information: Think of the RAS as a highlighter in a book filled with text. As you define your vision, the RAS highlights relevant information, making it stand out amid the noise. This means you’re more likely to notice and seize opportunities that support your journey toward your vision, such as fun alcohol-free events or new hobbies that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Goal Achievement: Like an internal GPS, the RAS guides you toward your desired destination. When your vision includes fostering better relationships, you may find yourself more attuned to moments where you can connect meaningfully with others. This heightened awareness helps you build stronger, more supportive relationships that align with your vision.
Reinforcing Positive Behavior: Visualization and affirmations are both simple yet effective ways to engage the RAS. By regularly visualizing your Sober Vision and repeating positive affirmations, you reinforce the neural pathways that support your goals. This practice increases your resourcefulness, making you more resilient in the face of challenges, and prepares your brain to make choices that align with your vision.
Taking the First Step: Creating Your Effective Sober Vision
To conclude, a “Thrive in Sobriety” vision engages your RAS—it allows you to stay focused, filter out distractions, and seize opportunities that align with your goals.
With a thoughtfully crafted vision, you may find that the path ahead suddenly becomes clearer, and a balanced, fulfilling life with limited alcohol consumption becomes possible.
If you are ready to leverage the power of your brain to rediscover happiness and find joy where you drink less without living less, that’s what we do in the Sober Curious Society.
Join us for our upcoming Live Workshop + Support Group: “The Power of Vision: Reimagine a Thriving Life with Limited Alcohol,” on Monday, August 19th, 2024. In this session, I will guide you to craft your unique “Thrive in Sobriety Vision” and bring yourself closer to your ideal relationship with alcohol, whether that is complete sobriety, mindful moderation, or anything in between.
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