What does more of the same get ya?

I read recently in this nifty little book called YouSquared “more of the same usually just gives you more of the same”.

Absolutely.

When I think of breakthrough moments in my life it is all from doing things differently than I was before.

When I was trying to lose weight, I didn’t continue to let the treadmill drag me along where I had been meandering for 6 months. Instead I joined a group strength training class and took the walks outside.

When I wanted to cut out sodas, I didn’t obsessively think about all the sodas I couldn’t have. I started the habit of carrying around a reusable water bottle with me at all times.

When I wanted to change my diet, I didn’t obsess over every calorie, I added more of the good stuff (greens, good fats, ect..) so there wasn’t as much room for the bad stuff.

When I decided alcohol was no longer serving me, instead of white knuckling it through another crazy bedtime routine with my kids without wine to “relax” me, I threw them in the stroller and went for a walk or put them in front of the screen. They ate sandwiches for dinner “on-the-go”, popsicles in the bathtub or watched movies through “wine-30”.

I knew my triggers, and the biggest one was the switch from a busy day that crescendoed at 5 o’clock. That is when the three hours until bedtime countdown begins; busily rushing around making dinner, cleaning messes, packing lunches whilst two boys are running rogue around my legs shooting imaginary bow and arrows at each other. The elusive perfect family dinner of deep conversation and connection is replaced with the reality of my arms stretching and twisting like the green Gumby toy trying to keep kiddos in their chairs.

Wine was my reward, my backstage pass to finally soak in the day.

I had a strong sense that drinking my nightly reward was forming a pretty solid habit and was leaving me exhausted. I’d been partaking in alcohol for just about any emotion for years, and the idea of breaking it off with the only thing that consistently made me feel happy was terrifying. But I also knew it really wasn’t making me feel happy...not by a long shot.

I had done many cleanses throughout my life, as well as a couple of stints pregnant where I didn’t drink, but it always ended in “celebrating” with wine.

This time I tried different. I knew in my heart-of-hearts that more of the same would get me more of the same.  Instead of putting massive amounts of restrictions, and rules around my drinking like I had done many times before, I just quit instead. For many they may choke on their wine spritzer as they read this, because this sounds like a major rule and restriction. On the contrary, it was liberating, is liberating.

My initial goal was 100 days without alcohol. After 45 days I knew the liquid I once considered the nectar of the gods, was now more like an artificial sweetener.  The false joy, relaxation, and relief I thought it provided was just alcohol’s toxic abilities monkeying with the neural networks in my brain.

Alcohol is no longer the controller of my life, but you will never know who truly is in control until you take an extended break from alcohol.

You know more of the same thing you are doing right now, will give you more of the exact same thing it has been giving you.

Take the leap of faith.