Alcohol may not be an issue for you personally, but I can almost guarantee that you know someone who struggles with alcohol, and might even benefit from living alcohol-free.
Here’s the thing: alcohol is so glorified in our culture that, if you struggle, you’re likely to feel deep shame as a result. I wanted you to hear from my guest today, Steve Wilt, because he has always looked so successful.
He never experienced that rock-bottom that so many people describe before they decide their life would be better living alcohol-free. Even though he was living a great life—succeeding professionally and personally—his life got so much better when he gave up alcohol.
Today I invite you to consider how the habit of alcohol impacts your relationship, and, thus your life.
It’s difficult to be alcohol-free in a culture that glorifies drinking
In so many ways, our culture revolves around alcohol. This creates feelings of shame in living alcohol-free. Where does an alcohol-free person fit it?
The instant we articulate this out loud, we know it’s ridiculous, right? Of course people don’t need to drink to be welcomed. And this is where we break that cycle of shame.
If was fascinating to me that, the instant Steve shared his struggles with his wife, she was on board to support him. But prior to his sharing, she didn’t even see the problem.
You know your own body. You know if alcohol is shortening your fuse, or making you lethargic.
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Will an alcohol-free life help you notice the details in your relationship?
In the relationships I see, there isn’t a raging, angry, bad-behaving alcoholic.
It is much more subtle. It’s the promises broken. The welcoming embrace that gets forgotten.
Alcohol dulls your senses.
I believe the key to a strong relationship is waking up to the tiny moments. The hellos. The thank yous. The genuine apologies.
Being the one to make the coffee.
These are the habits that build a happily ever after.
Alcohol makes it more challenging to remember those, whether it’s because you’re tired from a hangover, or because you’ve dulled your senses and you miss the cues your sweetheart offers about their tough day.
Try this:
This week’s habit for your happily ever after is to hear someone the first time they refuse a drink. Or to offer support to someone who’s trying to live alcohol-free.
Connect with my guest
My guest today is Steve Wilt. He is living alcohol free. He first experimented with Dry January in a workplace challenge. Steve is an expert on retirement issues, and is passionate about nonprofits, helping them to deliver on their mission and to fundraise. He is the creator and host of the 2024 CAPTRUST Alcohol Free Challenge. Due to the success of this challenge Steve is assisting other companies in running this program in 2025. Steve and his wife Holly live in West Akron and have two children, Charlotte and Charlie who are both currently in college.
Want to hear more about Steve’s experience? Listen to him on This Naked Mind Podcast or on this episode of Alcohol-Free Lifestyle. You can also watch Steve’s TEDx talk here.
Want to stop arguing and start connecting with your spouse? This FREE e-course will offer you habits to improve your marriage communication so you can smile more and fight less. Sign up to improve marriage communication.
