William Blake once wrote that you never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough.
Well, I’ve got to say that I’ve taken these words to heart, especially when it comes to certain types of food and alcohol.
I have chosen not to consume alcohol for the month of March.
I got to say that I feel amazing overall. I’ve been sleeping better, I’ve been working out more, and I have more energy throughout the day.
Does this mean I’m going to quit drinking beer? Absolutely not.
Not that I was abusing alcohol, it’s just that I realized I was drinking too much of it. Especially beer. My brother would say that it’s in my family DNA to love it. He works for a brewery, so he’s always bringing home new beers all the time: IPAs, Stouts, Belgians, you name it.
But the combination of my birthday, my brother’s birthday, St. Patrick’s Day, and my brother’s bachelor party; I realized I should cut back on that love and give my body a 30 day cleanse.
What I have realized is like coffee, I enjoy the ritual behind drinking beer much more than the buzz it gives me.
And unlike soda, which I have permanently quit, and proudly quit for the past four years, there’s a lot tied to beer that I enjoy too much to quit.
It’s not just the ritual; it’s the freedom of going into a bar in any part of the world and being able to enjoy a pint with strangers. I know many people cannot enjoy alcohol to this limited extent, and for that I am grateful that I do not have that issue, especially since it has become such a big part of my traveling experiences.
And that’s why I believe I am of the type who should enjoy everything in moderation, including moderation. I won’t go back to drinking as much as I was in the month of March, but I won’t say no when someone offers to buy me a pint of Guinness the next time I’m in Belfast.
What type of personality trait do you have? Are you someone who has to quit something cold turkey, or do you prefer to indulge in moderation?
I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to approach certain indulgences. What I do think is important is knowing what kind of person you are in order to bring about a higher sense of self-awareness and ultimately a more enjoyable experience to your life.
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Photo Credits: Adam Wilson
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Originally Published on Seangoodman.net