On December 8, 2024, I made a decision that would quietly but profoundly change my life — to go one full year without alcohol.

For me, drinking was mostly a social or weekend habit. But over time, I started noticing how much it was affecting both my physical and mental health. So, I decided to take a break. What started as an experiment has turned into one of the most impactful decisions I’ve made for my well-being.

I was thumbing through my bible in the early morning hours this week and was prompted by my daily devotional to spend some time in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3. The chapter opens with, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).