Something tells me 2020 is going to be a good year. Brexit appears to be moving in the right direction, the property market is stable and the City seems to be chugging away without any real cause for concern.

For the first time since I can remember, I came into the New Year without the need for a major detox. I felt bloody great. I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that…

I have not had a drink in nearly seven months and feel bloody great

For those who didn't follow my journey across India, which see me walk exactly 2,558 miles across the entire country, I encountered some major health issues and that was when I wasn't being robbed at knifepoint or being run over by a drunk driver. 

Long story short, I nearly died in Rajasthan. I suffered from Rhabdomyolysis and was nearly a goner. Needless to say, I survived and vowed to make some major changes in my life (like walking across India wasn't enough). I vowed to go a whole year without any alcohol.

So far, I’m seven months in and I can tell you now, I will not have any problems completing the year. 

Why am I so confident?

Because life is fucking amazing without it. I've lost weight, I have more energy and, I have never enjoyed so much clarity in my life. The feeling of not succumbing to temptation and being in complete control of my actions is empowering. 

But it would appear that I am not alone. This year more than any other, I've seen all these health nuts come out the woodwork knocking the booze on the head and deciding to make massive progress with their goals. The thing I must highlight though, is the fact that these seemingly strange people who are shunning booze and shitty food aren't health nuts at all. They are normal people like you and me. They just decided that if you're going to live life, you might as well live a good one. 

My experience in India had me question many things about my seemingly healthy lifestyle. 

Now, I could spend the next hour talking about biohacking, nutrition and motivation until I'm blue in the face. But the single biggest thing that has improved my life is quite simple. Yet, somehow it's taken me over forty years to even come close to mastering it. 

So what is it?....

"Doing the right thing"

I told you it was simple, didn't I? 

Doing the right thing!! 

Simple, yet so bloody hard. Or, at least it was. 

And yet, it means so many different things to different people. Doing the right thing might be not going to the pub, and to others, it might be making the effort to go down the gym on a cold and dark winters evening. For others, it might be eating better, taking action, or quitting your job to travel the world. 

I will tell you this for what it's worth; when you 'do the right thing', life becomes much more enjoyable. Cold grey days suddenly become less grey. And, you learn to not give a fuck about what anyone thinks. I've started to ask better questions in life and retrospectively find myself finding better answers, always seeking that win, but thinking more objectively in the process. 

When you do the right thing" life becomes a much more purpose-driven adventure. 

Congratulations to my bearded brother Damo Reece who has started on the alcohol-free journey. I believe his goal is 90 days. But, I wouldn't be surprised if he does a year. Especially after feeling the positive effects of not drinking brings. 

Another heads up and a nod to Karl Kommmited who has just celebrated 600 days booze-free which is a massive feat. Karl is an online PT who works exclusively with professional women. I can't help but think his alcohol-free journey is going to align with many professional women who are looking to curb their drinking habits. 

I would be keen to hear from any women out there who are looking at taking a break from alcohol in 2020? Leave a comment below or on Facebook and let me know how it's going and any tips you have.

If you are having a dry January, then I wish you the very best of luck. The first two weeks are the hardest and then you would be surprised how easy it becomes. Stick with it and stay strong. I want to leave you with a comment my therapist left me with. 

‘If you can't go 30 days without having a drink, you have a drink problem. That's the simple truth, Damian!’