It's been over five years since I last drank.

I wasn't an alcoholic before.

Yet, alcohol has been a constant part of my life since a young age.

I grew up in a Latino home. My parents split when I was young. At family parties, I saw alcohol everywhere. There was always loud music and dancing.

It was part of the culture.

And I never questioned it.

Later on in my teens, when I had my first drink, I justified drinking since it was a social 'norm' and I wanted to fit in.

As I turned 20, drinking started to blend into my social life, relationships, and celebrations.

Until I started to question what I was drinking.

Alcohol kills brain cells.

It numbs us and dulls who we are.

Part of the reason I drank alcohol was twofold:

• To numb my emotions (since I was immature and didn't know how to face them).
• To fit 'in' with others

Both reasons showed that I lacked emotional, mental, and spiritual growth.

Developmental psychology suggests that only 2% of humans reach full maturity and are adults.

Erik Erikson, a noted psychologist, created the 9 Life Cycles of Human Development.

He says that our desire to 'fit in' often reveals insecurities and old trauma from our teenage years. This period is key for resolving our identity.

Our society and world are governed, run, and inhabited by humans who never "grew up."

As such, things like alcohol can flourish and prosper.

And it's an opportunity for us to examine our lives more closely.

So here's four things I've learned from the past 5.5+ years from not drinking:

#1 I feel more at ease in my life

I feel relaxed and can be myself in social settings when there's no pressure to drink or social anxiety.

Part of why I drank before was to be 'more relaxed' since I was insecure growing up and had low self-esteem.

Now?

I show up and express my authentic self.

Learning who you are and sharing this with others is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and others.

The funny thing now is that I laugh, smile, and enjoy myself more without the alcohol than when I had it.

It's interesting how the better you treat yourself, the better your life becomes.

It's also interesting how nearly every mainstream trend doesn't support deep health or well-being.

But as social creatures we're always modeling each other.

Especially those we admire and project onto.

#2 My integrity has grown stronger

Before, when I used to drink, I would say one thing—then do another.

Now, I own what I think, say, and do.

This has been a journey for me.

I used to say one thing, think another, and then act on a completely different impulse.

Talk about lack of integrity.

The truth is who you are impacts everyone you touch.

It doesn't matter whether your kids, family, or friends know that you're engaging in certain habits.

They'll sense this from who you're showing up as each day.

Excellence isn't a one-time activity.

You don't show up as a great person once a week or once a quarter.

You do this every day.

If being a positive role model is even remotely important for you, then embodiment matters.

Cognitive functioning has been clearly shown to diminish with alcohol consumption.

I've stopped being inconsistent when I drink.

Now, I stay true to my word.

#3 My influence has increased

Whether we admit it or not, people look up to us.

There's always one person in your life looking up to you.

Whether you realize this or not.

The more I’ve cut out harmful things from my life, like alcohol, weed, and processed foods, the quicker my influence has grown.

Many of us have abilities, powers, and talents that are untapped gold mines within us.

Many of us miss these treasure chests of diamonds. We often don’t take the time to discover our gifts.

When I stopped drinking (and smoking), I realized that I was insecure.

Insecure with other people but even more... insecure within myself.

Your inner strength comes from knowing who you are.

It doesn't come from fitting into societal matrices or trying to be someone you're not.

It comes from spending time in silence and facing your thoughts, emotions, and psyche full on.

Removing alcohol has allowed me to learn more about who I am.

#4 My mind and body are healthier

I've spent 2/3 of my life clouding my mind.

The last 1/3 I've spent clearing it.

The impact on my health, body, and overall psyche has been tenfold.

Better sleep. More energy. Overall confidence. Stronger body.

The list goes on.

Sometimes, it's not about adding more to our lives or habits.

It's about removing the things that no longer serve us.

That's what I've learned from removing alcohol from my life.

The better your vessel (your body) and mind (your thoughts and emotions), the better your life becomes.

This is easily proven by anyone who takes the time to nourish their body-mind organism.

You and I are our best health scientists.

Study, test, implement, and repeat.

Don't look to someone else for the 'secret' answers to health or fitness.

Instead, learn, take action, and verify things for yourself.

Your inner wisdom and knowing are more valuable than any book, teacher, or coach you'll find.

So listen to it.

Study and test new health actions.

That's what changed my life.

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