5 Lessons I Learned From One Year Without Alcohol

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Welcome to One Day Out, a weekly newsletter to help deepen your faith, enhance your health, and guide you in pursuing a purpose-filled life.

Opening Prayer

Lord, thank you for each breath I get to take. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to free us from bondage and give us the free gift of salvation. Help me to use the gifts you have instilled in me to point more people to You and give You glory.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

5 Lessons From One Year Without Alcohol

From June 2023 to June 2024 I did not have one sip of alcohol. If you had told this to 21-year-old Dom, he would have laughed in your face at the thought of going a weekend without a Natty Light.

But a lot can change in a few years. During the quarantine times in 2020, I started my podcast (Days with Dom at the time, now Pure Ambition) which led me down the path of personal development and entrepreneurship.

I became obsessed with learning, creating, and growing so I spent all my free time reading books, watching YouTube videos, and creating content, and I had little desire to drink.

I suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in August of 2023 which meant I had to build my health back from the ground up, but it wasn’t until I was on a bus from Philly to NYC that I realized it had been 4 months since my last drink. From there, I thought, “What if I went a year dry?” and it began.

Here are 5 lessons I learned during those 365 days:

1. Surround yourself with people who can have fun without booze

   While it was rare, I would still have a few drinks occasionally. When I moved to Austin, none of my friends cared to drink, so there wasn’t any temptation to.

   Friday nights typically consist of resting from a busy week and getting to be early before a big Saturday workout.

   The right people won't pressure you to fit into old habits—they'll support the healthier version of you. The best places I have found these people have been Church, Bible studies, run clubs, group workouts, and other community events.

   

2. We have more time than we think

   It’s amazing how much time you get back when you choose not to go out to the bars each weekend.

   This means more time to exercise and work on your physical health, dive into passion projects, spend meaningful time with others, catch up on rest, and do all the things you “don’t have time” for.

   

3. You probably can afford it

   Think about how much you spend on a night out:

   • Pre-game drinks

   • Food

   • Uber to the bar

   • Bar covers

   • Drinks at the bar

   • More food

   • Uber home

   Easily $50-100+ each night. Not to mention the time wasted the next day being tired and hungover. I have been guilty of saying “I can’t afford it” but not thinking twice about my bar tab.

   Whether it’s a trip you’ve wanted to go on, a piece of equipment for your business, or a course to grow your skills, if you took that money for alcohol and put it toward meaningful things, you might realize you can afford it.

   

    

4. Your mental, physical, and spiritual health will flourish

   It is crazy what one drink can do (for me at least) in how it affects my sleep that night, and my focus and energy the next day.

   Suddenly getting up earlier, spending time with the Lord, training hard, eating healthy, and being in a good mood become easy and natural.

   

5. There can be a healthy balance

   While not drinking alcohol has a ton of mental, physical, and spiritual benefits, I’m probably never going to cut it out completely again.

   It is clear in Ephesians 5:18 that we should not get drunk when Paul writes: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." So, I will never get drunk again; however, if I feel like it when I’m at a wedding, out to dinner with my girlfriend, or around a fire with my friends, I may have a drink or two.

    

   Finding that balance is key. For me, it’s about making intentional choices—recognizing when a drink fits into the moment and when it does not. Alcohol doesn’t have to control me, and I’ve learned that moderation, rather than all-or-nothing, brings the healthiest approach.

   I hope this helps you find your own balance and discover what works best for you. Whether you give up alcohol entirely or enjoy it in moderation, the goal is to make choices that align with your values and lead you to a more fulfilling, intentional life.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank you for your wisdom and guidance and that I don’t have to go through this life alone. You have been so intentional and given us the guide to live in a way that pleases and honors you. Help me to have the right judgment and do everything for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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