From 75 Hard to Two Years Sober: What I’ve Learned About Cravings, Connection & Letting Go
Two Years Later, Here’s What Sobriety Really Looks Like
When I started 75 Hard back in July two years ago, I didn’t plan to quit drinking. Like a lot of people, I was just trying to build better habits. Honestly, I was counting down the days until I could have a watermelon margarita.
But somewhere around Day 50, everything changed. I started to realize alcohol wasn’t serving me. And in the quiet that followed — when I stopped numbing, stopped escaping — I started hearing my own truth for the first time in years.
This blog pulls together the real talk from a recent YouTube Q&A episode, where I answered your questions about cravings, relationships, self-worth, and staying quit. Whether you’re newly sober, curious about quitting, or years into the journey, I hope this helps you feel seen — and less alone.
📺 Watch the full Q&A episode here 👇🏻
How Sobriety Started — And Why It Stuck
I didn’t start 75 Hard thinking, “This is the beginning of sobriety.” I just wanted a challenge. But halfway through, I realized how much alcohol had been taken from me. My confidence, my energy, my relationships — even my ability to just be still.
So I dumped the bottles. Literally. I poured everything out, snapped a picture, and sent it to a friend with one sentence: “I’m done.” That was the start of something real. Not easy — but real.
Staying Sober: Cravings, Triggers, and What to Do With the Extra Time
One of the top questions I get is: “How do you stay quit?”
Here’s the short answer: I remember who I was when I was drinking. And I never want to be her again.
In the beginning, I filled my days with anything that made me feel alive without alcohol:
Walks outdoors
Journaling
Strength training
Podcasts
Therapy
Reading
Did I get cravings? Of course. Especially for the ritual — a tequila shot with lime, a drink in a fancy glass. But I swapped it for soda water and lime or a mocktail with all the garnish and none of the regret.
“Play the tape forward” is a tool that works for a lot of people. I didn’t love who I was when I drank — and I don’t want to rewind back to that life.
Friendships, FOMO, and Social Pressure: What Changes After You Quit
Let’s talk about the messy middle — when you stop drinking and your social circle gets weird.
Did I lose friends when I quit drinking? Not exactly. But some relationships that were built on alcohol just faded. I was always the one organizing things — and when I stopped showing up with a bottle, the invites stopped too.
That stings.
But the deeper truth? The relationships I’ve built in sobriety are stronger. They're based on real connection, not shared hangovers. I’ve gotten closer to my kids, my husband, and even some people I never thought I’d reconnect with.
If someone cares more about drinking with you than about you, maybe they were never really your people.
Do I Miss the Buzz?
Short answer: I used to.
At first, I thought I’d never have fun again without that warm little buzz in my chest. It was my social lubricant, my coping mechanism, my way of avoiding life. But the truth is — that buzz wasn’t peace. It was a mask.
Today, peace feels different. It’s earned. And it sticks.
Things that give me a natural buzz now:
Hiking with a view
Deep belly laughs with sober friends
Sharing stories through Sobriety Uncensored
Sitting in stillness and actually liking myself there
What You Should Know About Withdrawal
I want to be clear here: not everyone should detox alone.
I didn’t have a physical dependence on alcohol, and I was already drinking a gallon of water a day through 75 Hard. That helped a lot. But for some people, withdrawal is serious — even deadly.
If you’re a heavy drinker, please get medical support when quitting. Symptoms like delirium tremens (DTs), seizures, or extreme confusion are red flags.
Need help figuring out where to start? Visit my resource page at TheSoberStrong.com
You Can Still Have Fun (Promise)
One of the biggest fears people have is: “Will life be boring without alcohol?”
Spoiler alert: No.
These days, I do all the things — hiking, camping, traveling, cooking, watching movies with my kids, even going to concerts with my husband. I recently went on a sober vacation to Key West, and it was the most present I’ve felt in years.
No hangovers. No regrets. No “Did I say that?” shame spiral.
Just peace. Clarity. And memories I’ll actually remember.
The Day I Knew I Was Done
I remember looking at the bottles in my cabinet and fridge and thinking, “This doesn’t belong in my life anymore.”
I dumped the alcohol down the drain — even my favorite IPA — and that act was it. That was the moment I chose my life over my buzz.
It’s not about willpower. It’s about truth. Mine showed up in silence, once I stopped drowning it out.
Am I Happy Now?
I’m not going to sell you the fantasy that life gets perfect when you quit drinking.
But yes — I’m truly happy. Not fake, “I’m fine” happy. Not buzzed and numbed-out happy. I feel peace. I feel present. I feel alive.
The emotions hit deeper now. When I’m sad, it’s real. When I’m angry, it’s raw. When I’m joyful, it sticks.
That’s the tradeoff: You lose the numbness, but you gain your life.
Coaching From Experience, Not a Textbook
I get a lot of questions about coaching. So here’s how I approach it:
I work with people who are ready to question their relationship with alcohol. Whether it’s Day One or Year Ten, I meet you where you are.
I don’t have a “program.” I have experience — 21 years of drinking, trauma, therapy, relapses, and rebuilding. I use emotional awareness, habit replacement, and mindset coaching to walk alongside you.
Some people just need someone to talk to. Others want structured guidance. Either way, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
👉 Explore coaching or join the private community at TheSoberStrong.com
Final Thoughts: You’ll Never Regret Not Drinking
If you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, that question is your answer.
You don’t need to hit rock bottom to make a change. You don’t need to explain your reasons to anyone. And you don’t have to do it alone.
I’m here. Our community is here. And the freedom you’re chasing? It’s closer than you think.
Thanks for being part of this space. Whether you’re lurking quietly, sharing your story, or starting from scratch — keep going. You are worth the work.
Ready for Your Reset from Alcohol?
If this story resonated, don’t wait for another rock bottom. Get help, get honest, and get moving.
👉Qutting Alcohol? 1:1 Sober Coaching: https://soberstrongcoaching.as.me/
👉More Sober Content: https://www.youtube.com/@Soberstrong
👉Be a guest on the Sobriety Uncensored Podcast: https://thesoberstrong.com/sobriety-uncensored-sober-strong
