The problem with saying, "I need to stop" is that the human brain ends up doing the very thing we tell it not to do. This is due to the Reticular Activating System (RAS), which doesn't understand negation. Instead of focusing on what you're losing, focus on what you're gaining: "I'm choosing this lifestyle. Tonight, I'm going to be alcohol free and drink delicious mocktails." Focus on what you will do, not what you don't want to do, and things will be much simpler. Follow @jamesswanwick for the

I lied about my alcohol use to everyone. | Dillon Reed

I lied about a lot of things before I quit drinking alcohol. Most of the lies were a way to be able to continue drinking alcohol. | Dillon Reed

When you stop drinking, you gain the clarity and focus to move beyond disappointment and self-criticism. The core transformation is abandoning a life of expectation and embracing a life of appreciation. Your mindset becomes much more positive, supported by physical changes like better sleep and more energy. One technique to increase this gratitude is the daily 20: writing down 20 things you are grateful for every morning. Follow @jamesswanwick for the best alcohol-free content! Clip from YouTube