Clarity

The Power of Clarity 

As you might imagine, I have a lot of conversations with people about alcohol. In my groups I listen, offer new perspectives, and encourage self-led curiosity. Out in the world, I tend to do more listening than talking. 

I’ve heard every reason under the sun to drink. Some I used to tell myself. Some are creative. Some don’t make any sense at all. But for the person sharing them, they feel real — and there’s often this almost unconscious urge to justify. 

What’s interesting is this: people don’t usually feel the need to justify healthy habits. No one feels compelled to explain why they go for a morning run, or why they choose a salad over chips at lunch. But drinking? For many, the excuses roll out almost automatically. 

Why is this? 

I don't think it's about me, or whoever’s listening. These justifications are likely there to cushion the discomfort that shows up when someone or something hits the part inside that is questioning their own drinking. Why do I believe this? Because I remember. 

I tried to ignore the discomfort for years, I tolerated the inner conflict when the ‘high’ wore off, until the fogginess, regret and anxiety dissipated, and the excuses seemed like truth again — I’m not so bad, I can stop when I want, I’m not an ‘alcoholic’, it's normal, everyone drinks like me.....

I remember this cycle all too well. And it was exhausting, and soul-destroying. Day by day,  becoming smaller and less confident than I was the day before. 

Until I eventually admitted to myself that I was not running this show. 

Lifting the Fog 

The truth is, the only way out of that cycle is to give your brain and body the chance to heal. To step away long enough for the fog to lift and the clouds to part. To see clearly that all the excuses that arise when you feel better come from a brain that is craving a quick reward, despite the negative consequences. To be honest enough with yourself to admit you are addicted. 

“Addiction is any behaviour that a person finds temporary relief or pleasure in, and therefore craves, but suffers negative consequences from, and cannot give up despite those consequences.”

Gabor Maté 

Healing becomes possible at the point at which you decide that the negative consequences become too much to bear. Or life decides it for you.

However, for those like me who were drinking from an early age, the negative consequences became the norm. I didn’t see them clearly – I couldn't because I couldn't remember how it felt not to be in the cycle. I couldn't remember what life was like before drinking.

When I stopped drinking, the greatest benefit I noticed as a result of more energy, better sleep, and improved mood, was clarity. 

And clarity changes everything. 

What Clarity Really Means 

Clarity isn’t about suddenly having all the answers or seeing your life mapped out perfectly. It’s about seeing reality as it is, without filters, excuses, or stories. 

Once your mind is clear of the alcohol induced haze you find something that’s been missing for quite some time. The ability to access your innate intelligence. 

If you're ready to grow, you begin to ask intelligent questions and to notice just how interesting this habit is.  

Without the filter you may, as I did, realise the total insanity of drinking a toxic poison on a regular basis. 

Clarity can be hard

Having clarity is not easy, self-honesty is not easy. But what hit me hardest was just how programmed I’d been to even believe that the benefits outweighed the aftermath. Once I fully experienced the relief that arose when I stopped dedicating my thoughts to when, how much, how often, and stopped feeling the regret when I ‘failed’ again to moderate – I realised that the negative consequences were far worse than I had let myself believe. 

Before I quit, I thought I was living at a 6/10. Later, I realised it was more like a 3/10.

After a few months, I had absolute clarity on what my life would look like if I continued to drink – more of the same. And it wouldn’t get better.  What I didn’t have clarity on was what came next. What would my life look like as a non-drinker? 

I wanted to find out. And I’m so glad I did. 

When you have clarity long-term, confusion fades. Your decisions become congruent. They align with your values. You learn to trust yourself, and you don't need to numb or negotiate with the confused and conflicted parts of yourself that pull you in different directions. 

That’s the gift of clarity -  you can finally see yourself, your life, and your choices without distortion, filters, or excuses. 

How It Feels 

You know that sense of lightness that comes when you’ve been mulling over a decision for days, and suddenly the answer clicks into place? That’s clarity. It’s like a weight drops. Your shoulders relax. Your breath slows. You feel grounded, calm, and certain about your next step. 

And here’s the powerful part: when you live with clarity, you no longer make decisions to get a quick fix, because you see the whole picture – not just the moment.  You stop doing things just to keep others happy, or out of fear, or to escape discomfort. You make your choices from the empowered position of clarity, because they genuinely feel right for you. 

Courage + Clarity 

Of course, clarity doesn’t mean your choices will always be easy for you or accepted by others. Sometimes the clear choice for you won’t be the easiest to make, nor may it line up with other people’s expectations. 

That’s where courage comes in — trusting that aligned decisions are worth standing for. 

But when you combine clarity with courage, you step into a way of living that is lighter, calmer, and infinitely more fulfilling. 

Why This Matters Now 

The World Health Organization estimates that 2.6 million people die from alcohol-related causes every year. Beyond the statistics are lives clouded by regret, relationships strained, and health silently eroded, all subtle negative consequences that bubble beneath the excuses. They’ve been going on so long that they feel normal. 

But here’s the hopeful part: by choosing to step away,  you gift yourself something invaluable. Not just better sleep, not just more energy, but clarity. And from this clarity, you may discover there’s another way for you. A better way. 

Warmly, 

Sarah Connelly