Sober Curious? Why Choosing Not to Drink Is the New Power Move

There’s a quiet shift happening on the Beaches. It’s in the decision to swap that Friday night wine for an early morning swim, in the choice to head out for a coastal walk instead of another round at the bar, in the craving for genuine connection without the haze of alcohol. More locals are pressing pause on drinking, questioning the rituals we’ve tied to a glass in hand, and discovering how good it feels to wake up clear, present, and fully themselves.

It’s not about moral superiority, and it’s not just about addiction recovery, either. It’s about people choosing to be present, choosing health, and choosing themselves in a world where the expectation to drink is everywhere - from Friday knock-offs to kids’ birthday parties where the prosecco comes out before the cake.

Lisa Hollinshead, a Manly local and founder of PR consultancy Comms101, has been open about her decision to quit drinking. “I was tired of the hangxiety,” she says. “That feeling the next day where you’re piecing together conversations, worrying if you said something stupid, and feeling anxious for days after. I realised I was done living like that.”

Lisa isn’t alone. A 2025 report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows a steady decline in alcohol consumption across people in their 30s and 40s, a demographic once associated with wine o’clock and boozy brunches. And it’s not just about health; it’s about wellness, mindfulness, and alignment with a lifestyle that prioritises feeling good -really good.

“When I stopped drinking, I started to feel like myself again,” Lisa shares. “The fog lifted. I was more productive, more patient, and I actually enjoyed my social life more, even without a drink in hand.”

The Wellness Generation

Drinking has long been marketed as a social lubricant, a rite of passage, a mark of adulthood. But it’s also a leading contributor to anxiety, disrupted sleep, weight gain, and poor mental health - issues many of us are actively working to improve.

“A lot of people don’t realise just how much alcohol impacts their mental health,” Lisa says. “It wasn’t until I stopped that I could see the connection between the nights I drank and the days I felt anxious, low, or unmotivated.”

And while the Beaches are known for sunset drinks and Sunday sessions, there’s a growing movement of locals swapping spritzes for soda with lime and sunrise swims. Sobriety is no longer something whispered about; it’s something worn with quiet confidence.

“I used to think not drinking would make me boring,” Lisa admits, “but it’s actually made me braver. I don’t need alcohol to have fun, to dance, to be social. I can do all of that and remember it the next day.”

The Health Reality

The science behind this movement is clear. Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organisation, in the same category as asbestos and tobacco. Even moderate drinking increases the risk of breast cancer, liver disease, and contributes to gut inflammation and disrupted hormones.

Sleep, too, is deeply affected. While a glass of wine might help you fall asleep faster, it reduces REM sleep and disrupts your circadian rhythm, leaving you groggy the next day. And for many, alcohol exacerbates anxiety and low mood, creating a cycle of using alcohol to cope, only to feel worse after.

“I didn’t realise how much better I could feel,” Lisa says. “The energy, the clarity, the confidence - I wouldn’t trade that for anything now.”

Social Pressure and Changing Culture

If you’ve ever said, “I’m not drinking tonight” only to be met with a chorus of “Oh come on, just one!” you know the pressure to drink is real. Social drinking is ingrained in Australian culture, tied to celebration, connection, and relaxation.

But as more people embrace a sober or sober-curious lifestyle, that narrative is shifting. Alcohol-free events are on the rise, with zero-alcohol beers and botanical spirits making appearances at local bars. Venues across the Beaches are expanding their non-alcoholic offerings, making it easier for those who don’t drink to still feel part of the fun.

Lisa says the change starts with confidence. “At first, I felt awkward saying no to drinks, but I realised that people don’t really care as much as you think they do. If they do, that says more about them than it does about you.”

The Cost of Drinking

Beyond the health impacts, drinking carries a financial cost. The average Aussie spends over $1,600 a year on alcohol, money that could be spent on travel, hobbies, or wellness pursuits. And there’s the hidden cost: the mornings lost to hangovers, the workouts skipped, the anxiety clouding your day.

“I remember sitting down and working out how much I spent on nights out,” Lisa says. “It was shocking. And when you add the Ubers, the late-night snacks, and the random purchases, it all adds up.”

Connection Without a Drink

Many fear that giving up alcohol means giving up their social life. But what if it meant deepening it?

“When you’re sober, you’re fully present,” Lisa says. “You’re not half-listening, half-texting, or zoning out. You’re there, really there, and that creates a deeper connection.” She laughs, “Plus, you get to remember the conversations the next day.”

The connection isn’t just with others; it’s with yourself. Many find that sobriety creates space for reflection, creativity, and personal growth that drinking often dulls. It opens time for early-morning swims, for sunrise yoga, for weekend markets without a pounding headache.

Lisa, who founded OneAnother.Community encourages those living alcohol-free to use the platform to seek connection and purpose while embracing a more present, fulfilling lifestyle.

Sober Curious? Here’s Where to Start

You don’t have to declare yourself sober forever to explore what life without alcohol feels like. A 30-day challenge, like Dry July, can be a good starting point, or you can simply experiment with alcohol-free alternatives on social occasions.

“I started with a month,” Lisa shares. “Then I realised how good I felt, so I kept going. Now, I can’t see myself going back.”

Start by replacing your usual drink with alcohol-free options. Many local venues, like The Cumberland in Manly and Alma Avalon, now offer non-alcoholic cocktails that are just as beautiful and complex as their boozy counterparts. For home, brands like Lyre’s and Monday Distillery offer a range of zero-alcohol spirits and pre-mixed drinks.

Connect with others on the same path. Social media communities, sober meetups, and apps like Reframe or I Am Sober can provide encouragement and accountability.

The Sober Social Scene

Dee Why local Kate, who stopped drinking two years ago, says her social life hasn’t shrunk; it’s shifted. “Instead of late nights, it’s early morning surfs and coffees with friends. It’s dinners where I actually taste the food and conversations I remember.”

She says the hardest part was the first few months, navigating social situations without the crutch of a drink. “But once you get comfortable, it becomes second nature.”

And the benefits? “Better skin, better sleep, better energy, and no hangovers,” she laughs. “What’s not to love?”

The Future of Drinking

While alcohol won’t disappear from our culture overnight, the narrative is changing. Drinking is no longer the default, and sobriety is increasingly seen as a wellness choice, not a limitation.

Alcohol-free spirits are now a billion-dollar industry globally, with the trend projected to continue as people prioritise health, mindfulness, and mental wellbeing. Younger generations are drinking less, and workplaces are beginning to reimagine events without alcohol at the centre.

“I love that there’s now a conversation around drinking,” Lisa says. “It’s not about shaming those who do, but it’s about giving people the freedom to choose what feels best for them without judgement.”

On the Northern Beaches, where wellness is woven into the rhythm of life, the decision to step away from alcohol aligns with the desire to live fully, consciously, and connected.

It’s about choosing mornings over hangovers, presence over numbness, and connection over avoidance. It’s about asking yourself what you truly need to relax, to connect, and to celebrate.

“I thought drinking was helping me connect, but it was actually disconnecting me,” Lisa reflects. “Now, I’m here for all of it - the good days, the awkward moments, the celebrations - I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

Being sober isn’t about being perfect, and it’s not about living without joy. It’s about living with intention, with presence, and with the freedom to be fully yourself.

Whether you’re sober curious or ready to make a change, know you’re not alone. You’re part of a growing movement that’s redefining what it means to have a good time, to connect, and to live well.

And as Lisa says, “There’s a whole world out there waiting for you - and you don’t need a drink in your hand to experience it.”

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