‘I stopped drinking every weekend – here’s what happened’: Edward Holland on his sober-curious journey

For The Advertiser’s Edward Holland, binge drinking was beginning to make him question his life choices. Here’s what he decided to do instead.

It all started as a New Year’s resolution, as many lifestyle changing moments do.

I’d conquered Christmas Day celebrations, spent Boxing Day at Lucky’s and had made the most of the free drinks at my best friend’s wedding.

A trifecta of binge drinking that made me question my life choices.

There and then, I decided on my resolution for 2023. I wouldn’t quit drinking completely but instead, limit my drinking to once a month.

A rather controlled approach for a single 26-year-old which many doubted would last the distance.

Flash forward 18-months and I am still going strong.

For me, the build-up to that one night and the fact that you’re allowing yourself to seriously let loose is half the fun.

Ed Holland was sober-curious so he cut his drinking to once a month.

With it comes a realisation – and reminder – that I don’t need alcohol for every event, which is actually a little bit nostalgic for me as someone who hardly drank until he was 22.

And let’s not forget, it’s all awfully expensive and, at times, exhausting for this 194cm heavyweight to even get tipsy.

If you factor that in with the infamous week of chaos, you can guess how I was starting to feel about myself.

The health benefits are an obvious reason to stick to the resolution but the rest of my diet isn’t anything to write home about so I can’t really play the health card.

I do have to come clean on one thing though, which is potentially the only reason I’ve managed to last so long. There are some terms and conditions (I’m refusing to call them loopholes) involved with the resolution.

I knew I had two events in February which I’d need a drink for, so in return I didn’t touch alcohol in January. It was either that or sing Bruno Mars completely sober at karaoke. Easiest decision of my life.

The resolution also goes out the window once I step foot on a plane, which would explain to my co-workers why I travel so much.

I’m not alone in my journey into sober curiosity – a movement for younger generations to quit drinking completely or scale back, just as I have.

In fact, last year, 400,000 Aussies went alcohol-free – most of them under 40.

And there’s plenty of people who do a better job at the rising trend of being sober curious. In fact, half of Hollywood biggest stars have waxed lyrical about the joys of being alcohol free in recent times.

Anne Hathaway quit alcohol after becoming a mum, vowing to not touch a drop again until they are 18.

There’s also Bradley Cooper who thought the sauce was preventing him from reaching his true potential.

And let’s not forget Spider-Man actor Tom Holland, who went completely cold turkey after he feared he was becoming addicted.

Necessary side note – I still have fun outside of the alcohol-once-a-month challenge, I don’t want this coming across as though I’m a hermit crab.

I still socialise – I just don’t suffer weekly hangovers.

So when you’re battling with your next pounding headache on a Sunday, think of me.