Episode 82: What About My Partner??

Aug 19

Have you ever wondered how going alcohol-free impacts your partner? What does it look like to date without alcohol? Sharing from their personal experiences, Karolina and Danielle sit down to tackle this exact topic! Learn what it means to choose yourself first, feel gratitude for your partner, and create joy in your relationship without alcohol in today’s episode of Euphoric The Podcast.

We’ll also share our favorite alcohol-free activities, powerful affirmations you can use to set intentions for your relationship, and our best tips for navigating life when you’re partnered up with someone who still drinks.

Partnered up and alcohol-free? Here are the best ways to bond

What does it look like to be alcohol-free in a relationship? How does this affect your partner? What about the dating world?
Going alcohol-free is a very personal decision. It is about growth, transformation, and creating a life for yourself that you want. But we don’t live in a vacuum and our decisions impact those around us.

It can be scary to share your decision to go alcohol-free with your partner. Maybe you’re afraid that the relationship will change or you might be worried that you’ll miss out on the fun ways you spent time together.

One way to ease this transition is by leaving bread crumbs along the way, sharing how amazing you feel without alcohol, how present you feel, or how your sleep has improved.

This is exactly what I did with my husband Robert, and as a result, when I shared my decision to go alcohol-free, it wasn’t a crazy, unexpected shock factor. He was so supportive, especially because he saw the joy it brought me. This did, however, mean that our quality time together was going to look differently than it had before!

Does your typical date night consist of going out for dinner and drinks, a bottle of wine over a movie night, or maybe cocktails at a dance club?

There are endless possibilities for alcohol-free dates. Wake up early with your favorite mug of coffee and watch the sunrise. Go for an adventurous nature hike or train for a 5K together. Cook a fancy dinner chosen by your partner or read a book to one another while drinking tea after dinner.

Dates that are alcohol-free mean being more present, more connected to your partner, and more able to fully experience the moment together.

Choose yourself first

It is possible that when you go alcohol-free, your relationship could change, but that doesn't mean that alcohol was bringing you closer. In fact, it may have been preventing you from truly forming that deeper, more intimate connection.

In Danielle’s first marriage, drinking was at the center of it. She experimented with an alcohol-free lifestyle a few times, and found that her partner was only loosely supportive of her choice. It pained her that he seemed more supportive when she started drinking again. Ultimately it played a role in the marriage ending.

She describes her past relationship as being codependent. Her focus was on making her partner happy, often at the expense of choosing herself. Deep down, she knew her true calling was to be alcohol-free, but she kept putting this other person ahead of that vision.

Today, Danielle is engaged to a man that is so accepting, loving, and supportive of her choice to be alcohol-free. This is a perfect example of the importance of choosing yourself first.

When you don’t choose yourself and instead make decisions based on your partner’s wants, you’ll quickly develop resentment and THAT will have an impact on your relationship more than choosing yourself first.

It can be scary to put yourself before your partner knowing it may change the relationship. Remember that it’s okay to take the time you need to process the emotions and fear that come up as you choose what’s best for you. Being alcohol-free impacts different areas of a relationship. Be patient as you navigate these changes personally and together.

Affirmations, gratitude, and honoring your partner where they’re at

Becoming alcohol-free has not only changed my life in so many beautiful ways, but it has had an impact on Robert as well. Since cutting out alcohol in my life, I’ve noticed that he has been drinking less, supporting me in my growth, and coming alongside my business with Euphoric. His heart is so in it.

When you go alcohol-free and begin your journey to becoming the best version of yourself, it will affect others. It can be difficult when you’re going through so much transformation and personal growth to not push your work onto others, especially your partner. Maybe you become frustrated that they aren’t growing at the same pace as you, or they don’t have the same motivation.

Inspired by a coach I was working with at the time, I began writing down something I appreciated or admired about my husband everyday. Instead of focusing on what was frustrating me, I felt a deeper love and gratitude for Robert. I began seeing and honoring the journey he is on, instead of imposing my own timeline on him.

What if your partner still drinks? Use that time to simply be with yourself. Instead of mulling over what he or she is doing or worrying about their drinking, use that space to treat and care for yourself, filling your own cup. Danielle will take it as a cue to walk around the block, watch a true crime documentary, or enjoy some yoga.

Ask yourself who you want to be in your relationship. What does it look like to support your partner and allow them to embody their journey? Instead of focusing on the external, continue doing the powerful internal work of transformation.

For support, you can also set intentions and declare truths about you and your relationship:

“I’m perfect and whole just as I am.”

“My partner accepts me fully and deeply.”

“I support and trust my partner’s journey.”

From affirmations to admirations, remember that your journey is your own, just as your partner’s is theirs. Being alcohol-free may change your relationship, but what if it’s for the better?

“Being the best version of you, who stands up for your self-worth and your boundaries and what you truly want and need, is going to ultimately create a healthier relationship.” Euphoric The Podcast

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Follow Euphoric Alcohol-Free on Instagram

If you’re ready to unlock a new level of amazing in your life, get curious and explore what incredible mindset shifts a break from alcohol can bring. Join the FREE 5 Day Restart to change your thinking around alcohol so you can uplevel your entire life.

And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.