October 6, 2015 – Finland, Minnesota

Sober October is so much easier in the middle of the woods.

It was a year ago when I stumbled upon the cause, riding through the London Underground in late September. Oddly enough, I saw the ad for “Sober October” on my way back to our hostel, as I forgot my credentials – things that are most definitely required to attend a pub crawl. Help people with cancer and give my liver a break for a month? Good idea.

Spending that October with my Californian family was a bit challenging, but I persevered. I couldn’t remember the last time I went an entire month without having a drink. Probably before I actually started drinking at 19. Ten years ago. Not that I would say I have a drinking problem per se, but it served as a nice reminder of being in control of oneself. Bodily mastery.

Could I go for two months next year?

I decided that I would make it an annual practice, and it will likely be much easier this year. After all, I should be spending most of my time this month away from civilization, dealing with next to no stress, and receiving zero peer pressure. That, and I find it much easier to say no to someone if I’ve never drank with them before. Which is what I had to do with my new host, who has a couple beers every night with dinner.

A small price to pay.

“No man is free who is not master of himself.” – Epictetus