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<ul class="summary-list"><li>I've been drinking since I was of legal age, but I recently went sober.</li><li>I just went on my first alcohol-free vacation and found that I enjoyed myself much more.</li></ul>I started drinking alcohol when I turned 21 and, with the exception of when I traveled during my pregnancies, every vacation I've taken since has involved alcohol. Whether it was a trip to California to visit wineries or a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/first-solo-cruise-norwegian-caribbean-loved-it-review-2024-2">Caribbean cruise</a> complete with a drink package, since becoming an adult, I've equated a relaxing vacation with maintaining that perfect balance between a buzz and not being too hung over.A few months ago, however, I decided alcohol was no longer serving me. Tired of seeing the way booze affected my relationships and left me feeling anxious and exhausted, I chose an alcohol-free lifestyle, and I haven't back. Recently, I took my first vacation since choosing a life of sobriety.My husband, myself, and our two teenagers embarked on a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/whale-watching-expedition-cruise-teens-less-screen-time-present-2024-2">whale-watching cruise</a> in Baja California Sur, Mexico through National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions, and while I had no idea what to expect from a weeklong trip without my old friend alcohol, the experience was incredibly empowering for me and solidified my decision not to drink.Here's what I learned on my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tried-sober-travel-stopped-drinking-alcohol-better-vacation-2024-1">first sober vacation</a> in 22 years.<h2>I enjoyed my trip so much more by not numbing out with alcohol</h2><div type="image" title="Terri Peters and her husband on a boat wearing life vests." height="3024" width="4032" msid="107985916" hostid="261" sizebytes="635456"></div>I definitely had moments leading up to the trip where I wondered if I'd feel like I was missing out by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sobriety-benefits-sober-alcohol-drinking-2024-1">not drinking</a>. The exact opposite occurred once I was on board our ship. Where vacations in the past flew by and were marked by bloody mary brunches and evening cocktail hours, this trip felt restful, and I felt more present without drinking the time away.Amanda Kuda, an alcohol-free lifestyle coach and author of "<a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=f3228da617c623772e9ef68f1461e242f2a37b7cbd9b48f054c8d1b87def0f16&amp;postID=65d7aaa9bad86bdcf7753913&amp;postSlug=sober-family-vacation-didnt-miss-alcohol-more-present-2024-2&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUnbottled-Potential-Break-Alcohol-Through%2Fdp%2FB0BVPHD1VB">Unbottled Potential: Break Up With Alcohol and Break Through to Your Best Life</a>," said in an interview with Business Insider that the key to experiencing this alcohol-free freedom on vacation is to make your decision not to drink non-negotiable before you travel. "Decide you're going to do this experience and collect some data," Kuda said. "No matter what happens, you'll come out of it feeling really proud of yourself, so make the commitment. If you've never collected the data and had a sober vacation, you owe it to yourself to gain this new perspective."<h2>I was way more present with my family</h2><div type="image" title="Terri Peters and her daughter on a beach." height="1833" width="2444" msid="107985919" hostid="261" sizebytes="316492"></div>My kids are 13 and 15, and I know there will come a time very soon when they're out of the house and we'll take way fewer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-parents-should-do-what-kids-want-on-vacation-2024-1">family vacations</a> together. By not drinking my way through Baja California, I felt more present with my teenagers. We had deeper conversations while ocean kayaking and laughed more over long dinners in the ship's dining room. Because I wasn't worried about when the next opportunity to keep my buzz going would be, I stayed in the moment with my kids.Kuda said even when it's hard to stay present, a sober vacation is a great time to prove to yourself that you can deal with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sober-curious-best-thing-work-personal-life-2023-6">feelings like anxiety</a> or boredom without using booze to check out."Get centered in your breath and make peace with your feelings, because of course it's going to feel uncomfortable — you're giving your mind time to wander where otherwise you would have occupied it," she said. "Our brains go to places we don't want them to go, like worry and anxiety, so we instantly have this Pavlovian response that if we feel anxiousness or fear, we need to check out. If you just feel that feeling for a moment, usually it will dissipate, and you'll start to feel even more powerful because you took care of it on your own versus trying to numb it down."<h2>The travel industry is embracing alcohol-free lifestyles</h2><div type="image" title="Terri Peters and her husband drinking mocktails and a cocktail on their vacation." height="3024" width="4032" msid="107985921" hostid="261" sizebytes="1253152"></div>While I knew I'd be able to order mocktails on board our ship, I expected the selection to be sugary sips like Shirley Temples or plain club soda with lime. From the Champagne toast at the start of our voyage, when I requested and was given sparkling apple cider, I realized there would be way more to the National Geographic Venture's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/best-non-alcoholic-drinks">alcohol-free offerings</a>.Throughout the week, I enjoyed drinks made with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/kitchen/best-non-alcoholic-spirits-according-to-bartenders">dealcoholized spirits</a>, non-alcoholic wine and beer, and flavorful mocktails that went way beyond grenadine and Sprite. It was a reminder of how far the travel industry has come in offering options for people who choose not to drink alcohol but still want something that feels festive in their hands.Kuda agreed that the non-alcoholic beverage market has "really sprung up" in recent years. She said having the chance to sip a high-quality mocktail or non-alcoholic drink can remind you that a buzz isn't necessary to have a good time. "Those can be really fun things to try out and discover, hey, I'm actually drinking this because I'm having fun and not because I need to relax or I have to have a drink because I'm hung over," she said. "It's about choosing to have something fun and enjoyable, which is a really cool experience to have."<h2>I loved waking up each morning sans hangover</h2><div type="image" title="A whale with a ship in the background." height="1108" width="1478" msid="107985926" hostid="261" sizebytes="211586"></div>My booze-free vacation started most mornings with an early wake-up time so we could take part in things like snorkeling with sea lions or whale-watching. More than once, when my alarm went off at 6 a.m., I said a silent 'thank you' to myself for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/two-decades-later-sober-still-think-about-drinking-2023-9">not drinking</a>, since waking up with a hangover then hopping onto a panga boat to hunt for humpback whales sounds like a recipe for an upset stomach. Our expedition cruise took us to some incredible places and offered some unforgettable encounters with nature, and had I been hung over each morning, I'd have missed out on the magic of it all.According to Kuda, going into an alcohol-free vacation with the mindset that you're going to experience great things is key. "Don't go into it expecting it's going to be this really strugglesome time because there was a time in your life when you were able to have fun without alcohol," she said. "What if this were a reiteration or rebirth of that time when you just learn to see the things you're surrounded with through eyes of appreciation, rather than looking at what you're missing out on by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sobriety-tested-strength-when-traveling-vacationing-2023-9">not drinking</a>?"<h2>I learned I'm capable of keeping my promises to myself</h2><div type="image" title="Terri Peters with a bottle of Topo Chico." height="3024" width="4032" msid="107985929" hostid="261" sizebytes="1056672"></div>While margaritas may hit different in Mexico, you know what else does? Topo Chico sparkling water. Over the course of the week, I learned that for every thing alcohol provided for me on past vacations, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/whole-life-sober-lifestyle-plan-stay-same-way-frustrates-others-2024-1">sobriety</a> provided something even better.I sipped non-alcoholic beer after sweating on a long hike through beautiful, rocky scenery. I had delicious dinners each night complemented by a glass of non-alcoholic red wine. And throughout the experience, I was fully present with my family and in my surroundings. The feeling of knowing I can keep a commitment to myself, even in settings where alcohol used to reign supreme, was more empowering than I expected.

I went on my first sober vacation in 22 years. I didn't miss alcohol and I was more present with my family.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I've been sober for eight months and recently traveled to an all-inclusive resort.</li><li>I was nervous about the trip but ended up enjoying it so much more without alcohol. </li></ul>I recently planned a vacation with my husband to an all-inclusive resort, something I wasn't completely sold on since I've been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sober-family-vacation-didnt-miss-alcohol-more-present-2024-2">sober for the last eight months</a>. We'd visited all-inclusive resorts in the past, but my memories of those trips revolve around days spent drinking margaritas poolside and evenings fueled by wine and after-dinner cocktails.I stopped drinking cold turkey at the end of last year, desperate to shake hangovers and increased anxiety. I've found a sense of well-being in sobriety that I won't be giving up anytime soon. Still, I wondered what it'd be like to be in a booze-centric environment and abstain from alcohol.When we visited Sandals' newest adults-only, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/all-inclusive-resort-vacation-sobriety-as-couple-2024-6">all-inclusive resort</a> in St.Vincent and the Grenadines, I found that the beautiful resort and the island it lies on were way more enjoyable without the chaos alcohol brings to a vacation. Here's how I navigated being a sober person in an environment where the booze was always flowing.<h2 id="e64b783c-6b5d-4571-b038-861aade25d03">I made sure my room was stocked with alcohol-free drink options</h2><div type="image" title="Mini bar in a hotel room stocked with water bottles, juices, and sodas." height="2618" width="3490" msid="111631940" hostid="261" sizebytes="607090"></div>Even though I'm sober, my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/im-recovered-alcoholic-sober-my-husband-loves-drinking-beer-2020-6">husband still drinks alcohol</a>. I didn't request a completely "dry" room at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines — though it's not a bad idea for others looking to stay sober — because I didn't want to stop him from enjoying that aspect of the all-inclusive resort.Instead, I requested that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/best-non-alcoholic-drinks">non-alcoholic drinks</a> be stocked in our room in addition to things like the wine and vodka that were included. With ingredients like club soda, Diet Coke, and grapefruit juice on hand, it was easy to sip a mocktail whenever I wanted.<h2 id="c8400906-e78d-4d35-b61b-08b8d2dcf36e">"Quit lit" books and sobriety podcasts made me feel less alone in my choice to abstain</h2><div type="image" title="Terri Peters is reading her Kindle while wearing a bathing suit and sunglasses and swimming in the water in a yellow raft." height="600" width="800" msid="111631942" hostid="261" sizebytes="60460"></div>While I'm sober, I don't consider myself an alcoholic or work with a support group or sponsor to maintain my sobriety. To make sure I didn't feel alone in my choice to be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sober-all-inclusive-vacation-sobriety-relapse-drinking-grief-2024-2">sober at an all-inclusive resort</a>, I listened to sobriety podcasts like "The Sober Mom Life" and read "quit lit" on my Kindle.Having books like "Unbottled Potential: Break Up with Alcohol and Break Through to Your Best Life" by Amanda Kuda at the ready was a great way to keep other sober voices in my head throughout the trip.<h2 id="9cd09eef-8d28-467e-a4fb-3ee1658509fb">The resort offered so many great booze-free drinks that I didn't miss alcohol</h2><div type="image" title="The author sitting at an outdoor bar, wearing a pink dress and sunglasses on her head and holding two drinks." height="3024" width="4032" msid="111631934" hostid="261" sizebytes="792144"></div>Sandals had a great selection of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reviewing-favorite-nonalcoholic-cocktail-recipes-from-popular-chefs">fresh juices and mocktails</a> available across its bars and restaurants, so there was never a time when I felt like everyone else had a fun drink, and I was left sipping water. I used my time at the resort, where everything was included, to try new drinks, and even found a refreshing new summertime favorite: coconut water with ice and a lime.<h2 id="f52f8524-d8ce-421e-b56b-aa1e6e683147">I also had fun trying new-to-me treats on excursions</h2><div type="image" title="Terri Peters holding a bag of chips and a lime green beverage. She is wearing sunglasses on her head and a button-up shirt, standing on a beach, and there is a boat behind her" height="2333" width="3024" msid="111631947" hostid="261" sizebytes="724296"></div>On days when we went on excursions around St. Vincent, I used the travel time to explore food and drink options I'd never find at home. From sorrel, a hibiscus and ginger drink I ordered at a bar on Mustique, to a line of canned sparkling water from the makers of Angostura bitters, there were many new-to-me drinks to try that kept me from craving alcohol.<h2 id="39022e08-b379-4fa7-9f73-432d2790ab42">Focusing on the flavors of the food at Sandals — rather than alcohol — made dinners feel special</h2><div type="image" title="Tray with green and white checkered napkin and jerk pork with sauce." height="3024" width="4032" msid="111631948" hostid="261" sizebytes="595730"></div>Sandals has more than 10 restaurants on its St. Vincent property, so there was always some kind of food to try, from coconut macaroons at the coffee shop to jerk pork at our favorite lunch spot.During <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sobriety-stopped-drinking-secretly-alcohol-identity-2024-4">my drinking days</a>, food and wine went hand-in-hand, so it was refreshing to really focus on the flavors in the food at the resort rather than drift through each meal slightly tipsy and be left with little recollection of what was served.<h2 id="2dc849db-98ec-415f-af72-88b0fc69ca52">I filled my downtime at the resort with activities</h2><div type="image" title="Iced latte and two trays of colorful beads sitting on a wooden table" height="3024" width="4032" msid="111631936" hostid="261" sizebytes="288020"></div>There were plenty of activities on the schedule at our resort, from poolside movies in the evenings to dance parties with Caribbean performers. I attended a bracelet-making class one morning with an iced latte in hand, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tart-cherry-juice-mocktail-dietitian-approved-muscle-recovery-sleep-2023-10">sipped mocktails</a> at the property's rum bar one evening while watching guests do karaoke. Focusing on things to do rather than things to drink was the key to having a really great time in every circumstance.<h2 id="dabd7406-d244-4cff-bdb3-c5927483ab39">My trip only solidified my decision to be sober</h2><div type="image" title="Terri Peters is riding a bike at sunset, wearing a white dress and sunglasses. She is at a resort with palm trees in the background." height="3024" width="4032" msid="111631931" hostid="261" sizebytes="1195854"></div>I spent many years trying to moderate my drinking and find a happy medium that would allow me to have my nightly wine but not feel like garbage the next day. As a sober person, the burden of worrying about when to switch to water or whether I'm talking too loud because I'm tipsy are now non-issues, and I feel a freedom I wish I could impart to others.Visiting an all-inclusive resort as a non-drinker was a great experience for me — something I can't wait to do again. While I worried I'd feel like I was missing out on the value of an all-inclusive being sober, I realized the real benefit was the incredible scenery, delicious food, and relaxing activities. To my surprise, I didn't need a drink in my hand to enjoy everything the resort had to offer.

I went to an all-inclusive resort 8 months into my sobriety. I stayed sober by drinking mocktails and taking advantage of activities.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Amanda Kuda is a life coach for people who are sober-curious and alcohol-free.</li><li>She quit drinking for Dry January seven years ago and never looked back.</li></ul>Amanda Kuda hasn't had a drink since January 1, 2017.Her intention was to give up drinking just for Dry January. Kuda told Insider that she identified as a moderate drinker at the time; she would <a href="https://www.insider.com/woman-who-quit-alcohol-describes-three-signs-of-drinking-problem-2023-1">imbibe on the weekends</a> by setting a three-drink limit and making sure to alternate with water, or just <a href="https://www.insider.com/beer-a-day-could-age-brain-two-years-study-2022-3">sticking to beer</a>. But by making so many rules in an attempt at moderation, Kuda said she felt like she was setting herself up for failure. If she broke a rule, she would feel down about it. She decided to stop drinking cold turkey so that she wouldn't have to think so much about it, she said."That was a really freeing and empowering feeling," Kuda told Insider. Kuda started to like how she felt without alcohol. She set new goals to make it to 90 days sober, then reached for a year. She's now been alcohol-free for seven years and has used her <a href="https://www.amandakuda.com/about">life coaching certifications</a> to mentor women who want to "break up with alcohol," for Dry January — or for good.If you're trying Dry January, it's common to feel your <a href="https://www.insider.com/when-most-people-fail-dry-january-how-to-avoid-recover-2022-1">morale slip a bit</a>. Here are some of Kuda's tips for staying on track until the end of Dry January, or staying sober for the rest of the year.<h2>1. Don't be afraid to turn down plans</h2>If you're setting the goal of <a href="https://www.insider.com/dry-january-tips-first-timers-2022-12">not drinking alcohol this January</a>, there's a good chance you have a couple of friends on the wagon with you. But it's likely that at some point, one or more of them will fall off. "As unfortunate as it sounds, it's also very likely that they will try to take you with them," Kuda said. "It's not because your friends don't have your best interests at heart. It's because they have their best interests at heart."Keeping up with your friends who haven't stuck to their resolutions may make them feel more comfortable, but it could derail your own progress."If you don't feel like you have enough resolve and willpower to be around a person, or be at a place, or go to an event — just for this one month, just don't go," Kuda said. There's no shame in leaving early if you feel uncomfortable in a situation involving alcohol or peer pressure. You don't even have to say goodbye, Kuda said, as long as make sure to send a text to let your friends know you're okay.<h2>2. Find something else to do</h2>When Kuda looks back on her weekends of drinking, she said she used to think that the only thing to do on a Friday or Saturday night was to "go to the bars and party." But quitting drinking forced her to stretch her mind and exposed her to new opportunities. "Once I opened up my field of vision to other possibilities, there were poetry nights or craft things or art shows, or even music events that were a little more low-key," she said.Even if it seems like all of your friends are interested in going out for a drink, there's no harm in suggesting an alternative plan. Kuda recommended saying "Hey, I'm not up for that," and offering to host a mocktail night, or checking sites like Eventbrite for new things to do."You will probably find something really cool that you would have never even thought of doing on a Friday or Saturday night, where you can meet new, like-minded people," she said.<h2>3. Remember the hangover</h2>If all else fails, there are always memories of hangovers past to remind you why you quit drinking in the first place.Kuda said the most tempting event during her first 90 days without alcohol was an all-inclusive vacation wedding in Mexico.She remembers offers of complimentary Champagne, and as she walked by the swim-up bar, she couldn't help scanning the nicer-looking bottles."Even the things that were on the top shelf still screamed 'brutal hangover,'" she said. In her brush with temptation, Kuda said she quickly realized that even though the alcohol was free of charge, it would still come at the cost of feeling physically unwell.She decided to go to the juice bar instead and never looked back.

A life coach has been sober for 7 years after trying Dry January. She shared 3 tips for anyone else who wants to quit drinking for good.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ibrahim Nazeer, 43, is a scuba divemaster at the <keyword id="11970521" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="four-seasons" source="Orion">Four Seasons</keyword> Resort in the <keyword id="11900669" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="maldives" source="Orion">Maldives</keyword>.</li><li>He leads scuba dives for resort guests, some of whom charter a private catamaran for $19,000 a day.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ibrahim Nazeer, a scuba divemaster from the Maldives, about his job. It has been edited for length and clarity.Ever since my first scuba dive, I've loved being underwater. Luckily for me it's one of my job requirements.I didn't grow up loving the ocean. I was born and raised on Bodu Huraa in the Maldives where kids are taught to fear the sea — it's how parents keep us safe. My first scuba dive at 22 felt like entering a new, profoundly meditative world. I fell in love with the experience, and I wanted to share its magic with everyone. That first dive was in 2001 when the Four Seasons offered the entire staff an opportunity to get their PADI Open Water certification. I'd been working for the resort in Kuda Huraa since construction began in 1993 when I was 16. The resort opened in 1996, and over the years I've worn many hats working in the landscaping department, construction, laundry and housekeeping, hospitality, and now <keyword id="11994326" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="scuba-diving" source="Orion">scuba diving</keyword>.<div type="image" title="Courtesy Four Season Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. Ibrahim Nazeer" height="577" width="770" msid="88884036" hostid="261"></div>When the Four Seasons started a divemaster apprenticeship program, I was the first one to join. The resort had just purchased the Four Seasons Explorer, a luxury live-aboard <keyword id="12346431" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="diving" source="Orion">diving</keyword> catamaran, so my first job was identifying bucket-list dive sites for guests. It was a great adventure getting to explore my country underwater. Since then, I've been on over 10,000 dives. <h2>I've dived with all kinds of guests, from celebrities to business execs to regular families</h2>Hollywood stars and footballers from the English Premier League have followed me underwater. It's not rare for one of our guests to charter the entire 11-cabin Four Seasons Explorer for their family and friends for complete privacy. A minimum three-night booking is required for a private charter and the price starts at $19,000 per day.<div type="image" title="Photo Courtesy Four Season Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa" height="1078" width="1438" msid="88884038" hostid="261"></div>Some guests have extremely particular requests, like one guest who would only dive in crystal clear water with at least 30-meter visibility. To accommodate, I had to dive each site in advance to ensure that they met his specific requirements, which was very time-consuming because visibility can change quickly underwater, especially in the wet season.<h2>Guests often tell us they want to swim with sharks</h2>Here in Kuda Huraa, we have reef sharks that are safe to swim with, such as blacktip reef sharks, silvertip reef sharks, and whitetip reef sharks. Once, a tiger shark came right up to me — it's considered one of the most dangerous shark species to humans and we rarely see them in the waters here. As an experienced diver, I remained calm and maintained eye contact with the shark, and we took a good long stare at each other. The tiger shark was merely curious and meant no harm. <div type="image" title="Courtesy Four Season Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. Ibrahim Nazeer" height="1280" width="1708" msid="88884040" hostid="261"></div>I always tell guests that when encountering a shark underwater, it's important to swim slowly and make sure not to flail around. My favorite dives are with sharks, there's nothing like it, and although I have a healthy respect for them, I no longer fear them. <h2>The best part of my job is sharing these bucket list experiences with my guests</h2>Scuba diving is one of our resort's most popular activities, and my favorite part of the job is working with first-time divers. They're always nervous at first but seeing the happiness spread across their face afterward always reminds me of my first dive. Over the years, I've also found secret diving spots that no one else knows about. Despite having been diving for 22 years, I love that it never gets old — there's always more to discover underwater.

I lead scuba dives at a luxury island resort, where a private charter costs $19,000 a day. Here's what my job is like.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>On TikTok, the hashtag #dryjanuary has over 100 million views. </li><li>Creators are using the hashtag to share stories about how and why they got sober. </li></ul>Sobriety influencers on TikTok are sharing testimonies about how quitting drinking changed their lives to inspire others who are attempting Dry January this year.The hashtag <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dryjanuary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#dryjanuary</a>, which refers to a campaign originally created by Alcohol Change UK to encourage people to abstain from drinking for the first month of the year, has 128 million views. The majority of top-liked videos under the tag were posted at the end of 2022 and 2021, as it is becoming more common for creators to share stories about quitting, often going viral in the process. Daniel Patterson, who describes himself as a "sober husband" and father in his TikTok bio, received 7 million views on a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@pattersonperspective/video/7183537985621593390?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> from December 31 about how he stopped drinking alcohol eight years ago. Patterson said on New Year's Eve that year, he went to a restaurant with his wife and daughter and had three glasses of white wine and another double bottle of chardonnay before going to sleep. After waking up the next morning with auditory hallucinations — which can occur during or after a period of heavy alcohol consumption <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3830167/#:~:text=Alcoholic%20hallucinosis%20is%20a%20rare,differentiated%20it%20from%20Delirium%20Tremens." target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the National Library of Medicine</a> — he said he went to see a doctor. After this encounter, he said he hung a calendar in his kitchen and marked each day he didn't drink."I didn't go to sleep on New Year's Eve thinking I'm going to quit," Patterson said, adding, "I just had to take it one fucking step at a time, one moment at a time, and tomorrow when I wake up, I will be eight years sober." Viewers thanked Patterson for telling his story, and some began sharing their own experiences with giving up alcohol."That's awesome man! 77 days sober for me," wrote one commenter, while another said, "Thank you for being REAL."On December 31, a user named @authenticallyamanda, whose bio says she posts "Daily videos about living alcohol-free," shared a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@amanda.kuda/video/7183402001349365035?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">testimony</a> about why she decided to try Dry January for the first time in 2017, receiving 150,000 views. She said that on New Year's Eve in 2016, she was "so fucking hungover," and that she had "gone out the night before, as per usual, with the plan to have just a few, and just a few turned into a few too many." Amanda said that her drinking behavior was "normalized," adding, "all of my friends were successful and drinking just as much as me on the weekends," which meant that she was afraid to take a break from alcohol because she felt "afraid to be different." After setting out to try Dry January, she said that she eventually decided to stop drinking altogether. "Each day I remained alcohol-free, I became more confident and I was able to tune more deeply into myself," she said. Commenters under Amanda's video said her story inspired them to try Dry January for themselves. "I'm doing this. I'm fed up," wrote one viewer. "I needed to hear this! I feel terrible today. Drank too much last night. I'm so down on myself and I deserve better," wrote another, to which Amanda replied, "You 100 deserve better. Cheering for you." Another user who goes by the name @eatlizabeth, shared a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@eatlizabeth/video/7182057608491142442?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">montage</a> of photos of herself from before and after she stopped drinking alcohol on December 28, receiving 298,000 views. Elizabeth said she recalled feeling that "my drinking was beginning to take over my life," and said that decided to stop drinking 90 days ago, remaining sober ever since. Commenters told Elizabeth they were "proud" of her decision and added that they thought she looked happier and more "full of life" in the photos from after she quit drinking. More and more young people are cutting down on their drinking habits, <a href="https://www.insider.com/timeline-of-the-sober-curious-movement-2022-12#the-sober-curious-movement-began-to-form-around-2018-3">inspiring a movement known as "sober curious,</a>" and posting about their journeys on social media, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/young-women-sober-curious-movement-bella-hadid-kin-ritual-2021-11">Insider previously reported</a>. <a href="https://www.insider.com/culture">For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.</a>

Sober TikTokers are sharing their stories about how they stopped drinking to inspire people trying Dry January

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Arthur Chatto, <keyword id="67995" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Queen-Elizabeth-II">Queen Elizabeth II</keyword>'s grandnephew, is making headlines after sharing an online workout video. </li><li>The 21-year-old personal trainer, who is Princess Margaret's grandson, works at a gym in Scotland. </li><li>Chatto was hailed as the next <keyword id="17995" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Prince-Harry">Prince Harry</keyword> after attending his second cousin's wedding to Meghan Markle.</li></ul>When it comes to the <keyword id="6418563" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Royals">royals</keyword>, the headlines are usually <a href="https://www.insider.com/kate-middleton-surprised-prince-harry-meghan-markle-birthday-gifts-2021-1">dominated by Prince Harry, Meghan Markle</a>, or <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uk-queen-elizabeth-ii-prince-philip-receive-covid-19-vaccinations-2021-1">the Queen</a> herself. But this week it was <a href="https://www.insider.com/meet-the-new-royal-fans-are-calling-the-next-prince-harry-2017-8">Arthur Chatto, Queen Elizabeth II's grandnephew</a>, who found himself in the news after he shared his first online workout video. Chatto - who is <a href="https://www.insider.com/mustique-private-island-royal-family-celebrity-favorite-2019-7">Princess Margaret's</a> grandson - currently works as a personal trainer at <a href="https://boundfitness.co.uk/">BoundFitness</a> in Scotland, where he's also studying for his geography degree at the University of Edinburgh, according to <a href="https://www.tatler.com/article/arthur-chatto-online-workout">Tatler</a>.Gyms are currently closed in Scotland due to the ongoing pandemic, but the 21-year-old has been sharing his workout tips on BoundFitness' Instagram page. Chatto and Kuda Tapatapa, the founder of BoundFitness, also recently posted a live 50-minute HIIT workout video. It wasn't just Chatto's technique that viewers were focusing on."It looks like hard work…maybe take your top off," one commenter wrote, according to <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9140751/SEBASTIAN-SHAKESPEARE-Queens-hunky-great-nephew-muscles-TVs-Joe-Wicks-online-workout.html">MailOnline</a>. "So muscular…so sexy," another added. Chatto, who is 26th in line to the British throne, specializes in "strength and endurance training with a military focus," according to his bio on BoundFitness' Instagram page. "I was lucky enough to row around the UK this summer!" he added in the caption. "This gave me a lot of experience in training myself and the team to complete the challenging expedition. I've found physical training to be an essential cornerstone in improving my own mental health and I want to share this with others."Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/royal-family-tree-british-monarchy-house-of-windsor-2018-5">Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, just tested positive for coronavirus. Here's a look at the monarchy's full family tree.</a>Chatto and three of his friends spent 42 days rowing around Great Britain to raise money for the British Red Cross. They're the youngest team to ever complete the 2,000-mile journey, which <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CEnHgagp2gl/">earned them a Guinness World Record</a>. Chatto has shared numerous pictures and clips of his adventures on Instagram, along with a few shirtless photos for his fans.Like Prince William and Prince Harry, Chatto is a graduate of <a href="https://www.insider.com/inside-prince-harry-eton-college-dorm-room-with-portrait-of-princess-diana-2018-8">Eton College</a> - one of the most prestigious schools in the world. Chatto was hailed as the next Prince Harry after he attended his second cousin's <a href="https://www.insider.com/rare-photos-prince-harry-meghan-markle-royal-wedding-2020-5">wedding to Meghan Markle</a> in May 2018 with his mother, Lady Sarah Chatto.<div type="image" title="Arthur Chatto" height="3064" width="2000" msid="80290255" hostid="261"></div><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/meghan-markle-prince-harry-could-return-to-uk-queen-birthday-2021-1">Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could reportedly return to the UK for the Queen's birthday in June</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/kate-middleton-surprised-prince-harry-meghan-markle-birthday-gifts-2021-1">Kate Middleton was reportedly surprised when Meghan Markle and Prince Harry sent her birthday gifts because she 'wasn't expecting anything from the couple'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/meghan-markle-kate-middleton-wedding-dress-embroiderer-nearly-homeless-2020-12">A woman who helped make both Kate Middleton's and Meghan Markle's wedding dresses says she's on the brink of homelessness</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/princess-maertha-louise-called-white-devil-racists-interracial-relationship-2020-12">Princess Märtha Louise says the press turned on her for calling out its racist treatment of her boyfriend, and it's similar to the backlash Meghan Markle faced</a></li></ul>

The Queen's grandnephew, once dubbed the next Prince Harry, finds new fans with his first online workout video

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This is a preview of The Global Neobanks Report from Business Insider Intelligence.</li><li><a href="https://store.businessinsider.com/products/the-global-neobanks-report?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=content_marketing&amp;itm_campaign=report_teaser&amp;itm_content=full_report_text&amp;itm_term=store_text_link-global-neobanks-report-2019-12&amp;vertical=banking#!/">Purchase this report.</a></li><li><a href="https://store.businessinsider.com/products/banking-pro?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=content_marketing&amp;itm_campaign=report_teaser&amp;itm_content=top_text&amp;itm_term=bii_subscription_text_link-global-neobanks-report">Business Insider Intelligence offers even more insights like this with our brand new Banking coverage. Subscribe today to receive industry-changing banking news and analysis to your inbox.</a></li></ul>Neobanks - digital-only banks with industry-leading capabilities that don't operate physical branches or rely on legacy back-ends - have exploded onto the global scene in recent years.Increased consumer interest in neobanks is stimulating competition globally, creating an increasingly competitive landscape which has driven neobanks to roll out extravagant features, like overdraft protection and sign-up incentives. Beyond scaling rapidly by user count, neobanks are navigating the best route to profitability. Today, the average neobank loses $11 per user, per Accenture, and though neobanks' expenses are partially offset by not operating costly branch networks, they still need to find sustainable business models.Some major strategies are beginning to coalesce: Most neobanks operate under a "freemium" model, in which they offer their product for free, but charge for additional features, while others offer multitier subscriptions with varying levels of premium accounts. Additionally, other players are targeting niche segments, like small businesses or gig economy workers, in their pursuit of profitability.In The Global Neobanks report, Business Insider Intelligence explores how the neobank market has grown rapidly, and what's in store as the industry pivots from hyper-growth to sustainability. We discuss how 26 neobanks in key global markets are prioritizing scale versus profitability, identifying best practices to emulate and pitfalls to avoid.The companies mentioned in the report include: ABN Amro, Adyen, Ant financial, ANZ, Aspiration, Banco Inter, Bank Leumi, Banco Sabadell, Banco Votorantim, Bnext, bunq, Chime, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Dave, Finleap, ING, Judo, Klar, Kuda, Mastercard, Monzo, Moven, MYbank, National Australia Bank, Neon, Nubank, N26, OakNorth, Open, Pepper, Penta, Revolut, Raising, Rabobank, Santander, Starling, Standard Chartered, Tandem, TD Bank, TransferWise, Tencent, Uala, Uber, Volt, Varo, WeBank, Westpac, Xinja, 86 400.Here are some key takeaways from the report: <ul><li>With an estimated 39 million users globally, neobanks' valuations have skyrocketed thanks to their attractive value propositions which include personal finance management features, low rates, and superior user experiences.</li><li>But the same features that have helped neobanks catch on have pushed profitability further out of reach. Neobanks have been forced to roll out flashy features to stand out to users, and marketing these features has driven up expenses. </li><li>There's no universal path to profitability for neobanks - but a few major categories are emerging. Freemium pricing strategies, multitiered subscriptions, and targeting niche demographics are three strategies neobanks are employing in pursuit of profit. </li><li>Individual neobank landscapes vary by market, but their inherent advantages are allowing neobanks to emerge in markets globally. Regional factors have made certain markets particularly ripe, such as fintech-friendly regulations, negative consumer perceptions of incumbents, and gaps in banking services for underbanked populations. </li></ul>In full, the report: <ul><li>Sizes the neobank market by value, number of users, and number of accounts to 2024.</li><li>Explores the factors that will propel the neobank market to new heights over the next five years, and the challenge of reaching profitability underpinning this growth.</li><li>Highlights key players in various global markets - including Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa - that are representative of the general neobank landscape and that have excelled in global footprint, features, users, or total funding raised. </li><li>Spotlights some of the smaller players that represent the emerging opportunity in a given market.</li><li>Discusses how different neobanks in key global markets are prioritizing scale versus profitability, identifying best practices to emulate and pitfalls to avoid. </li></ul>Interested in getting the full report? 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THE GLOBAL NEOBANKS REPORT: How 26 upstarts are winning customers and pivoting from hyper-growth to profitability in a $27 billion market

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image">REUTERS/Reinhard Krause The sun rises over an island at Har Alif Atoll December 12, 2009.</div></div></div>
Residents of a remote atoll in the Indian Ocean claim to have seen a "low flying jumbo jet" on the morning after Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished, <a href="http://www.haveeru.com.mv/news/54062">according to a report</a> in the Maldives paper Haveeru Daily.
Maldives, a collection of coral atolls and islets, has a population of some 400,000 islanders. <a href="https://twitter.com/haveeruonline">Haveeru Daily</a> is the area's longest serving daily newspaper.
Several Maldives residents on the island of Kuda Huvadhoo told Haveeru that they saw a large white aircraft, with red stripes across it (like Malaysia Airlines planes) around 6:15 am local time (9:15 Malaysia time) on March 8.
From <a href="http://www.haveeru.com.mv/news/54062">Haveeru</a>:
Eyewitnesses from the Kuda Huvadhoo concurred that the aeroplane was travelling North to South-East, towards the Southern tip of the Maldives - Addu. They also noted the incredibly loud noise that the flight made when it flew over the island. 
"I've never seen a jet flying so low over our island before. We've seen seaplanes, but I'm sure that this was not one of those. I could even make out the doors on the plane clearly," said an eyewitness. ... 
A local aviation expert told Haveeru that the possibility of any aircraft flying over the island at the reported time is extremely low. 
The Island Councilor of Kuda Huvadhoo told Haveeru that several of the islanders had spoken about the incident.
<div><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image">Google Maps</div></div></div>
If true, that would upend the leading theories about where the plane went after making a hard turn west into the Strait of Malaka.
The biggest problem with this report, beyond trusting eyewitnesses, is that a final satellite communication - received from the plane at 8:11 a.m. Malaysia time (5:11 a.m. Maldives time) - placed it somewhere in one of two corridors that are nowhere near the Maldives.
In any case, the accounts from the Maldives are another anomaly in the search for the missing plane and the 239 people who were onboard.
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image">REUTERS</div></div>

You Searched For "kuda" and got 10 results

I went on my first sober vacation in 22 years. I didn't miss alcohol and I was more present with my family.

Terri Peters

I went to an all-inclusive resort 8 months into my sobriety. I stayed sober by drinking mocktails and taking advantage of activities.

Terri Peters

A life coach has been sober for 7 years after trying Dry January. She shared 3 tips for anyone else who wants to quit drinking for good.

Andrea Michelson

I lead scuba dives at a luxury island resort, where a private charter costs $19,000 a day. Here's what my job is like.

Kaila Yu

Sober TikTokers are sharing their stories about how they stopped drinking to inspire people trying Dry January

Charissa Cheong

The Queen's grandnephew, once dubbed the next Prince Harry, finds new fans with his first online workout video

Anneta Konstantinides

THE GLOBAL NEOBANKS REPORT: How 26 upstarts are winning customers and pivoting from hyper-growth to profitability in a $27 billion market

Rachel Green

THE GLOBAL NEOBANKS REPORT: How 26 upstarts are winning customers and pivoting from hyper-growth to profitability in a $27 billion market

Rachel Green

THE GLOBAL NEOBANKS REPORT: How 26 upstarts are winning customers and pivoting from hyper-growth to profitability in a $27 billion market

Rachel Green

Remote Islanders In The Indian Ocean Claim They Saw The Missing Malaysia Plane

Michael Kelley

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