How I Changed My Barcelona Lifestyle into an Alcohol-Free, Healthy Life
In this blog, I share my story of switching from the Barcelona drinking culture to a completely alcohol-free lifestyle, while still enjoying the city’s vibrant social scene.
I hope it inspires you to explore the freedom of choosing a lifestyle that truly fits you, one that keeps you healthy and connected to yourself.
Barcelona is a vibrant city with a rich, social culture. The sunshine, the Mediterranean Sea, and so many outdoor activities.
A lot of these moments end up or naturally go together with alcohol. A beer on the terrace, a bottle of wine in the park, or a glass of Cava during the day. Then, often, the night repeats with a Gin Tonic or another drink.
Maybe not every day,
but can you say exactly how many days last month?
I love spending time with friends in the park or by the sea, meeting for dinner or sitting together on a sunny terrace. Moving to Barcelona from the Netherlands, I enjoyed the social life here under the sun, the palm trees, and the open, friendly atmosphere. It’s easy to meet people outdoors; the energy feels alive.
But after a few years of living here, I started to gain weight. My menopause had arrived, my eating habits had changed, and I had shifted from being a yoga teacher in the Netherlands to working an office job in Barcelona with a lovely after-work drink culture.
Barcelona Moments
How It Often Starts…
How Alcohol Did Not Help at All During My Menopause
Alcohol is pure poison for the body, even one glass. We can’t deny this anymore.
And although your liver is brilliant at doing its job, detoxifying the alcohol you consume, it can only do so much. When you get older, and menopause or other hormonal changes begin, your liver needs your support to do what it does best: detoxify.
The liver.. your best friend during menopause
The liver plays a key role in clearing excess estrogen from the body.
A healthy diet strengthens detoxification and hormone balance.
Alcohol, like processed foods and toxins, strains the liver and interferes with its ability to metabolize hormones.
During perimenopause and menopause, reduced liver efficiency can make it harder to clear excess estrogen, leading to bloating, mood swings, or irregular periods.
Supporting the liver with fibre-rich foods, hydration, and an alcohol-free lifestyle promotes natural hormone balance.
To put it simply:
During menopause, the body’s natural detoxification slows down, especially in the liver, which processes both hormones and alcohol. When alcohol is present, the liver prioritizes breaking it down first, leaving excess estrogen and other substances to circulate longer.
This can intensify symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood swings.
By living an alcohol-free lifestyle, you allow your liver to focus on hormone metabolism and detoxification, supporting steadier energy, clearer skin, and a more balanced mood.
How I Switched from a “With-Alcohol” Barcelona Lifestyle to a “Completely Alcohol-Free” Life
Change begins with awareness.
For me, it started after the Covid years. I began noticing small changes in my health and told myself: “I just want to stop drinking during the week.”
But soon I realized that my surroundings weren’t in the same mindset.
“Ah, come on, one drink can’t hurt,” or “I have a bottle of wine, I can’t drink it alone, join me.”
There’s often a kind of non-acceptance when you start changing your life. Many people still think you’re less fun if you don’t join them for a drink.
And then there’s that moment, you walk home from the gym, pass a terrace, and by coincidence see some friends. You join for one drink, just to have one more.
Does this sound familiar?
The days pass by.
The extra kilos say hello.
Another New Year’s Eve arrives, and before you know it, a few years have passed.
And this is just the situation of the average occasional drinker in Barcelona.
Then came a turning point.
I received devastating news: the father of my child and my best friend was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer.
Life paused and brought me straight back to the present.
In that moment, it was crystal clear: I want to grow old and live a healthy life.
From that day on, I stopped drinking alcohol completely.
How I started feeling after I stopped drinking alcohol completely
The change felt beautiful. I wanted to cook more vegetables, eat more nutrient-dense food, and enjoy preparing colorful, fresh meals.
I still went out with my friends and continued to enjoy my social Barcelona life, only now I ordered a 0.0 beer or a Vichy Catalan water.
That was three years ago.
What I’ve noticed since is that my friends automatically buy me a 0.0 beer, they no longer ask if I want alcohol. I’m not less fun, quite the opposite. Many friends now ask how I did it.
How I changed my lifestyle in such a vibrant city full of life and alcohol.
My answer is simple:
Keep saying no thank you.
Respect your body and your choices.
Take the freedom to live the way you truly want.
Decide how you want to grow older.
I feel a deeper connection with myself. My mind is clear. I went through menopause with far fewer complaints. I still have to work a bit to lose those menopause kilos, but my skin is clearer, my focus sharper, and my sleep steady.
Was it worth it? Yes.
Do I still enjoy the vibrant Barcelona lifestyle? Yes.
Ready to Create Your Own Alcohol-Free Lifestyle?
Do you live in Barcelona? Does this sound familiar?
Are you in pre-menopause or menopause?
Would you like to join me in creating a Barcelona lifestyle free of alcohol, maybe with some friends too?
Let’s connect.
Namaste,
Dafni