Pass Valentine Day without issues

Hey @GeminiLion 👋🏻.
It sounds like you have lots to be proud of. It's really hard when you are trying to achieve something like not drinking and it limits your social life. In my experiences it's worth sticking at until you find the place that works for you in a healthy way. It doesn't make it easy and there might be days where there is a hollowness rather than a sense of achievement.
I'm a little opposite to you but wanted to recognise that we all have challenges. For me it was always depending on someone and living for someone else. I was never alone long before I'd find the next person (4 months was the longest from aged 15 to mid 40s. The thought of being by myself scared me so much. It's now been 6 years and I'm ok with being alone now. It took a long time to get to this point. I think the main thing is to find how to be you, and find shared experiences along the way with others that make good memories. I have began to realise it doesn't have to be with people you'll share your life with but it can be as simple as a moment in time with an acquaintance. I recently experienced this in a mental health respite program.

I have a couple of male friends who've never married and not had long term relationships in their late 50s but have carved out a life of pursuing their interests and hobbies, sometimes on their own. I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for them. For me personally I struggle to go out or do anything on my own still but find some peace and solace in my own company for the first time in my life (I'm in my 50s).

Keep kicking you personal goals. They are always important and end up an integral part of your character and integrity in any new relationships (intimate or not).

Again great job for achieving the things you have 👍🏻🎉 🥳.

Best wishes. 😊