Drinks-wise, I stick to water, sometimes a Diet Coke.

The words of Steph McGovern—“Drinks-wise, I stick to water, sometimes a Diet Coke”—though simple in form, hold within them a quiet and enduring truth about balance, discipline, and contentment. They may seem at first a casual remark about daily habit, yet they reflect a deeper wisdom about moderation and clarity of life. In a world overflowing with choices and temptations—where sweetness and indulgence flow more easily than simplicity—McGovern’s preference for water stands as a symbol of purity, restraint, and self-awareness. It is a humble reminder that greatness is not always found in abundance, but often in simplicity.

To “stick to water” is to align oneself with nature’s most essential gift. Since the dawn of time, water has been the element of renewal—the first medicine, the primal nourishment, the mirror of life itself. The ancients called it sacred: the Greeks saw it as one of the four fundamental elements, the Egyptians worshipped it as the source of creation, and the poets of every age have sung of its purity. In choosing water, McGovern chooses not merely a drink, but a philosophy of life—one that honors clarity over clutter, need over want, and essence over excess.

And yet, she adds, “sometimes a Diet Coke.” This is no contradiction—it is confession, and balance. For a life too rigid becomes brittle, and even the disciplined must allow room for delight. The ancients called this the golden mean—the path between indulgence and denial. Aristotle taught that virtue lies not in extremes but in harmony. McGovern’s words echo that same harmony: her Diet Coke is the modern indulgence—a small spark of joy in an otherwise measured existence. It is a reminder that perfection is not purity alone, but equilibrium.

The origin of such a sentiment arises from a life of purpose. As a broadcaster and journalist, McGovern’s work demands clarity, energy, and focus—the very virtues water embodies. But more than that, her statement reflects the wisdom of those who lead busy, public lives and yet seek stillness within them. To “stick to water” is not only a physical choice; it is a spiritual one, a discipline that reflects how one chooses to sustain both body and mind. Just as the great leaders of history—figures like Mahatma Gandhi or Marcus Aurelius—found strength in simplicity, so too does McGovern’s quiet commitment to moderation stand as a small act of modern stoicism.

Consider the example of Cato the Younger, the Roman statesman famed for his virtue and restraint. While others in the Senate feasted on wine and lavish meals, Cato drank only water, believing that clarity of thought required clarity of consumption. His discipline was not an act of pride but of purpose: he sought mastery over desire, knowing that he who governs himself governs all. Though separated by centuries, McGovern’s words share the same spirit—an understanding that discipline brings freedom, and that by choosing simply, we make space for strength and focus to flourish.

There is, too, a poetic beauty in her restraint. To choose water in a world of excess is to make a quiet stand against chaos—to say, I will not be ruled by want. It is a reminder that satisfaction is not found in novelty, but in contentment. And the addition of the Diet Coke—occasional, harmless, joyful—reminds us that even the disciplined must laugh at their own austerity. For joy is not the enemy of virtue; it is its companion. The wise know when to abstain and when to indulge, when to hold fast and when to release.

Let this be the lesson passed down: Seek simplicity, but not severity. Drink deeply of what purifies, but allow yourself small sweetnesses that make the heart light. Whether in food, in possessions, or in thought, practice the art of moderation. Choose clarity over clutter, substance over show, and balance over excess. In a time when the world races toward indulgence, let your choices be calm, deliberate, and pure as water.

So remember the quiet wisdom of Steph McGovern: “I stick to water, sometimes a Diet Coke.” These are not just words about drink—they are a way of life. For in water lies the lesson of renewal, in discipline the seed of peace, and in balance the strength to live well. Drink, then, from the well of simplicity, and let your life, like water, be clear, steady, and full of light.