Beyond Dry January: why the Sober Curious journey is just getting started
So you did a dry January?! That's awesome, I'm super stoked for you!
Or maybe your January was damp (drinking less and being more mindful of your consumption) Either way if you used the dark days of winter for self-reflection and introspection around your relationship to booze, I'm proud of you! I'm sure you learned something about your physical, mental and emotional health...which of course is the whole point of being curious.
Now comes the obvious and critical fork on this mindfulness path: you could go back to drinking or you could keep the Sober Curious vibes going.
What often happens after a period of fasting to abstinence is that we go off the rails and overconsume. The Sober Curious journey isn't like the Christian practice of Lent or Muslim practice of Ramadan where fasting or abstinence happen and then poof folks return to "real life."
The Sober Curious journey IS your real life my friend. You gave yourself this time to get curious and notice how bright, you could be outside the bottle. You might be feeling more grounded and present, which of course is the whole point! You made a meaningful change to your health, so keep that positive momentum moving forward!
Rather than celebrating a month of not drinking by having a drink (seriously, some silly soul is out there with a tequila shot in their hand saying, "dude I just survived a Dry January!") here's what you can do instead:
🍹✨ Mocktail party on repeat: Keep making the mocktails at home or ordering the N/A drinks at the bar. Perhaps you found a few options that you liked during January so don't stop enjoying them just because the calendar flipped. Want to save some cash on my favorite N/A cocktails? Go to Curious Elixirs and use code “SHAWNBROWN10” for $10 off any order $50+
🧠🗺️ Have a plan: If you decide to drink again make a plan for what that will look like. I recommend alternating a NA drink with an alcoholic drink. Start with the NA option so that way your 3 drinks in a night actually only includes 1 with booze.
📱📊 Lean on tech: Your wellness apps and wearables can offer powerful insights regarding sleep, energy and weight. For example, if you notice your sleep score starts to go down, then skip the evening glass of wine for a few days. Data can help to guide your decisions without judgement.
✍️📓 Write it out: If numbers aren't your thing then journal about how you feel if / when you start to drink again. Maybe you notice wine or beer doesn't taste as good as it used to. Maybe you realize those shallow conversations at the bar over drinks aren't something that you want to return to. Awareness can inform your actions.
💛🌱 Reach out for help: Share your challenges with a trusted friend. Hit up your Sober Curious BFF (ahemmmm, dat me!) Yes, my Sober Curious Circle is group coaching but I also offer 1:1 sessions where we deep dive into your relationship with alcohol to get more personalized suggestions and holistic practices.
Just because the calendar (this is a arbitrary measurement of time BTW) rolls over to a new month, it doesn't mean your Sober Curious journey has ended. In fact it's just getting started and you can keep it going for as long as you like.
As always, I encourage clients to "start with the why" when making decisions and changes to their health.
There's the really important second part: return to the "why." At every fork in the road, at every decision point, there's a moment to pause and reflect on your intention and notice if your actions are in alignment.
Not drinking to have better sleep? Help with digestion? Calm anxiety? Be a more loving partner / parent human? Good, those are all fantastic "whys"...those are your intentions. So return to the intention, pause and ask yourself, "What do I need right now to live a life that feels aligned with my goals and values?"
If you want support, I’d love to walk alongside you. Send me a message and we’ll get a consultation scheduled. I’m so proud of you for choosing curiosity and prioritizing your health.
You’ve got this!