Dry January is not a new concept for me, I actually look forward to taking a break from the indulgences that the holiday season can bring and view this month as a nice time to recharge. What is new to me this year is my perspective of what this month could actually turn into. In the past, I felt like I was simply going through the motions of not drinking instead of making the time to appreciate what exactly I was doing for myself. 

I want to start by saying that I think it’s great to see dry January (or dry any month) gaining popularity and traction. Our society incorporates drinking in almost every situation nowadays; TV shows and movies, social and outing events, even baby showers have incorporated alcohol. What is even more, is that if you do not participate in the drinking, people often ask if you are pregnant, sick, or (assume you) have a drinking problem. We have been conditioned to believe that these only times one would not want/like to have a drink.

Dry January has given people the space to explore what an alcohol-free version of themselves could be without feeling like they have to explain themselves. This is not to say that we should have a fear of not drinking or of telling our friends and family, but I feel that the “normalcy” of drinking in our society has made it difficult sometimes to explore stepping outside of that box.

In the past, I gave dry January a try because it had become something of a buzz topic. I could relate to some of the reasons why people were doing this; after the holidays, I always felt bloated and drained from all of the festive activities. Those months went well, sometimes it was a bit more of a struggle than I had thought it would be, but overall the experience was ok; neutral. Yes of course I could see a change in my sleep (and the feeling of being truly rested in the morning) and I felt an authentic sense of energy come back, but all of this was not enough for me to fall in love with a dry month. I saw this time as just that, time; 31 days. I did not allow myself to explore what these 31 days could actually become.

The last two years have been challenging, we all know this. I have been forced to reinvent my schedule and structure so many times that I lost count. I found myself truly struggling between maintaining a basic level of balance to thriving with healthy meals and lots of yoga. I was forced to reevaluate how I took care of my body and my mind. I experienced a new level of fatigue that left me worried that I was failing myself. My definition of coping and self-love has been challenged and revised. 

Welcome 2022: I decided I wanted to take this month to refocus myself and how I was treating my body. As I get older, I want to make sure that I am taking care of my body the best way I can. I also wanted to challenge myself, see what this adventure could become. As a way to track this, I make a conscious effort to note the small changes I experience daily to help reinforce my decision to do this. I am learning to enjoy this journey and be open to where it will lead me. I want to share with you a few things I have learned and a few ways I have supported myself through this month.

What I have noticed on my Dry January Journey so far:

(1) My anxiety has reduced significantly! I do not wake up in the middle of the night going over my to-do list for the following day. I do not wake up before my alarm clock, worried I will not have enough time to get things done. I have always been aware of the relationship between alcohol and anxiety but never felt that I was experiencing it. Now, I go to sleep with ease, sleep through the night and wake up feeling rested. This, of course, has an amazing impact on my day and my energy!

(2) I am challenging myself with new goals! Even with just having a few drinks during the weekend, I felt like I was playing catch up with days. I sometimes felt that I didn’t have enough energy to do more than I was already doing. I feel I am in a place right now that fuels my ambition and encourages my creativity.

(3) I feel more present! I am becoming more aware of how I interact within my world and where my energy goes. I still have a long way to go with being more present and understanding my place in this world, but for now I feel I am where I need to be. 

Things I discovered that help keep my focus:

(1) Identifying my routine. If I would have a glass of wine in the evening, it was usually before dinner, either as I was cooking dinner or when I finished work. I found that planning an activity at this time allow myself to switch up my behavior/routine and focus on something different. This could involve yoga, going for a walk, or scheduling a call with a friend.

(2) Being proud of my journey! Telling my friends and family helped because it gave a space for a discussion. I heard that over 50% of Americans want to either stop drinking completely or reduce their alcohol consumption. If this is true, then wouldn’t it be helpful to have these kinds of discussions more frequently? It is important to know that you are not alone with these thoughts and strength comes in numbers! It’s always a beautiful thing when we can support each other.

(3) Understanding that this is my journey and I can make my own rules! I think one of the reasons why dry January can be successful for so many is that there is an end date. It can be easier to manage when we know when it will be over. If I decide to continue my dry January beyond the last day of the month, that is my decision. If I decide to incorporate drinking back into my social events, that is also my decision. We are given the opportunity to make our goals and time frame on this journey- do not underestimate the degree of empowerment this brings!

As we come to the end of January, I am beginning to think how I will create a new integration of these experiences. This time has given me new perspective into how I can support myself more compassionately. The intention of this blog is not to sway you to one lifestyle or another, it is just to start the conversation of supporting ourselves, trying new things, and growing. Listen to what you need in this moment and follow that. Take breaks from drinking, learn how to create healthy boundaries, and find your own integration from these different elements. I plan to take the following months just as they come, while also having a new found confidence in myself- either with a glass of wine or a cup of tea. 

My vulnerabilities to express my struggles are outweighed by my appreciation for my experiences. My hope is that by sharing my story, it opens some space for others to not feel alone when thinking about changing some of their habits. Of course, sometimes we need more support of others as we go down a path of change. If you or someone you know if struggling with alcohol, please know that there is support out there and you are not alone! Check out what is available in your local area and find an environment that can be safe for you.

Uf dry January is something that you have done in the past and/or are going through right now, feel free to share your experiences and any tips and tricks that have helped you! Let’s keep this conversation going and support each other when we can!  If you feel like working with a therapist can help bring additional support to you, lets connect https://amandamaurocounseling.com/services/