My Experience with Dry January 2023
Well I did it, I officially conquered Dry January! It was a wellness challenge that was definitely needed after a tumultuous end to 2022. And, one that I have plans to carry on through each quarter of 2023. More on that a bit later…
Let’s set things straight, I’ve participated in this wellness challenge before, in January of 2020. And, I felt so good that I carried it on for almost the entire first half of the year. I honestly don’t remember what derailed my abstention from wine + spirits but, something tells me it had something to do with kicking off summer on Long Island. Or, maybe quarantine finally got the best of me?
Anyways, I decided to give it another go in December 2022. After a lot of big life events all hit me, seemingly at once, starting in July of that very same year. For one, I had a surgery scheduled during the last week of July. Then we were scheduled to move out of state to East Tennessee in the first week of August. And, did I mention the home we were about to call our own is a major fixer upper?!
So, things felt tumultuous at best, and for the better part of the end of 2022 I let my bad habits get the best of me. As a result, dry January for me, as I’m sure it is for most who partake, was a chance to reset and reprioritize my life. And, after a full 32 days, I feel great! But, I’m also ready to reintroduce my favorite adult beverages back into my life.
Question for You: If you took part in dry January what’s going to be your first drink? I have a double ipa from WiseAcre Brewing Co. waiting for me in my fridge.
Feature Image by Kristina Paukshtite
Tips for a Successful Dry January
- Start your wellness challenge on December 31. What’s worse than beginning a challenge with a New Year’s hangover? Nothing really comes to the top of my head so, I think it’s a front runner for sure.
- Replace Your Rituals. If you’re someone who looks forward to that nightly glass of wine as a way to de- stress then try replacing that beverage with a cup of calming tea, or perhaps a cannabis/cbd cocktail? Whatever floats your boat! I stuck with tea, and went through so many bottles of agave this January.
- Track Your Progress. I have a pocket sized calendar book that I used as a habit tracker. I felt so good crossing off the days I stuck to it. Even better when a few days passed, and I got to cross out 3 or 4 days at a time.
- Track Your Wellness. Have your cravings picked up? Or, maybe you’ve been getting a better night’s sleep? Keep track of all of these benefits so, to have on hand for when you need a little extra motivation to tackle your next “dry” month.
A Dry Month Each Quarter - A 2023 Experiment
While I am not ready to say sayonara to my favorite cocktails, or double ipas, I do see the benefit in partaking in a dry month every so often. So, in 2023 I plan to take part in one dry month each quarter. Right now, that means April, July, and October going forward.
In these dry months I’ll be able to take a closer look at my relationship with alcohol, and decide what needs to change, if anything. Maybe even properly assess why I chose to drink in the first place. Was it in good times or bad? And, perhaps I’ll find alternatives for each situation.
This experiment is in the beginning stages but I do plan to share my progress as the year unfolds. Stay tuned! And, cheers to you if you made it through dry January too!
