I first embarked on Dry January® about five years ago; my partner and I decided to do it as we had both overdone Christmas and New Year celebrations (and everything in between!) and just generally felt sick and tired and needed a goal to just have a bit of a break.
December 2022 |
8 minutes
Sam took on a 31-day dry challenge when she needed a break from drinking after overdoing it over the festive period but never expected some of the great benefits it brought to her.
“...we didn’t really know what to do with our spare time without the booze to fall back on”
The idea was great to start with, but after the first week things were a little more tricky, as we didn’t really know what to do with our spare time without the booze to fall back on. In the end, we filled the time watching films and series together - something that we didn’t really do before. We actually went out to the pictures one evening which we never do as weekends were mostly spent getting drunk.
“…I loved the satisfaction of the calendar ticking off each day I stayed dry.”
I did make use of the Try Dry® app, adding my teacups every day and loved the satisfaction of the calendar ticking off each day I stayed dry. The end of the month soon came around and – actually, looking back it - wasn’t that bad.
Although we both went back to drinking regularly, it was nowhere near as much as before and I appreciated the sober days so much more. Fast forward to now, and I’ve completed every Dry January® since and in 2021 made the decision that I didn’t want to go back to drinking after January as I became more aware of how different I feel without alcohol. I’ve begun to question why I was actually drinking, and I decided the best way forward for me was to quit completely.
“I really got to know myself and enjoyed the free feeling of not being tied to drinking throughout every weekend.”
I really got to know myself and enjoyed the free feeling of not being tied to drinking throughout every weekend. I enjoyed holidays, birthdays, theatre trips, music concerts and Christmas exactly the same - perhaps even better - as I didn’t wake up with the blackouts, horrendous hangover and the anxiety that used to badger me for days after a drinking session.
“I just take it in my stride an enjoy an overall sense of wellbeing that just wasn’t there before.”
Without the reset of the dry challenge, I would never have even questioned what negative impact alcohol was having on me, creeping into everyday activities and zapping my energy. Now I have learned to appreciate the little things in life, whereas before I felt there wasn’t much to life without alcohol. Whether it’s a walk in the morning sunshine (or morning rain!) or the taste of a nice coffee or mocktail – I just take it in my stride and enjoy an overall sense of wellbeing that just wasn’t there before.
There really is nothing to lose and everything to gain by just giving it a go! It definitely changed me for the better.
