The start of a new year is the perfect time to embrace positive change, and Dry January offers a refreshing reset for your mind, body, and spirit. Whether you’re looking to evaluate your relationship with alcohol, improve your health, or simply take on a fun challenge, this guide will equip you with everything you need to make Dry January a success.
What is dry January?
Dry January is a month-long challenge where individuals voluntarily abstain from alcohol for the entirety of January. It originated as a public health campaign by Alcohol Change UK in 2013 and has since grown into a global movement.
The goal of Dry January is to help participants reflect on their drinking habits, improve physical and mental health, and promote healthier relationships with alcohol.
Many participants report benefits such as improved sleep, increased energy, better skin, and financial savings. It’s a chance to reset, develop new habits, and gain insight into how alcohol affects various aspects of life.
From Mocktails to Mindset: Your Ultimate Dry January Playbook
1. Set Your Goals and Intentions
Why are you doing Dry January? Defining your “why” will keep you motivated throughout the month. Whether it’s to improve your sleep, save money, or just see if you can, having a clear goal can provide focus and determination. Write it down and keep it visible.
2. Stock Up on Non-Alcoholic Alternatives
Gone are the days when your only options were soda or water. Now, you can choose from:
Non-alcoholic beers: Brands like Athletic Brewing and Heineken 0.0 offer tasty options.
Mocktail mixers: Stock up on juices, sparkling waters, and syrups to craft creative drinks.
Alcohol-free spirits: Try Seedlip, Ritual Zero Proof, or Lyre’s for sophisticated alternatives.
These drinks help you stay social without compromising your commitment. You can shop all of our favorite non-alcoholic beers, wines, spirits, mixers, mocktails and more! Check out our online store!
3. Plan Social Activities That Don’t Revolve Around Alcohol
Socializing can be a challenge during Dry January, but it’s also an opportunity to explore new activities. Consider:
Hosting a game night with mocktails.
Attending fitness classes or group hikes.
Exploring museums, art galleries, or cultural events.
Trying out a new hobby like painting, cooking, or dancing.
4. Prepare for Peer Pressure
Not everyone will understand your choice, and that’s okay. Have a few responses ready for when someone asks, “Why aren’t you drinking?” Examples include:
“I’m doing Dry January.”
“I’m focusing on my health this month.”
“Just trying something new!”
Confidently owning your decision can help defuse uncomfortable situations.
5. Track Your Progress
Staying accountable is easier when you can see how far you’ve come. Use tools like:
Apps: Try “Try Dry” or “I Am Sober” to log your alcohol-free days.
Journaling: Reflect on how you feel physically, emotionally, and financially each week.
Visual trackers: Use a calendar or habit-tracking app to mark each successful day.
6. Practice Self-Care
Taking a break from alcohol may bring unexpected emotions or challenges. Support yourself by:
Prioritizing sleep: Use your alcohol-free nights to build better bedtime habits.
Exercising regularly: Even light activity can boost your mood and energy.
Treating yourself: Reward yourself with something meaningful, like a spa day, a new book, or a fun outing.
7. Celebrate Your Wins
Every alcohol-free day is a victory! At the end of the month, reflect on your achievements and how you feel. Many people report better sleep, more energy, improved skin, and even weight loss. Use this momentum to decide what’s next for you.
Dry January is more than just a month without alcohol; it’s a chance to reset and learn about yourself. By preparing with the right tools, mindset, and support, you’ll not only succeed but also enjoy the process. Who knows? You might even decide to carry some of these habits into the rest of the year. Cheers (with a mocktail) to a successful Dry January!
About Me:
Hi, I’m Blogging Brandi! I love to blog about RVing, Travel, Money, ReSelling, Entrepreneurship, Business, Blogging, my Dogs and Cat, Religion, Nomadism, plus Life Overall! ICYMI, I’m a blogger, business owner, and Beyond! 👩💻
Affiliate Disclaimer: Note this website may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned and support the website at no cost to you. While we may earn minimal sums when the visitor uses the links, they are not obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support!
I Wasn’t Sure if I Was an Alcoholic. But I Needed to Quit … There are Reasons Why I Stopped Drinking and How giving up alcohol became my superpower! Why Are So Many People Going Alcohol-Free? Is life better without alcohol? What are the Benefits of Quitting Alcohol When You Stop Drinking? What happens to my body when I stop drinking alcohol? What happens psychologically when you stop drinking? Maybe you’re wondering Does anyone regret quitting alcohol?
Whether you’re an alcoholic or non-alcoholic if this sounds like questions you might be asking yourself or Google then I’m here to tell you WHY I stopped drinking alcohol and The Easy Way to Stop Drinking! I’m sharing my own personal journey as a Quitting Alcohol Guide for you to hopefully be inspired to finally learn How to Stop Drinking too!
My boyfriend told me most people don’t just go out there and scream from the rooftops hey I quit drinking and I’ve been sober for over a year now! But, hey why not be the first to share my story and inspire you or at least answer that burning question you might be wondering too: Why do you not drink alcohol? Better yet why did you quit drinking? What happened? What do you drink and do now instead?
Table of Contents
Be sure to Bookmark and Save This Post as I plan to update it some more (this is only part of my list)!
Why I don’t drink Alcohol (anymore)…
Besides all of the above that I just mentioned, I stopped drinking alcohol over a year ago and it has been LIFE CHANGING! (in both good and bad ways…)
I never understand the need to answer this:“Why don’t you drink alcohol?” question — I mean… Why don’t you drink grape soda? Or Diet Coke, root beer, or better yet Why don’t you ever drink water instead? An even better question might be “Why do you feel the need to drink alcohol?”
Is it because you’re single and it might help you meet somebody?
Is it because you enjoy the taste?
Need something to take the edge off, relax, etc…?
Because everyone else is doing it?
What’s your excuse FOR drinking?
For some reason, I felt the need to explain this… in hopes that YOU might stop drinking alcohol too!
It’s been a wild ride to say it lightly.
Excuses People Make For Drinking:
I’ve been keeping a list of excuses people tell me every time this conversation comes up about drinking and the list of excuses is endless for why people insist on drinking…
If I wasn’t single and I was married instead then maybe I’d quit drinking.
It was FREE or Cheap!
It was just celebratory…
I only drink at social gatherings…
But hey some of these are probably things I used to say and excuses I used to make for drinking too!
Benefits & Reasons I Decided To Stop Drinking Alcohol
Here are a few of the reasons I’ve decided to not drink alcohol and some of the lessons I’ve learned after removing it from my life too!
📌 Sleeping more often or later than usual
One reason I stopped drinking or am glad I did is because it was causing me to sleep later and more often than I usually did when I wasn’t drinking.
If you know me my body naturally wakes up at 5am and if I get up any later my entire morning routine, day etc… feels lost, ruined aka not in a good mood.
If I drank during the day I wanted to nap
If I drank at night I’d either pass out early or stay up too late
Needless to say, I didn’t have a regular sleep schedule even if I wanted to…
Being my own boss, running my own business means I make my own schedule and no one’s gonna fire me if I don’t show up on time…. So there is a little good and bad that comes with being an entrepreneur keep that in mind. You have to set boundaries in your life and business with people, places, events, products, and purchases everything!
If I’m drinking during business meetings or drank the night before it leads to BAD business decisions, maybe ones I regret! Even worse attending business meetings with a foggy mindset!
I remember on time feeling so crappy all I cared about was getting off that phone call, I literally talked myself out of the sale so I could go sober up!
I used to live my entire life constantly walking on eggshells to deal with other people’s drinking. Now, I feel like it will be permanently engraved in my body to react on eggshells when people around me are drinking! I cannot tell you how many days and nights I had to walk on eggshells around other people who were drinking in my life!
It was so crazy how much someone else’s drinking can control you, your life, your business, your mind, and more! It’s like I never knew who to expect, so I was always on eggshells, shaking, worried, and full of anxiety. But that wasn’t just me, it impacted my dogs, family, friends, and clients, — there was a ripple effect!
📌 Feeling Confused & Questioning Myself
I was always confused was it me or them. Did that happen or what really happened? I could never figure it all out especially when I was drinking with other people myself! How are you supposed to act sober or operate sober if you’re not? So another reason I stopped drinking was because of how much I was questioning myself and feeling confused.
📌 What If Something Happened?
What if something happened to a loved one like my mom or dad and I needed to run for help? If I was drinking, drunk, or hungover how would I be of assistance to anyone until I sobered up? even if I could uber, Lyft, or catch a ride safely over to them… how could I be of a sober mind!
P.S. Something actually did happen not that long ago! I remember sitting at the RV Park when we got a call from my Dad telling me he was paralyzed and let’s just say I’m so glad I was sober at that time in my life! I talked about this on my RVersity Blog & YouTube Channel titled: “Behind The Scenes Of My RV Life Updates + BIG NEWS!“
I cannot tell you how many BAD situations I ended up involved in or might even have put myself in. One time I remember praying to God while sitting passenger seat of my own car going almost 100 miles an hour with someone drunk at the wheel.
Everyone always says why would you get in the car? I’m just going to say that sometimes there are some situations without adding too many details that you just have to get in the car or let’s just say maybe you can’t get out. Maybe you didn’t know? Maybe it was unexpected?
Plus I can’t tell you how many bad trashy bars, bathrooms, brawls, etc… I’ve been in! There are a lot of things I could say here and now, but that is for another moment….
📌 Lost out on really good food!
FYI I only eat good food (joking not joking I’m a FOODIE! 🙃 ) and I can’t tell you how many restaurants I’ve left because their drinks sucked so I assumed their food did too and I would leave. Or I would be pissed the whole time sitting there thinking of if I could only have a drink with this.
I even avoided restaurants that didn’t serve alcohol because I wanted to sit eat and drink! It’s like I planned every food outing around alcohol! Even happy hours could get me in the door! But, I will say I eventually evolved to only high-class alcohol 😉
📌 Time WASTED
I used to spend hours eating out, not that I don’t sit and eat longer than everyone else still but we’d buy a bottle of wine or a pitch of margaritas so it would take a while to drink between two people!
I remember once my Mom said something about how we had been somewhere for a few hours already. I just thought that was normal.
Sometimes we might even get a second pitcher or bottle of wine if we were somewhere long enough.
📌 It Cost More To Drink (& Eat)
Money adds up while drinking! A $20 meal could be $200 if I only ate a burger at the bar but added a $100+ bottle of good wine to go with it and let’s not forget to tip!
But even just drinking alone out or at home can add up quickly! Especially if you don’t know how to stop. Most people I know who drink beer don’t just drink one can and stop. And those I know that drink wine usually have more than a 5oz pour, and if they do they always want more! We always used to order a bottle of wine or a pitcher of margaritas!
Another thing to mention here is that it also costs more to EAT in terms of CALORIES and weight not just money. But maybe even time at the gym, time and or money that you could be spending doing something more meaningful.
📌 My Body Was Being Abused
At some point, your body says NO not anymore! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thrown up or had a horrible headache, overslept, spent a day eating crappy food, and recovering all because of alcohol. In fact right before I stopped drinking I loved margaritas and my body just shut down every time I drank them, it was like my body viscously projecting it back out both ends if you can imagine.
Plus, my body was being abused by other people. I felt like I was forced to suck things and f* things even when I felt just not like that was wanted to be doing — at least not right then in some of those moments. But, it’s like I would give in to please other people. Yet in my mind, I felt like I was committing a sin! Also just imagine being semi sober while someone slobers all over you!
And if you didn’t know at the age of 16 I was sexually assaulted by a family friend while his wife and baby were sleeping in the other room. Someone who was drinking and had also given me alcohol when I wasn’t of age back then. Looking back now things start to make sense. His actions have impacted my life ever since.
📌 It is Sinful & Spiritual In Nature!
Speaking of sin some may argue it is not a sin to drink but to be drunk. I might have to say that drinking in any form is a “Spirit” inside of you impairing your judgment.
My girl Miranda over at Raydiant Lady once told me that if you notice a lot of the liquor stores where you buy alcohol will say “Spirits” in the name: Liquor & Spirits, Wine & Spirits, Alcohol & Spirits Store, etc…
Plus, in general terms, drinking is just against all of what God who is good is all about! The Bible tells us not to look at the wine that sparkles in the glass (don’t quote me on where to find those relatable verses — but you get my drift) — I also like to ASK GotQuestions.Org? all types of things Biblical like that!
📌 It Cost Me My Child
Alcohol was the catalyst for why I lost my child, and why I allowed that decision to ever happen. I cared more about pleasing others than I did myself. I was too busy living my life listening to everyone else.
When I got pregnant it should’ve been the moment I stopped and decided to grow up. But, instead, I decided to make everyone else happy and terminate my pregnancy (yes I had an abortion 😭 ) and it changed my life too just not in the same way. It’s like I murdered my child and then went on about my day and lifestyle too.
Although if you haven’t ever heard my story then you might not know it was not a decision that I took lightly (even though it may sound so in this blog post)
[MY STORY] How I Decided to Become A Solo Female Digital Nomad (NOT always RV Living) Entrepreneur!
📌 To Support Other Non-Alcoholics
I also stopped drinking to help support other people in my life and what started as helping one person turned into more and more overnight. I’m so happy to hear how others end up listening to my story, getting inspired by me, and knowing there is someone out there who does not care about drinking too!
Some might wonder what I was Drinking (since I don’t drink Alcohol) we had some NA (Non-Alcoholic) sparkling white wine by ISH to start the dinner event and then sipped on a proxy with the main dishes similar to a bottle of red wine (ish) lol but I didn’t get a pic of it all though you can see the Red ember bottle we had (a little snippet of it)
NO absolutely Not! It was a life-changing event for me, and our family, plus it has had a ripple effect on so many others it’s hard to begin to tell you the impact! It’s definitely a lifestyle change that takes time to adjust to. It’s not a NEW life or that things will be “Normal” but a “New Normal”
In case I ever need a reminder I watch OPL (On Patrol Live) on Fridays and Saturdays to see how horrible people act when they are drinking! It’s embarrassing, it’s sad, it’s disgusting, it’s a gentle reminder every weekend to say hey THIS IS WHY YOU NEED TO STOP DRINKING (& WHY I DID)!
The reality is that most people fail to admit drinking alcohol is a horrible habit…
It leads to problems, poor decisions, regrets, foggy memories, destroys relationships, money disappears with no ROI, and is not part of a healthy productive lifestyle more or less it’s for people with a lazy mindset.
But I cannot tell you how many times the conversation comes up about drinking alcohol and I get asked: Why do you not drink alcohol? So I made this blog post to address this so the next time someone asks me (maybe you) then you’ll know why I wrote it!
Or maybe you’ve wondered yourself How to Stop Drinking and what are the Benefits of Quitting Alcohol?
About Me:
Hi, I’m Blogging Brandi! I love to blog about RVing, Travel, Money, ReSelling, Entrepreneurship, Business, Blogging, my Dogs and Cat, Religion, Nomadism, plus Life Overall! ICYMI, I’m a blogger, business owner, and Beyond! 👩💻
Affiliate Disclaimer: Note this website may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned and support the website at no cost to you. While we may earn minimal sums when the visitor uses the links, they are not obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support!
