After a few false starts earlier in 2024, I finally took the plunge and gave up alcohol for the whole of January.
With lent just around the corner, I’m sure many of you are considering doing something similar, so I wanted to share my tips for success.
The good news is, most of these tips can also be applied to other areas of abstinence, be it chocolate, caffeine, fried food or anything else that is no longer adding value to your life.
Lent starts on the 14th February and lasts until Easter. For Christians it holds special meaning, but many non-religious people also engage in some form of self-sacrifice during this time. These popular forms include dieting, giving up alcohol, quitting smoking or dropping some other bad habit.
Consider the pros and cons
Before going booze free, I spent most of December considering what real value alcohol was brining to my life. I did a frank cost benefit analysis.
For those who can maintain moderate drinking habits, there may be some benefits; such as acting as an aid to social interaction and creating opportunities to socialise.
But for many others, including me, the negatives simply outweigh the positives. The negatives are well documented, and include; higher risk of all forms mortality, loss of productivity, the physical pain of hangovers, brain fog, organ failings, and the list goes on and on.
It is worth spending some time in the days before lent thinking about what role alcohol plays in your life and what value, or disvalue, it adds.
Create an environment where you will succeed
Your environment shapes your choices. By minimizing exposure to alcohol, you disrupt the automatic associations that can trigger cravings. It’s like rewiring your brain for success! Removing the visual cues and readily available options takes away the decision-making element, allowing you to focus on mindful choices and healthier alternatives. Remember, creating a supportive environment isn’t just about avoiding temptation, it’s about empowering yourself to make conscious decisions aligned with your goals.
Recruit a friend of partner to do it with you
They say misery loves company, but in this case, success thrives with a partner. Enlist the support of a friend, family member, or significant other to join you on your journey. Not only does this provide an extra layer of accountability, but it also creates an opportunity for shared experiences and strengthened relationships.
Try alcohol free alternatives
With the rise of the sober curious movement, the market for alcohol-free alternatives has never been more robust. From sophisticated mocktails to artisanal non-alcoholic spirits, there’s a world of delicious options waiting to be explored. Embrace this newfound freedom to indulge in exciting new flavours and experiences without the morning-after regrets.
For me, the best alternatives are always alcohol free beers. And, the best alcohol free beers are Guinness 00 and Edinger. Both are nearly indistinguishable from their alcoholic alternatives. I even found myself enjoying some of them more, because you could knock back a few without getting brain fog.
Prepare for nagging friends
Navigating social situations without alcohol can be challenging, especially when faced with peer pressure or teasing from others. Prepare yourself with a repertoire of polite yet firm responses to deflect unwanted attention. Whether it’s a simple “I’m driving” or “I’m just cutting back,” having a go-to phrase can help you stay on track while maintaining your social grace.
Here, for me, having a young child helped considerably. Gone are the days of after work drinks or meeting a friend for a swift half (or four) on a Friday night.
Having a thick skin here also helps. Give some consideration to whether it is realistic to go to social settings with friends if they’re drinking and you’re not. If you do feel able to and manage to pull off this feat, then you’ll be rewarded with the endless loud chat of the recently sozzled.
Seek out people who don’t drink
One way to avoid nagging friends is to make new ones! Seek out people who don’t drink or don’t drink too much. One way we navigated this was to have lots of day time activities such as walks, museum trips and activity dates.
If you’ve got kids, here too other families can be a life saver. No one wants to be hungover looking after kids so parents shy away from heavy drinking on the whole.
Another way to navigate this is to host get togethers like board game nights or dinner parties. This way you can do things on your terms and avoid serving alcohol. Just make sure your friends are pre-warned!
Weekly check-ins to monitor progress
Schedule weekly chats with yourself or a supportive friend. Reflect on your wins, like increased energy or better sleep. Acknowledge challenges and brainstorm solutions. Did a social event feel tricky? Plan alternate activities next time. Celebrate progress, big or small, and remember, every week is a step towards your goal.
Make use of your new time – mornings and evenings!
Wake up earlier for exercise, meditation, or tackling that creative project. Evenings without hangovers offer a world of possibilities. Learn a new skill, delve into a good book, or reconnect with loved ones. This newfound time is your gift, use it to invest in yourself and your passions.
Honestly, we used our time to watch Traitors and Married at First Sight. But, being January there wasn’t much appetite for extended periods of outdoor activity.
Watch the pounds add-up and drop off
Those nightly pints and fancy cocktails add up faster than you think, both financially and physically. Remember, hangovers aren’t just productivity killers, they’re calorie bombs too. Weigh the negatives against the benefits (social lubrication? debatable) and see if the scales tip towards sobriety.
Use the money you save towards learning new skills, travelling or spending quality time with the family.
Don’t stop if you fall off the wagon, just pick it back up again the next day
Life happens, and setbacks are normal. A slip-up doesn’t erase your progress. Forgive yourself, acknowledge the trigger, and recommit to your goal. Remember, every day is a new chance to choose your path. Don’t let a misstep define your journey – get back on track and keep moving forward!
Remember, choosing an alcohol-free path isn’t about deprivation, it’s about liberation. It’s about discovering the vibrant world that awaits when you’re clear-headed and present. By surrounding yourself with supportive people, exploring new activities, and celebrating your progress, you’ll not only achieve your goals but unlock a more fulfilling and empowered life.
Ready to embark on your own alcohol-free adventure? Share your tips and challenges in the comments below. Alternatively, if you’d like more content like this, check out my New Year’s resolutions post.