Are you doing Dry January?

Or maybe you are looking at a lifestyle change, removing alcohol altogether? 

You don't have to have a 'problem' in society's eyes to want to stop drinking. If alcohol affects your life negatively before, during or after one drink, it doesn't serve you. You have a choice. Nothing changes if nothing changes.

I made this choice over four years ago now, and I will never look back. Alcohol was a crutch for me, whether I needed to wind up for a night out or wind down at home. People weren't telling me to stop drinking; most actively encouraged me to drink, but I knew deep down that there must be more to life, and I was right! 

Charity Challenge

Are you good at helping others but could be better at helping yourself? 

This was my truth, and the reason why I chose to start my sober journey with a charity challenge, one year no alcohol. I needed something to commit to, hold myself accountable, and get the booze bullies off my back for long enough to change the habit of a lifetime and shift my mindset around choosing a sober life. By the end of the year, I was so passionate about my sober journey that I trained to become a certified coach to help others like me who wanted to stop drinking.

I want to take on a challenge!

A friend of mine, and CEO of the charity Caring Cooks, is doing a sober charity challenge to raise money for the charity. Six months alcohol-free, and she's looking for people to join her. If like me, you need a reason to give yourself the kickstart, this is the perfect excuse. You can join the challenge at any point to support Yvonne. Yvonne will be starting on 1st January for six months, but you can begin at any time.

This challenge is free, but the objective is to raise money for charity, whether you fundraise or commit to donating what you currently spend on alcohol. If you'd like to look at your relationship with alcohol and get additional accountability, there is the option to do this alongside my 12-week programme.

The Sober Truth

Are you someone who wants to use Dry January to cut down, or who knows that moderation is not an option for you and wants to stop completely? The first step is understanding why you are doing this and writing down your WHY. Please don't hold back; write it all down because, in the future, you might romanticise your relationship with alcohol, and this can be used as a reminder as to why you chose to stop drinking in the first place. I have a free visualisation on my website that can help you look at your relationship with alcohol - why not try it out?

Look at what you are gaining, not what you are giving up. If you feel like you are depriving yourself, it won't be an enjoyable experience; after all, what you focus on grows. Look at the benefits - are you sleeping better? Making healthier choices? Do your eyes and skin look brighter? Are you more productive? Be open to discovering new things about yourself.

Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone

If you are used to relying on alcohol to shift your state in any way, it will feel overwhelming at first. 

The best thing about being sober is that you feel everything. The worst thing about being sober is that you feel everything! 

When we have been stuck on autopilot for a long time, it can feel uncomfortable to stop and create awareness around how we think and feel so that we can move forward. It can take time to get comfortable and to be the hardcoded conditioning. Give yourself time and reach out for support if you need it. You don't need a drink to let go, be silly, and relax. When you were a child, you didn't need alcohol - connect with your inner child and let go of the fear of being judged.

I will forever push myself outside my comfort zone now, knowing how good it feels on the other side. I am doing an aerial challenge this year to get fit and will be performing on the stage at the Arts Centre to an audience at the end of March. I’m terrified and excited.

Remember, everyone is different

If you are reading this and not doing Dry January, I invite you to be mindful of how others may feel at this time of year. If someone shares with you that they are doing a challenge, try not to dismiss them; try and support them. Just because someone is highly functioning and outwardly doesn't seem to have a problem doesn't mean that alcohol isn't causing them issues inwardly, possibly manifesting as anxiety or other health problems. We are all wired differently, and that's ok, stop comparing yourself to others.

Sober is aspirational

Let's remove any stigma or shame around the word sobriety. If you stop drinking alcohol, that's a great thing. I don't judge anyone for drinking, but I celebrate people who don't need alcohol to cope with life or to have fun. 

The list of celebrities choosing sobriety is growing by the day, including Bradley Cooper, Blake Lively, Zac Efron, X ...sexy, successful and sober! 

Sober Sips

Stock up on alcohol-free drinks that feel like a treat. There are many choices, from health drinks to alcohol alternatives, minus the hangover.

Before you go out, check out the restaurant or bars' alcohol-free range. Most have them online. You can call ahead of your booking and ask if you need clarification. If they don't have something, ask if you can bring something and pay for the corkage! If you don't ask, you won't get it.

Happier Hour

I have teamed up with Andy from Club AF to offer a Happier Hour session to groups and corporates. We share our stories, raise awareness and shake a cocktail or two. If you know an office that might benefit from this kind of talk, let them know; it would be great to share this message with as many people as possible. This talk can be done in person or remotely.