When Dry January Turns Into Dry 2021: A Non-Addict’s Discoveries After a Year of No Alcohol

January 05, 2022

I spent the past 12 months experiencing life without alcohol. While addiction isn’t a part of my story, I never truly realized what big role alcohol played in my life and the lives around me until I decided to give it up. The original plan was to do Dry January as solidarity to my friends in recovery and a challenge to myself. Every once in a while, I like to do challenges…I always discover new things about myself. Most of them are mental challenges, and interestingly enough, I learned that I’m much better at not doing something I want to do vs. doing something I don’t want to do. Maybe that has something to do with my rebellious nature. I even rebel against myself!

The last drink I had was New Year’s Eve 2020. My best friends and I had a virtual “party,” and we toasted to the new year. I had one drink, went to bed, and woke up excited to enjoy my January alcohol-free. January came and went, and I still had no interest in having a drink. I didn’t question it; I didn’t overthink it; I figured I’d have a drink eventually. At the same time, I wanted to see how long I could go without drinking, so I gave myself until the summer.

Summer to me meant more socializing, brunches, summer events…I’ll probably want to have a couple of drinks then. But I didn’t. I think it was around that time that I figured I might as well go the whole year without drinking. So here we are, a year later, still having no intention of drinking. I feel great about this decision. I’m hoping to keep learning things along the way, but here are the things I’ve learned so far while alcohol-free:

Finding other ways to unwind

I often would have a glass of wine or my favorite scotch as a “reward” after a long, stressful day. As if drinking was a form of self-care. Ridiculous! Nowadays, I unwind with my favorite cup of herbal tea (can’t mess with caffeine after 2 pm; otherwise, I’ll be up all night), hot chocolate, seltzer, lemonade, etc. Relaxation or unwinding and alcohol no longer go hand in hand. 

How much alcohol consumption is promoted everywhere

This was so eye-opening. I never noticed how many alcohol ads and commercials were out there and how difficult it must be for someone in recovery to be constantly exposed to them. I also started noticing more how drinking alcohol is used (jokingly and not so jokingly) in coping with the challenges of parenthood.

“Kids stressing you out? Have a drink!” “I won’t cry over spilled milk, but I will cry over spilled wine!”….ooof!

My body feels SO MUCH better!

And I mean my whole body, including my mind. As a Wellness Coach, I know all this. I know very well what alcohol does to our bodies. And when I was in my late 30s, I started to notice that even a tiny amount of alcohol would make me feel pretty crappy the next day. My body would be more sluggish, quality of sleep trash, and my mind foggy, and just feeling “off.” There was no reward in having even one drink. 

I can have a great time in social settings without alcohol

I can fully engage in conversations, have lots of laughs, be present, be myself, and save a lot of money not drinking alcohol. I genuinely don’t feel like I’m missing out on a good time just because I’m not drinking. There better be food, though!

I’m so happy to have made this decision to stop drinking. This is one of the ways I’m honoring my body and my health. It feels good, and it feels right. I’m genuinely excited to enter 2022 alcohol-free and looking forward to more sober adventures.

Happy New Year, you all!

To your health,

Niki the Wellness Warrior

LIFESTYLE: Happiness In A Workout – If You’re Happy And You Know It Clap Your Hands, Stay Sober, & Move Your Feet

Resources are available

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