It’s been a few weeks, but I have officially survived dry January and lived to tell the tale.
Now, let me be clear: I have never been into this trend. I have actually eye-rolled at the thought of it. That said, after my three kids and husband came down hard with the flu around Christmas, and I was stuck nursing everyone back to health with a 103 fever myself, let’s say I treated winter break like a 24/7 happy hour. When the new year rolled around, and everyone was finally on the mend and ready to return to routine, I decided that I needed to give my body a break. Enter Dry January.
I will say this, it really wasn’t that different. I personally don’t enjoy a beverage during the week because of work, but I do look forward to that Friday night you-earned-it cocktail when I finally get to sit down on the couch. Did I miss that? Sure did. But did I need that? Absolutely not. (I also discovered that a crisp Diet Coke is a suitable alternative and threw a few of those back as a treat.)
Now that I’m on the other side and have poured and enjoyed my prized prosecco, here are a few things that I learned during Dry January.
1. Not a whole lot.
Not to be funny, but it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. It’s just a month without alcohol and not really a life-altering experience.
2. My kids are the main reason that I drink.
They are in the stage where they are either best friends or mortal enemies. There is no in between. They also err on the side of mortal enemies.
3. I didn’t have a newfound magical energy source.
I have seen so many social media posts about how not consuming alcohol for a month changed their lives, and said influencers had this new energy source. Nope, I still have kids, and I’m still tired. Please refer to my next point.
4. Starbucks should have banned me.
I’m pretty sure I replaced weekend cocktails with daily $5.42 coffee.
5. I DID sleep better.
Even though I only had a few cocktails over the course of the weekend, due to being an almost 40-year-old, I’d be sluggish no matter if it was one or four. Someone please remind me how I was able to party all night, sleep for 45 minutes, and wake up refreshed and ready for class back in 2008. I don’t think this is the same body.
6. I do not need alcohol as a reward.
There’s no need for a hard-earned week at work or being home with the kids. As nice as it is to have that first sip, it’s completely unnecessary and really just a personal luxury.
As much as I don’t need that personal luxury, for now, it is going to be my little slice of heaven on a Friday night around 6 p.m. If you have also decided to do Dry January and are sticking with it, I commend you. I am proud of you.
For me personally, it was more about sticking with something and proving that I’m strong enough not to back out. (But don’t get it twisted; I sent many texts stating that “today is the day that I break Dry January.”) Now, excuse me while I pour a glass of prosecco and put my feet up. Cheers!
