Tried Dry January for the first time and, spoiler alert, it’s not the magic fix everyone claims! Coming from New Zealand, where January screams summer and sipping cocktails, going sober seemed like a leap. In the UK, though, it’s a huge trend promising better sleep, weight loss, and more. So, I embarked on a journey that was supposed to leave me feeling great and flush with cash. Surprisingly, my weight didn’t budge, my sleep pattern was unchanged, and my wallet didn’t feel any heavier.
Being quite the cider and rum enthusiast, this change wasn’t easy. I dabbed into alcohol-free sips like Trip CBD drinks and zero-alcohol lagers but by the end of the month, the most noticeable improvement was a whisper of even skin tone. Initially, I struggled with the pull towards my favourite pub and the buzzing ‘alcohol noise’ in my head. Yet, as the days passed, those thoughts faded.
While Dry January didn’t transform my life or make my jeans any looser, it shone a light on how alcohol casually slid into my daily routines. It pushed me to rethink its place in my life. Post-January, I had a cider with dinner, and it hit differently—less thrilling, more meh. This anti-climactic realisation was enlightening.
Dry January isn’t a cure-all but offers a chance to pause and rethink habits. While I’m not going teetotal, I’ll definitely continue enjoying Dry January for a fresh start every year! 🎉 What’s your Dry January story? Let me know! 🍻✨