Dry January: Advice on how to be successful at a dry month
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Dry January is not for the faint-of-heart. It’s one of the coldest months of the year, devoid of holiday cheer, and also the longest month of the year. You not only have to contend with dreary weather, but also an extra day or two that seems to just make February seem like such a relief.
So, to help you out, here is a round up of tips on how to make it through Dry January, from some of our guest contributors and other women who have been successful at rethinking drinking. Plus, Ottawa cocktail maven Yvonne Langen from Taste & Tipple weighs in on how she’s tackling a dry month!
Blair Sharp, Sobriety Activist & Writer
“Just try it. Notice how you feel. Recognize when you feel the need to reach for a drink to: relax, calm your nerves, celebrate, beat boredom, etc. Have a plan for those moments. Find something to do instead of drinking. Slowly you'll notice that your habits will change. Keep going. Recognize how your mind and body start to feel as you get further along. It should get easier, BUT IT'S NOT EASY. If it was easy everyone would be doing it. Just try it.
Find Blair’s daily content on Instagram @sobrietyactivist and her writing at blairsharp.com.
Yvonne Langen, Cocktail Content Creator, Founder of tasteandtipple.ca
“I’ve done Dry January for the past several years and 2023 will be no exception. As a cocktail content creator, the key to my success is starting the month by stocking my bar with an array of non-alcoholic spirits and continuing to celebrate the art of a well-crafted cocktail, even at 0 ABV. I also make sure I tell all my friends and followers that I’m participating in Dry January so they can join me on the journey or support me along the way, that helps me stay accountable.”
Find Yvonne on Instagram @tasteandtipple and writing about Ottawa food and drink at tasteandtipple.ca.
Eva Avila, Platinum Recording Artist, Brit Floyd Vocalist
“Start small, by implementing new little habits that will help shift your patterns. Try a new recipe. Reach out to the amazing and huge online sober/alcohol-free community. Try a workout video or an outdoor walk. Binge session on Netflix. Try a morning ritual, like reading 10 daily pages….By simply adding a new tiny daily habit, compounded over time, you might find yourself closer to a version of yourself that you’ve been dreaming about! I know I did, so can you.”
Nicole Lambe, Alcohol-free Mom & Runner
“I also found reading very helpful in my first few months. The Unexpected Joys of Being Sober really hit home and solidified my decision. There is actually a paragraph that really stuck with me about how your brain functions once you’ve made a definitive decision. In this case, I found that putting a clear steak in the ground and committing to myself that I was done with drinking helped quite that little voice in my head that thought a glass of wine would be a good idea…..I found myself some good alcohol-free alternatives and set my intentions to give up booze for good.”
Sarah Kate, Founder & Editor, SomeGoodCleanFun
“Having something to drink when you’re not drinking is key. If it wasn’t for my Clausthaler beer and tonic water, I would not have made it through the first few dry(ish) months. I’m so glad that now there are dozens more options available for people trying out being alcohol-free! Stock up at the beginning of the month and then surf the urge. Every time you want a glass of wine, grab a new AF drink to try!”
