I’ve been keeping a secret…I know, I know, but I wasn’t ready to share it with you until now. For the first time, I participated in the Dry January movement, and took a break from booze for 30 days.
The idea of giving up alcohol always felt restrictive, like someone was telling me what to do. Plus, I always thought to myself–surely a month off was only something you did if you had an issue with booze?
But truth be told, any break from alcohol is a fantastic reset, so this year, I decided to shift my perspective and give it a try. I wanted to see first hand what the benefits would be and I have to say, the experience was nothing short of profound!
At first, it was a challenge to break through what had become a nightly ritual of pouring myself a glass of wine as I cooked dinner. But as the days went by, I became more adept at diverting the cravings, and soon began to notice incredible changes:
The quality of my sleep improved by leaps and bounds
I felt less stressed out and less anxious
I woke each morning feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (well, most of the time 😝)
I read a lot more, since I wasn’t falling asleep each night after two pages (booze is a sedative; it relaxes you at the time, but then queue the 3am wake up)
I experienced breakthroughs in my creativity and clarity around my goals
The puffiness in my face and belly disappeared
I saved a ton of money and lost a few pounds
Newfound freedom
But what surprised me the most was the freedom I discovered in this break from booze. It wasn’t about deprivation; it was about empowerment. I learned to enjoy social gatherings without relying on a drink, and found new ways to spend my evenings and weekends with activities I might not have otherwise tried, such as taking an improv class.
If you’ve ever hesitated to try something like Dry January because it seems restrictive, I encourage you to reframe your thinking. It can be an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and explore new and exciting facets of your life. So, instead of focusing on what you’re taking out, shift your thoughts to what you could be gaining–like more energy and clarity.
I want to emphasize that I don’t care if you drink alcohol or not—there's no judgment from me either way. However, taking a break from habits that may no longer serve us can be truly eye-opening.
If you're ready to explore this possibility, I invite you to join me for my Spring Reset. This two-week program offers you a chance to step away from alcohol, gluten, processed foods, and other inflammatory, energy-draining substances. Discover just how amazing you can feel when you nourish your body with intention.
Cheers to new beginnings and vibrant living,
Lisa