I Participate in Dry January for My Mental and Physical Health

Six years in the past I awoke with a foul headache assault. My mouth felt like sandpaper. So did my eyeballs. I used to be hungover.

My household and I went to plenty of events that vacation season — I’m not complaining — however round New 12 months’s Eve I used to be craving a reset.

So I made a decision to surrender consuming in January.

Again then, I didn’t know Dry January was a factor. Nobody in my social circle or household had ever talked about it. Giving up alcohol for the month was simply one thing I wished to attempt for myself. The vacations have been over, the youngsters have been going again to highschool and it was time to get again to the grind.

The primary 5 days with zero alcohol have been OK. Once I instinctively reached for a glass of wine whereas making dinner, I poured flavored water within the glass. It wasn’t the identical, however not that massive of a deal. And why wasn’t I at all times consuming water from a elaborate wine glass?

Then Saturday night time rolled round. I went to a bar/restaurant to fulfill some pals. Once I politely turned down a drink, the cheerful gathering felt extra like an interrogation.

“Are you pregnant?”

“Are you sick?”

“Are you pregnant … and sick?”

I used to be shocked by the depth of the reactions. Individuals have been legitimately involved about me. I rapidly realized that my reasoning — a reset after the vacations — wasn’t adequate for them.

To everybody else it was easy: If I wasn’t consuming, there was one thing fallacious with me. Did I’ve a consuming drawback? What was actually occurring? And the humorous half was that folks have been nonetheless shopping for me drinks your entire time — which, once more, I politely declined — and took it personally that I wouldn’t drink them.

I left the bar early pondering that this was going to be tougher than I assumed. Possibly everybody was proper. If I haven’t got a consuming drawback and nothing’s fallacious with me, why am I doing this?

Then I remembered: I used to be doing this for me. I wasn’t doing it for anybody else. I set a purpose and wished to realize it for myself.

Melissa and her children

With my purpose in focus, week two was simpler than the primary one. It felt good to get up with a transparent head and extra power. When Saturday rolled round I thought of simply staying residence and never socializing after all of the accusations from the weekend earlier than. Possibly I ought to keep away from everybody for your entire month.

However I had an excessive amount of concern of lacking out (FOMO). I stay in Michigan surrounded by household and pals and there’s at all times one thing enjoyable occurring. So I went out, ordered soda water and began to discover ways to socialize when everybody else was consuming.

I nonetheless felt awkward at occasions and folks nonetheless gave me a tough time. Some feedback have been extra hurtful than others. That I wasn’t enjoyable or nobody wished to be round me if I wasn’t consuming. I reminded them that I’m nonetheless the identical individual. I’m nonetheless enjoyable. However what individuals thought of me being sober for a bit bit mattered much less and fewer because the month went on.

If the primary weekend was an 8 out of 10 on the troublesome scale, the third weekend was a 2. I used to be happy with myself. And I felt stronger. I train most days of the week however I discovered I’m extra bold — I get after it extra — after I’m not consuming.

On the finish of the month I assumed I’d be excited to exit and have a drink or a glass of wine. However by that point it actually didn’t matter to me. I felt good realizing that if I wished to have a Dry January, I may. And every little thing could be simply nice.

In fact, as a result of consuming’s a part of my social life, it may be laborious to not drink in any respect for a whole month. Some years, January seems like six months (thanks Covid!)

However I do it yearly as a result of I really like the problem and I really like how I really feel after I can accomplish a purpose I set for myself. And I do know it’s good for my psychological well being and my physique to take a break once in a while.

I now like to inform those who I’m not consuming in January (typically sober September too) as a result of I believe it’s necessary to remove the stigma.

I believe many ladies go into social settings with pals or in the course of the holidays not consuming and individuals are genuinely involved. They’re upset. They’re dissatisfied that you just’re not consuming. Such as you’re not the identical individual. Like, boo, Melissa, you’re no enjoyable. And that hurts.

With extra individuals embracing Dry January nowadays I hope there continues to be extra positivity and extra alternative to speak about it with out judgment or leaping to conclusions (nonetheless not pregnant guys!).

I do know it may be laborious to not drink when everybody round you is pressuring you to do it. However if you wish to do Dry January or flip down a drink for any motive at any time you possibly can. You’re nonetheless enjoyable Melissa. It doesn’t matter what my pals say.

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