By Julie Vincent
The nature of Dry January is polarizing — you are either a heck yes or an umm, no for a month of no drinking after the holidays.
I decided I was “in” this year, but with one caveat — I wanted to have a different mindset about it all. I didn’t feel the need to detox or focus on restriction. But I did want to be more mindful about how, when, and why I drank. So, I participated in a month alcohol free, and took note of all the feelings that came up when I felt like I wanted to—or was invited to, drink.
The truth is that many of us are on autopilot with drinking. We default to champagne for a celebration, cocktails for a moms’ night out, or a glass of wine to unwind after a long day. But when we bring awareness to it, so many other options open up.
Over January, I played paddle to celebrate a friend’s birthday, had a family dance party after hearing good news, and made myself a virgin hot toddy (so good!) for Sunday Funday football. A month of not drinking didn’t make me never want to drink again — instead, it made me want to continue to practice the mindfulness I learned during my experiment, and appreciate when and why I do imbibe.
Whether you participated or not, there is one thing we can all take away from Dry January — life doesn’t need to feel so polarizing if you practice mindfulness. And, this is a wellness strategy that works well beyond just alcohol. I use it for nutrition, movement, and parenting (among other things!)
So next time you have an urge to have a drink, try this: pause. Then, ask yourself why? And, is there another option? Maybe it’s a mocktail, home cooked meal, walk with a friend or some alone time that you really need instead. And if it feels right, then you can confidently choose to enjoy and appreciate it.
Julie Vincent is a Mindset + Wellness Coach on a mission to help women find transformative wellness by embodying their most joyful life. Through intentional mindset and mindfulness work, guided deep dives, and nutrition and wellness support, Julie guides you to amplify your wellness through integrating small rituals and mindset shifts into your days. With this new way to see and move through life—you will feel present, grounded, and empowered—once and for all. She is a local mom of two from Rowayton. For more information on her offerings, visit www.clearspaceforjoy.com and follow her on Instagram @iamjulievincent. Mention LOCAL MOMS for a complimentary 30-minute nature walk coaching session.