Chapter 1: Embracing Change

A couple of weeks into my journey, I’m feeling great.

In mid-December, a friend reached out to share that she and her fitness group were embarking on a Dry January, humorously dubbed "Torture Yourself for Four Weeks in the New Year."

“Way to go!” I replied.

However, I wasn’t ready to join. I had attempted this challenge before the pandemic and could barely last two weeks. Back then, social gatherings tempted me to indulge. Now, I was confronted with my own ingrained drinking habits.

I had significant plans for January that required my usual comforts—wine, coffee, and chocolate—to help me navigate through writing, exercising, and organizing. Plus, I told myself that I excel at building positive habits rather than eliminating the negative ones. The moment I restrict myself from something, it suddenly becomes more desirable.

Yet, as the days went by and my alcohol consumption increased in December, the idea of Dry January lingered in my mind.

To make it more manageable, I decided on a Bi-Dry-January, a term I just coined. I would commit to two weeks of sobriety. The initial evenings were challenging as I missed the ritual of enjoying a glass of wine with dinner. However, I noticed improvements in my sleep quality and felt more energized in the mornings. I discovered new ways to unwind, which occasionally included indulging in ice cream. Though I was a bit irritable at night, I woke up feeling happy and refreshed.

On January 6th, my friend messaged me that she was going on vacation and would likely indulge in some drinks while away. What?! She was the one who inspired me to try this, and now she was bailing? Left to my own devices, I found an unexpected resolve, facing each 5 PM hour with a comforting mug of herbal tea.

To my surprise, the experience has been not just bearable but wonderful. I feel so good that I’m considering extending my commitment for the entire month—and possibly even into February.

For further insights, I came across this informative NPR article that motivated my decision to cut back on alcohol:

"Alcohol Use Linked To Over 740,000 Cancer Cases Last Year, New Study Says"

While the connection between smoking and cancer is well-recognized, the relationship with alcohol is less discussed.

Additionally, I discovered a Medium article from January 2020 by Mike Maser that introduced the Less app, which has been instrumental in helping me reduce my alcohol consumption and be more mindful about my drinking habits.

"Introducing 'Less' — a new app to help you reduce your alcohol intake"

As we step into a new year—and a new decade—many of us take the time to reflect on our health and habits.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Happy Bi-Dry-January! There’s still an opportunity for anyone interested to jump on board for Phase II.