Another guest blog post this week, this one from Amanda, a dedicated life coach for the sober curious. Check her out on Instagram (@amandakuda), lots of genuinely inspiring little hacks and content and her blog is really worth a read!

So, I learned about Dry January two years before I participated... here's what kept me stuck for so long.

I didn't "have a problem" with alcohol

When I got sober curious several years back, there weren't resources for sobriety outside programs focused on recovery. Therefore, I saw every attempt to change my relationship with alcohol as an admission to something that felt untrue...even if it was just taking a break from alcohol for a month.

What I know now: You don't need to have a problem with alcohol for it to be a problem in your life. If you feel like alcohol is holding you back from living the life you desire, it is a problem.

I was afraid I'd be bored if I didn't drink.

...and I didn't do well with boredom. Years ago, I struggled to sit with my own thoughts. If I didn't have plans for the weekend, I'd get anxious about the possibility of boredom & the sense of sadness & loneliness that came with it.

What I know now: Boredom is an invitation to get cozy with your emotions; this builds self-esteem & emotional resilience. Back then, I didn't have the tools to sit with my emotions.so I avoided them by keeping myself busy with socializing & drinking. Today, I've cultivated the skills I need to feel comfortable being alone...I would not have had the space to do this had I kept drinking.

I was scared I'd fail.

From the time I began drinking, I don't think I'd ever gone a week without alcohol. Although I only drank on the weekends, it was a staple of my lifestyle & I didn't know if I would be able to withstand the peer pressure of a month without alcohol.

What I know now: Confidence comes from commitments you make & keep to yourself...and you can do anything you set your mind to for 30 days.

I was afraid of what was next.

Because I viewed sobriety as a punishment or an admission of defeat, I had a quiet fear of what came after Dry January.

• Did I go back to how things were? That seemed pointless.
  Did I try to keep up with my lifestyle and work on moderation? That seemed impossible.
• Did I keep going & see how long I could abstain?
  That seemed scary.

What I know now: The reality is, Dry January can be whatever you want it to be. Unfortunately, it's not a quick fix into a new relationship with alcohol, but - if done with intention & mindfulness - Dry January can be a springboard to a new & different relationship with alcohol...& yourself.

 🍻Cheers! 🍻

About Nirvana Brewery:

We are the UK’s only No/Low alcohol dedicated brewery, one of only 16 Soil Association certified Organic breweries and the only one in London.

We believe that outstanding beer doesn’t need alcohol, that award winning flavour is not tied to abv, and that drinking with friends doesn’t have to mean a slow start the next day. 

Brewing since 2016, our beers contain no animal products, less alcohol than orange juice and are between 33 and 66 calories per bottle.