I know New Years Even hasn't happened yet and you may still be enjoying the holidays. If so, don't let this post stop you. Here's the thing, though, the hits on the blog tell me that many people out there are thinking about Dry January.
As I have done in years past, I am doing a retreat this year for New Years and so I won't have the ability to post this closer to the big day. If you read the blog, you may know that Dry January is now an annual tradition for me. I have done it since January 2021. It has made a big difference for me.
Here is a collection of posts I and other contributors have written about Dry January and related topics to help you consider or prepare for the challenge.
1. Ditch the shame.
Feeling shame about alcohol? Yeah, I've been there. In this post, I share how shame kept me from examining my alcohol habits for months. Trying Dry January helped me experiment and see that I wasn't hopelessly out of control. Instead, I just needed a reason to say no.
As I have come to realize, there was nothing to be ashamed about at all. In fact, writing about my struggles, including with alcohol, is now a source of pride. Funny how life works sometimes.
2. The More You Know.
One way to motivate yourself during Dry January is to understand the impact of alcohol on the body. You can learn about this in the book Quit Like a Woman which my friend Loren reviewed here.
Some of our other past posts which are not directly related to alcohol may also be helpful too. To understand how cravings work and why mindfulness can help manage them, check out our review of The Craving Mind by Judson Brewer.
Similarly, you may see that Dry January is a new way to disrupt habits. To learn more about habit formation, check out our review of Atomic Habits by James Clear.
3. Hacks and Tricks.
So what if you decide to try Dry January? Are there any tips or strategies that can help you cope or make the experience easier? Yes there are. Here is my original post sharing those tips and here is a revised version just for lawyers I recently published for the Ohio State Bar Association Wellness Advisory Board.
For some more general ideas relating to this, check out my friend's discussion of the value of patience when it comes to habit change. And I would be remiss if I didn't remind you to consider self-compassion as the most powerful tool you can use during Dry January.
4. Beyond Dry January
Can Dry January turn into a more long-term lifestyle change? Absolutely. As my friend and fellow lawyer, Christina, shared in this post last year, it can turn into a sober lifestyle. Christina is now well over 1000 days sober and still going strong.
I have not gone for full sobriety but Dry January and its counterpart 300/65 has helped me significantly reduce alcohol intake overall. Even better, it also helped me significantly increase creative output. To learn more about that, check out my post here.
5. If You Need Some Guidance.
Reading is great, but a blog post may not help you with a craving. Good news. I have a brand new guided meditation just for that. This meditation is broad enough to cover any kind of craving, including one for a drink during Dry January. Check it out here:
Want to learn more about mindfulness and compassion? Check out my new book, How to Be a Badass Lawyer, for a simple guide to creating a meditation practice of your own in 30 days. And to share mindfulness with your little one, check out my new children's book, Mommy Needs a Minute.
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