I Take part in Dry January for My Psychological and Bodily Well being

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

My household and I went to loads 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 strive 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. After 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. After 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 downside? What was actually occurring? And the humorous half was that individuals have been nonetheless shopping for me drinks your complete time — which, once more, I politely declined — and took it personally that I wouldn’t drink them.

I left the bar early considering that this was going to be more durable than I believed. Possibly everybody was proper. If I haven’t got a consuming downside 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 dwelling and never socializing after all of the accusations from the weekend earlier than. Possibly I ought to keep away from everybody for your complete month.

However I had an excessive amount of worry of lacking out (FOMO). I reside 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 instances 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 particular person. I’m nonetheless enjoyable. However what individuals thought of me being sober for just a little 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 believed 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 thing can be simply high quality.

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

However I do it yearly as a result of I like the problem and I 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 that 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 through the holidays not consuming and individuals are genuinely involved. They’re upset. They’re upset that you simply’re not consuming. Such as you’re not the identical particular person. Like, boo, Melissa, you’re no enjoyable. And that hurts.

With extra individuals embracing Dry January today 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 onerous 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 purpose at any time you may. You’re nonetheless enjoyable Melissa. It doesn’t matter what my pals say.

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