Dry January: Where to Start?
Sometimes we need a reason or even a challenge to make a change, this is what Dry January is: an opportunity to take a break, to reassess your relationship with alcohol and from there decide what’s the best balance for yourself, Healthy Hedonists.
So what is Dry January?
Dry January is the UK one month booze free challenge that helps millions of people every year improve their relationship with alcohol for the better. It’s not about giving something up, but getting something back.
Do I have to be sober?
You do you, Healthy Hedonists. We at La Maison Wellness believe in empowering each and every of you to find the balance that works for you. We’re not going to tell you if a dry January is better than a dry-ish January, you and you only have the answer to that question and remember its about bringing mindfulness into the glass and changing our drinking habits for the better.
Being a mindful goes above and beyond just the month of January but we all need to start somewhere, so let’s begin!
1. Awareness
Awareness is the starting point to our journey as Mindful Drinkers, its the key element to empowering yourself and your relationship with alcohol and it begins with an honest conversation with yourself.
Turn the attention inward, the volume down to block out any distractions and be with yourself. Notice, without judgment but rather with kindness and honesty, how you currently feel: not how much you drink, or how much less you drink than before, or than your friend…. How does your current relationship with alcohol impact you?
2. Rethink your Drink
If deep down inside you feel the desire to make a change, or to try out something different, then do it! But do it in a way that works for you. Maybe it’s taking a break from alcohol, maybe it’s going full sober, or maybe its moderating and finding a better balance. The key here is just to start somewhere and go from there. Your journey will evolve and change and that’s totally fine, there’s no need to feel like you are making irrevocable decisions…you’re just figuring out what works for you.
3. Discover
Figure what you like- there are so many amazing non-alcoholic options from spirits to beer, wine & sophisticated soft drinks. And as you can see from La Maison Wellness, plenty of delicious Mindful Cocktails to help you feel like you’re never missing out but rather experiencing a way of life that makes you feel good & tastes amazing!
4. A New Way to Drink
Find your drink! Maybe it’s a replacement for your favourite drink, your alcohol-free beer or non-alcoholic Mojito. But you don’t have to limit yourself to what you usually drink! Take this as an exciting adventure for your taste buds and a chance to try something new. No need to hold back! The best route to finding what you like is to try: so taste and discover your new favourite drinks & cocktails.
5. Make Mindful Cocktails
Make it your own! It’s fun to make it yourself, to learn new skills and cocktail creation is like cooking... Experiment with the ingredients you have in your fridge and taste as you go along. Watch La Maison Wellness’ YouTube channel for inspiration and instructions on making cocktails at home. Compromising on the alcohol should never mean compromising on taste. Tasty doesn’t have to be boozy!
6. Join the Movement
There is a growing mindful drinking movement taking place in London and beyond: with plenty of invites to get you feeling creative and inspired. Go to events like The Well by La Maison Wellness, our mindful pop-up cocktail bar, or the Mindful Drinking Festival in January and check out bars with cool non-alcoholic options on their menu.
7. Find your Tribe HH
It’s always nicer to share an experience and some of your friends may wish to become more mindful when it comes to drinking too. Alternatively, expand your circle and tap into a more like-minded community like we have at La Maison Wellness. With our ever-growing Healthy Hedonist community you’ll find loads of mindful drinking buddies!
8. Have Fun!
Life is short so enjoy and celebrate life in a way that makes you feel good (as opposed to that dreaded hangover after a heavy Saturday night out). Continue to socialise! Dry January is what you make of it.
9. Let YOUR Spirit Shine
Take the opportunity to let your spirit shine, maybe you always thought you needed that drink to be funnier, to have more fun but you will quickly realise its so much more meaningful and enjoyable to be yourself and let your spirit shine!
10. Enjoy the Life of a Mindful Drinker
This Dry January will help you discover new ways to drink, realise that tasty doesn’t have to be boozy, show you how to bring mindfulness into the glass. And the good news is it doesn’t have to stop at the end of the month because you will have learnt the tools to become a Mindful Drinker. Life like cocktails is about balance, so we do hope this Dry January helps you find yours Healthy Hedonists.
