After a very festive holiday season in 2018, marked by too many holiday parties and Ravens games, my husband and I decided to do our first Dry January in 2019. Little did I know, I would get pregnant with our third only a couple weeks after Dry January was over so it ended up being Dry 2019 for me. Our baby was born on Halloween in 2019 so there was absolutely no way I was doing Dry January in 2020. Now, in 2021, here we are doing another Dry January.

Why do Dry January?

Some people do it to detox after overindulging during the holidays (or, honestly, all of 2020). Some people do it to lose weight. Some people do it to save money. Some people may do it for more energy or a clear mind as they go into the new year. For me, it is about testing my discipline and reframing my mindset around alcohol. It is amazing how I just pour a glass of wine at 5 p.m. on a Friday (and maybe 4 p.m. on a Saturday) out of habit. It is interesting to see how life is different when alcohol isn’t involved. We are less motivated to go out to eat. We go to bed earlier. We wake up earlier. I even feel like we make healthier food. I love a glass of wine while the kids are running around like maniacs, a beer while watching football, a crush on a hot summer day or a delicious cocktail while out to dinner so I know this will not last forever but I really appreciate reseting my body and mind when it comes to alcohol.

How do you survive it?

Here are my quick tips to survive Dry January:

• Set yourself up for success by really enjoying the holidays with lots of wine, winter lagers, holiday mules and egg nogs.
• Stock up on non-alcohol drinks that feel “special” – I have really been enjoying Topo Chico and Grapefruit Spindrift in the early evening and all of the tea at night.
• Drink your cold non-alcoholic drinks in a stemless wine glass to give it a little more class.
• Consider going all in and doing a round of Whole30/clean eating. Who wants a glass of wine with a big bowl of broccoli and chicken?
• Recruit your partner/roommate/friends to do it with you to hold you accountable. I could not do this if I husband weren’t on board as well. Having my friends to commiserate with has been so helpful too.
• Avoid social gatherings, which is pretty easy to do in 2021.
• Think about the money you are saving and consider treating yourself to something fun at the end of the month.
• Enjoy quality time with the kids by planning outings like ice skating, skiing or hiking that would not be as enjoyable if you had too much wine the night before.
• Remember, it is only a month!

Why do you do Dry January? Or why DON’T you do Dry January? What are your tips and tricks to survive? If you are in it now, GOOD LUCK!