#209: Have a Dry January

I did it! I've successfully made it through January without a drop of alcohol. I'm not saying it's been a fun month, but it certainly has been a healthy and productive one for me and I feel better for it. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that by merely abstaining for a month that somehow my body will have miraculously recovered from the damage it sustains the other 11+ months of the year.  I just wanted to give myself, and my body a break and see what it'd be like.

I've therefore had a very limited social life in January because I didn't trust myself not to cave in and just have one drink when out with friends. In a way, that has made everything (not drinking, eating healthy, no caffeine, focus on work, etc) much easier as I've completely removed myself from places and environments where I would be most tempted to relapse and it's enabled me to do all my 'health kicks' at once.

Last year, I attempted a dry Jan but only made it to the 3rd week. I regretted not following through all the way but there was no way I was going to make it through speed dating, and dating in general, without a drink. And if I hadn't gone speed dating, I would have missed out on something very special that made my 2013 so great.

But this year I was determined to go the full month. I've felt better than I have in a long time and will try to limit my intake in the future. That said, I've got plans for tonight, when I'll be celebrating the arrival of February with a single martini from the Dukes followed by a steak and chips dinner.

After all anything worth doing is worth doing well.

Photo credit: ronstik, Pikoso.kz /shutterstock