63. Dry July

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Hello, darling heart, and welcome to the drink less, live better podcast.

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This is the podcast that helps you to see that drinking less doesn't need to be stressful, lonely, or boring.

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I'm your host, Sarah Williamson, and I decided to have a year alcohol free as a little life experiment and haven't looked back.

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With my experience and training, I now help other people with their alcohol free or drink less adventures.

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You can find out more about me and sign up to my 5 day drink less challenge at drink less, live better.com.

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I'm here to tell you that you can relax, connect, and have fun without alcohol in your life.

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Join me here each week to find out how. It's nearly dry July.

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Our friends in the Southern Hemisphere have a handle on dry July.

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In the UK, our hiatus from booze tends to be a dry January, when we've overindulged over Christmas and New Year.

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But I'm here to cheerlead for dry July 2.

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A twice yearly break has got to be better than once, and what if you managed to join the dots in between from one half of the year to another? Wouldn't that be amazing?

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Well, here we are 50% of the way through 2022.

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How'd the first half go for you as far as drinking was concerned?

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Have you been completely alcohol free for the whole time?

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Have you been busy cutting your drinking down to a manageable level? Have you been in contemplation mode?

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Perhaps you've been questioning your old beliefs about alcohol.

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Perhaps you know you're nearly ready to take the plunge.

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If dry January is conventional, how does it feel to be slightly unconventional with a dry July?

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I love being a bit of a rebel, going against the grain, choosing a life slightly less ordinary.

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All the years I drank, I loved fitting in.

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I'm now much more comfortable in the position of outlier, so join me over here stepping away from the norm. Let's do this dry July together. Here are some tips.

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Number 1, there might be some end of term gatherings.

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Garden barbecues, summer parties, pub gardens, weddings, you name it, all the things that don't happen so frequently in January.

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So that's your first hurdle, considering how you're going to tackle any social events and, of course, any holidays you've got coming up.

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At this point, I would say do not use these as excuses as to why you cannot engage in a dry July.

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You absolutely are capable of it with some planning and preparation in place. Number 2, get in the zone. Make a very solid plan.

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What will you do on evenings you normally drink?

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What will you tell friends you are social ising with?

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How will you enjoy your holiday differently?

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Think of the glorious hangover free mornings and opportunities you may previously have missed out on.

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Number 3, set the goal very clearly.

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Are you going all in for a proper dry July, full stop, or are you going dryish?

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Specify what that looks like to you before you start. Number 4, write your goal down.

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Use language that feels good, put it where you can see it, feel happy and joyful about the challenge that's ahead of you. Number 5, track it.

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Use the Dry Days app or I am sober, and reward yourself with a virtual trophy each and every day you don't have a drink.

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Number 6, set yourself up for success with education.

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Read books, watch videos, YouTube, documentaries, films, listen to audiobooks or podcasts. Oh, hello, here you are. Make sure you get inspired.

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Number 7, what are the alcohol free drinks that you're going to enjoy?

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Are there beers, fizz, alcohol free gins, kombuchas, or smoothies that you want to try? Number 8, what are you gaining?

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And don't see it as giving up.

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Write that list down, all of the good things that you'll bring into your life this month.

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Number 9, what's your self care practice gonna look like? Remember, wine is not self care.

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Are you going to walk, journal, see friends for coffee, do some yoga, perhaps something creative, have a project on the go.

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What are you missing out on at the moment that you'd really love to do? Number 10, ask for help.

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Ask an understanding friend, a coach, visit an AA meeting, or join an online sober community.

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Find your people and stick with them.

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Number 11, stick with it, even if you go a bit off course.

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Come back, re centre yourself and carry on.

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Number 12, celebrate your milestones along the way.

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Tick off your 1st sober weekend and mark each week as it goes past. Number 13, treat yourself.

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Have sober treats along the way and have a big treat at the end of the month.

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Number 14, say no thank you to some events. Don't get FOMO.

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Fear of missing out is not necessary when you are looking after yourself and working towards your goals.

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Number 15, know that this isn't a punishment.

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Living without alcohol isn't stressful, lonely, or boring.

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This dry July is supposed to be a fabulous challenge.

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Really look forward to enjoying all of those hangover free mornings.

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There's so much good stuff to be found away from the bottle.

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I'm looking forward to to supporting you through this dry July.

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Do get in contact if you need some help.

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Thank you for listening this week, and please listen in again next week. PS, I believe in you.