I understand the appeal.
Some want to compensate for holiday excess.
Others just like the idea of starting the New Year with a “detox,” hoping it will be the start of a healthier 2025.
I can’t say for sure that a Dry January has no benefit for anyone, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for most people.
In my own experience and my professional experience with clients, I’ve found that eliminating something we want from our diet, whether it’s sweets, carbs, or alcohol, only makes it more enticing.
Even though we may not be aware of them, this all-or-nothing approach can lead to conscious or subconscious thoughts of scarcity and punishment.
Here are a couple of examples:
I'm doing a dry January, so I am going to enjoy extra alcohol in December. (scarcity)
I drank more than I should have in December so I will drink nothing in January. (punishment)
After a Dry January, most people will either go back to drinking the same way they used to come February 1st, or worse, go overboard when they are finally able to have alcohol again.
If you want to be healthier in 2025, I suggest skipping Dry January, 75 Hard, or other extreme programs and, instead, work on enjoying the things you love in moderation.
It won’t necessarily be easier, but it will benefit you more in the long run.
Try these intentional thoughts:
It's the holidays, so I may drink more, but I don't need to drink much more than usual to enjoy the experience fully.
I don't want to drink so much I don't feel well tomorrow.
If someone heavy pours my drink, I don't need to drink all of it
It's OK to tell a host, "I don't want to have a headache in the morning."
The holidays and regular days might look different concerning the amount of consumption, but they are still part of my overall balanced approach.
And if you are the heavy-pouring host, please stop. 😊
Of course, if drinking is causing you problems in life, then I encourage you to quit and get some support.
But if you’re looking for self-improvement, don’t go for all or nothing. Instead, find a way to incorporate the foods and drinks you love into a healthy lifestyle.
Balance your long-term health goals with enjoying your day-to-day life. There’s room for both. But it might take a bit of practice to get it right for you.
If this approach appeals to you but you struggle to implement the habit changes you want to support YOUR balance, consider joining our next Strategy Matrix Method Program, where we discuss and practice these ideas and so much more. We kick off February 18th, but if you sign up now, you will have access to the first module of the online course immediately, and you are welcome to do your soft start.
This alings well with something Ali Abdaal said during the Spark Summit this past weekend. He was referenecing something he learned fromm someone else, in a book he read I believe, when he was studiying to be a doctor. The book said to aim to be a good doctor, not a great doctor. It sounds like a strange thing to say, but what it was getting at is that the amount of focous and energy it takes to be great is often at the expense of what's important--in this case, showing up fully for patients.