Why I Opted Out Of Dry January

And what I am doing instead

I’m not doing Dry January. And that’s not because I don’t care about my health or self-awareness or balance. It’s actually because I do care about those things.

I’ve learned over the years that restriction doesn’t work for me (remember my 15-year eating disorder? Restriction, restriction, restriction). The minute something becomes an absolute rule, my brain turns it into a weird power struggle. I’m suddenly not listening to my body anymore; I’m just counting down until the “rule” is over. And that’s never felt like a healthy relationship with…anything really.

That said, I am significantly cutting back on alcohol this month.

Not from a place of punishment or resolutions necessarily, but from a place of recalibration. I want to reassess my relationship with alcohol and the role it plays in my life, such as how often I reach for it, why I reach for it, and what it’s adding (or not adding) to my life.

Like a lot of things in January, this isn’t about extremes for me. It’s about balance.

I don’t drink every day, and I don’t think alcohol is inherently bad. But I have noticed patterns over the years (especially during busy or stressful seasons) where a glass of wine or my personal favorite, a spicy skinny margarita, becomes less about enjoyment and more about decompressing, checking out, or signaling that my day is done.

And then there’s the holiday season, where drinking is part of everything from celebrating to hosting and parties to dinners. One drink often leads to two, three, and four drinks many times throughout November and December. It just starts adding up quickly and I noticed how automatic it all became.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to unwind, but I want to make sure I’m choosing things intentionally, and not automatically.

I also notice how alcohol affects me more than it used to. My sleep isn’t as good. My energy dips the next day. My workouts feel harder. I’m bloated. My mood feels slightly off. None of these are dramatic changes, but they are noticeable enough that it made me pause and rethink things.

So instead of cutting alcohol out entirely, I’m creating more space for non-alcoholic options that still feel special, enjoyable, and less out of habit.

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These are the drinks I’ve been reaching for when I want something fun, flavorful, and grown-up, but without the alcohol. I’ll link everything so you can check them out easily.

Last year, I discovered Cann, through my good friend Annie, who was raving about them. These are cans of CBD/THC infused drinks that actually taste delicious and give you that light, relaxed feeling like a glass of wine. No, you won’t get high unless you overdo it - but in the spirit of balance, have one or two and chill.

You can buy individual cans (try the sampler) or the “roadies,” which are little packets that you can bring with you anywhere and pour into sparkling water (fun to keep in your purse and enjoy when you are out. I’ve even been known to add one to my matcha lol. If you are having people over, the aperitif is a great option to kick off the night. Whichever route you go, I promise these are 100% worth it! And no, this is not a paid endorsement, but I do earn a small commission if you purchase through my links.

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If you’re someone who enjoys the ritual of mixing a drink, then a good mocktail book is such a game changer. My friend Blair Horton just published a fantastic one. It’s called Everyday Elixirs and it is filled with mocktails, matcha recipes, and seasonal drinks that are super easy to make. The photos in the book are stunning and truly make you want to make everything! Grab your copy here.

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I have a few mocktail recipes on Kalejunkie that I keep coming back to, especially when I want something refreshing but not boring.

Here are three I really love:

This Coconut Mojito Mocktail is light, refreshing, and perfect when you want something tropical but not sugary.

This Gut-Healthy Mixed Berry Mocktail feels especially good in January. It’s bright, fruity, and supportive without feeling like a health drink.

My Greyhound Basil Mocktail is fresh, slightly bitter, and very grown-up. This one always makes me feel like I’m drinking something fancy.

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For me, this isn’t about labels like “Dry January” or “sober curious.” It’s just about paying attention and cutting back. I like to notice what makes me feel good (or not), what I’m reaching for out of habit, and what actually helps me unwind versus what’s just numbing me.

If you’re cutting back this month too, I hope this gives you some ideas that don’t feel restrictive or joyless. You don’t need rules or extremes.

And if you have a non-alcoholic drink you love, I’d genuinely love to hear about it. Leave a comment, I’m always looking for new favorites.

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