Anyone looking at cutting back or ditching drinking may have come across the term "sober curious".
Coined by Ruby Warrington for her 2018 book Sober Curious, the term refers to questioning everything about your relationship with alcohol and the role you want it to play in your life in the future.
"This is an exciting shift - where we once viewed a non-drinker as someone to be pitied because they were not able to drink, we now view not drinking as a lifestyle choice - with obvious health benefits including better quality sleep, increased energy, and improved mental health," noted Sandra Parker of Just The Tonic Coaching.
"There has never been a better time to drink less - post-pandemic it has become more acceptable to request an alcohol-free drink at a social gathering and the range is growing rapidly."
But where exactly should someone intrigued by the idea of learning what it means to be "sober curious" begin?
Sandra suggests starting by working out why you feel a need for a wine or beer in the evenings and any preconceptions you may have about being sober or alcohol-free.
Update your calendar
First, get your diary out and look at your schedule for the next couple of weeks.
"Notice what your month looks like and what social events you have planned. Then be honest and note how often you would normally drink over that period - include drinking at home, after work, socialising, etc. Next, pick a minimum of two days from each week to be alcohol-free. I recommend including a social event as well as a night at home," she shared.
Reframe your approach
"Each time you find yourself thinking I can't drink at an event, switch it to, 'What could be great about attending and not drinking?' It could be that you get to remember the whole event including the fun parts and get to enjoy reliving the experience the next day without any anxiety about your drinking," the expert commented.
"Or that you are able to arrive and leave when you like rather than staying to the bitter end and wasting the next day recovering. A night at home can be spent actually doing something - playing a game with your children or going for a walk after dinner instead of ending up slumped in front of the TV with wine. The reframe will help you shift from feeling deprived to being resourceful."
Go all-in
If Dry January is about hibernation at home until February 1, being sober curious is the opposite.
"Embrace and accept any fun social events that come your way. As a guide - karaoke is more nerve-racking and exciting when you are not dulled out by alcohol as is watching a live sporting event or dancing at a friend's BBQ," said Sandra.
Tell your friends
Describe it as a social experiment and something fun.
"If you get any negative reactions, it can be helpful to remind yourself that they come from a place of fear. Tell yourself you are an outlier, rather than someone stuck in a rut with alcohol," she continued.
Reward yourself
Why not give yourself a reward for achieving a specific goal?
"If your mind defaults to alcohol, tell yourself you want an upgraded reward - something better than alcohol. This not only makes us feel good it also motivates us the times it feels difficult," added Sandra.
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