My Experience with Dry January So Far

I (38M) wanted to share some reflections on my experience with Dry January. It’s been making me think a lot about my relationship with alcohol.

Since COVID, my drinking has gradually increased, and by the end of 2024, I hit what I’d call my peak. While I mostly kept my drinking to weekends, those weekends were intense—drinking straight whiskey throughout the day and going through bottles shockingly fast. Toward the end of the year, I started to feel the physical toll and decided, almost on a whim, to challenge myself to go without alcohol for a month.

I’ve done Sober October once before, and I remember the biggest challenge back then was dealing with boredom. This time around, while I’ve definitely had moments of boredom, I’ve made an effort to stay busy. I can’t say I feel noticeably more energetic, but because I’m actively finding things to do instead of drinking, I’ve ended up being more productive.

The biggest surprise came when I asked my wife if she noticed any difference. Her response caught me off guard: she said it was like night and day. She described me as more calm and gentle, less loud and rude. I always thought I did a decent job of holding it together when I drank, but hearing that made me realize just how much self-awareness I was lacking.

Over the past week, I’ve been in situations where I’d normally drink—dinners with acquaintances, birthday parties—and honestly, I felt better socializing sober. I didn’t expect that.

This challenge has also given me the space to deal with the underlying issues that led me to drink. Have I solved all my problems? No, but I feel like I’m addressing them in healthier ways. I’ve been reading more (something I never did while drinking), exercising (impossible when drunk), and managing my emotions better.

For example, I’ve had moments of anger, but I’ve been able to temper it. Things that might have escalated into arguments with my wife now pass without much drama. Overall, it’s been eye-opening.

It’s been a stark change to wake up on weekends feeling refreshed, to handle stress and emotions without a drink, and to approach social situations with a clear head. I hope that if I decide to drink after January, it’s less regular, less frequent, and in smaller quantities. But I can’t shake the fear that my old self might win the battle against this new version of me—and that thought scares me.

TL;DR:
Dry January has made me reflect on my relationship with alcohol. I feel more productive and calmer, but I’m nervous about slipping back into old habits after January. Hoping to find a healthier balance moving forward.