Have you ever counted up all the things you have to deal with after a night of drinking? Honestly, the hangover is just the beginning!
If you’re debating whether or not to stay sober over the festive season, I’ve got something important to share with you today.
There are 18 things that staying sober will save you from during your next party or family gathering. It’s important you know exactly what you’re letting yourself in for when you pick up a drink…
Here’s my list of 18 things:
1. Freedom from the mind games
No more agonising over how much you can drink, when to start or whether you’ll get your fill. The mental gymnastics vanish, leaving you free to just enjoy the event.
2. No bartender battles
Skip the hassle of angling for the bartender’s attention. You’re free to relax and socialise without worrying about refills.
3. No scary credit-card bills
Sober nights mean no shocking bar tabs or impulsive rounds for others. Your wallet will thank you.
4. Avoid embarrassment
There’ll be no awkward moments or drunken behaviour to haunt you for months – especially in front of work colleagues or family.
5. Better connections
Sobriety lets you focus on meaningful conversations and genuine connections which, after all, are the real point of social gatherings.
6. No forgotten moments
You’ll actually recall the details of conversations, ensuring you’re present and supportive for friends who may need you.
7. No more disconnect
Alcohol creates a bubble that hinders communication and connection. Staying sober ensures clarity and avoids miscommunication.
8. Leave with all your belongings
No more misplaced phones, purses or keys. Sobriety keeps you mindful of what you came with.
9. Drive yourself home
Skip the costly, often-unreliable taxi ride. Driving home late at night on clear roads is a feeling of pure freedom.
10. Avoid junk-food cravings
Sobriety helps you dodge the late-night, fast-food binges and the next-day, greasy breakfasts.
11. No need to get your fill at home
You know that feeling when you’ve had just one or two glasses in public, but it wasn’t really satisfying enough? Trying to drink moderately can fuel an alcohol binge when you get home – by staying sober you can skip this altogether.
12. Stay on top of responsibilities
Sobriety ensures you don’t forget life’s little tasks, like letting out the dog or prepping for the next day.
13. No social-media regrets
Staying sober means you’ll avoid oversharing on social media or texting things you wish you hadn’t. Waking up remembering everything is priceless.
14. Go to bed properly
The sober version of you will have the energy to get undressed properly, remove make-up, floss your teeth and get comfortable – no waking up in yesterday’s clothes.
15. No early-morning, wake-up calls
If you’re sober and you’ve been out the night before, you might wake up a bit tired. But that’s nothing compared to staggering to bed in the early hours and waking up just a few hours later, unable to sleep.
16. Skip the hangover
This one’s a no-brainer. No headaches, nausea or groggy mornings to ruin the day ahead.
17. No fear of judgement
You’ll avoid the post-party anxiety of wondering exactly what you said or what others think about your actions.
18. Stop the f**k its
Sobriety keeps you from falling into a spiral of: “I’ve ruined it, may as well keep drinking”. By staying sober at your next festive party, you can prevent a weekend – or even a whole week – of drinking because there doesn’t seem any point in trying to “be good”.
35 responses
Thank you Kate. You covered a lot good reasons not to drink. My favorite when I pull off sobriety for any length of time , ( I look forward to taking your class in January), are my peaceful mornings. Everything is better, my coffee, my attitude, my gratitude. Let me put it this way, I have “never” regretted not drinking the morning after, no matter how hard staying sober the night before was.
Ah yes Barb, a good one to remember – the peace and calm of a morning after without regret and self reproach. 🙂
Hi Kate I’m currently on day 60 of my sober journey and actually looking forward to my office Christmas party for all of the reasons above. I’m not saying I haven’t been tempted but at least 3 or 4 of these come into my head and made me realise it’s just not worth it. Currently enjoying experimenting with different drinks rather than just sitting with a lime and soda and finding this adds some interest. Thank you so much for your advice. It’s always good to have these reminders x
Congratulations on 60 days Joanne, that’s fabulous! Nowadays, bars and restaurants offer a much-improved selection of non-alcoholic options, so enjoy experimenting to discover your favourites. It’s certainly not enjoyable to be stuck with a warm glass of cola or flat lemonade! I wish you a fun filled office party this year, complete with lasting memories of every moment.
Thank you Kate, this reminds me all the benefits of being sober. My husband and kids will be so pleased if I stay sober over the festive period and I can spend the time with them all and have extra money to spend on other things like treating them to lunch, dinner or a. show and showing them that we can all have a great time together. I’m looking forward to a sober Christmas time ❤️
Yes indeed Christine, because that’s exactly what this season is all about. Spending quality time with our loved ones and being fully present for every experience. ❤️
Hi Kate,
Thank you for the tips. I am newly sober but I am actually looking forward to my first holiday season in years. My family and my boyfriend’s family have been extremely supportive. The one thing that I worry about is making other people uncomfortable because they feel as though they can’t drink in front of me. I don’t want that at all. How can I assure people that they can still enjoy themselves and I will be fine?
Being honest with others about drinking is the best approach. Assure them that it’s perfectly okay if they choose to drink, and you’re happy with your own choice of beverage. You’re not responsible for others’ feelings, so focus on your choices and allow them to enjoy theirs as well.
I am finding this blog so encouraging & helpful mentally. I love to know ‘ All of the reasons WHY…. ‘ about everything I am interested in & my brain rarely stops ( which is a big reason WHY I drink) To switch off!.. But; And there are so many BUT’s & I love how you get to these essential points for contemplation & reference…. I am definitely interested in your knowhow, your research & your personal experiences because they are all absolutely relatable… Thank you!… When I spotted a link from you today whilst I begin my personal battle once again; I felt relief!
I’m so pleased that my approach resonates with you Claire. I’m confident that my online coaching programme would be an excellent fit for you, as it’s designed to explore the underlying reasons behind our drinking habits and the ways to counteract the normalisation of an addictive substance. Here’s the details of the next course in January: https://thesoberschool.com/course/
No mysterious bruises!
Great one to add to the list…No 19!
Brilliant! I feel a wave of relief just hearing you list all the dodged misery. I had family over last weekend for a pre-Thanksgiving party. Told everyone to bring their own adult beverages. My brother brought a martini bar, and I’m thrilled that I wasn’t tempted at all. I was much more aware of other people’s anxiety: my sis-in-law was calculating how much she could drink & still drive home; my sis needed to go out for more booze later since there’s nothing at my house. It really is freeing to cut all that noise out of your head.
Drinking is most definitely the harder option; all that mental chatter and noise is gone in sobriety.
No drunken purchases online at 3 in the morning, that you realise you dont need or even want the next day! Thank you Kate. Im sober now after years of trying. I had a meal out last night and enjoyed the food and my sparkling water. I left everyone else to get drunk, and got my self home safely. It feels like a superpower. xx
I love that, Sarah! Being sober really does feel like a superpower! Hugs to you
The uncontrollable jerks the morning after.
I know when I make it to sobriety with your help and reading the comments from the ladies. It will be the best feeling to no longer have any guilt from drinking. Thankyou!
There truly are no negatives to sobriety, it’s a win, win situation and so worth it. 🙂
Sober for one month now and will be continuing ! No plans at all to drink over Xmas period or beyond . Everything seems clearer now got so much done in just one month eating really well and found I really like ginger tea !! Waking up at 3 am heart racing horrible so glad I’m not apart of that so glad I’m sober so grateful !!!
Hi, I’ve had a few years of trying too Sarah, but have had many failed attempts! I seem to go a few days, then the temptations come back again, which I then give into. Tonight however, I have watched a very important but scary documentary on BBC 1 ( Panorama) It has petrified me and I really do think I will abstain from now on. It’s frightening to see how many people, even young people are developing alcohol related liver disease. Watching Kate’s video tonight on top of that has pushed me further to realise too, that it really just isn’t worth it for a few hours of what we believe is fun!
I want to have a sober Christmas that I can enjoy with my Husband and family.
Thank you Kate for continuing to inspire me every week.
You’re welcome Sally, I’m glad my blog struck a chord with you. The BBC documentary is a sobering watch (excuse the pun). The general public is often oblivious to the dangers of alcohol consumption, largely due to its marketing as a harmless social lubricant that may be consumed responsibly. In reality, it is an addictive neurotoxin that damages both the brain and body.
Thank you Kate x
Alcohol causes cancer too, particularly breast cancer.
So looking forward to the group Kate..Some great points to ouve sent here
Hi Sally,
I saw that programme too, scarey stuff! Definitely something to think about
Yes it’s definitely scary stuff Michele and it does make you stop and think about cutting right back or even quitting completely, which I would just love to do and hopefully will be successful with this time.
Thanks, Kate. All of the above and I can I won’t be missing the terrible, drunken argument with my husband that almost always followed a drunken night. Thanks Kate. You are doing great work!
Another good point to add to the list Mary, drunken arguments that you’ll save yourself from soothing over the next day!
Yes, that’s right: the guilt and the ‘hangxiety’ – just gone.
Also, the huge amount of money you save from not drinking: much needed over the often-expensive Christmas period. Best wishes to you, Kate. I think you connect so well with other women and truly help them with their toxic relationship with booze.
Hi Kate, I’ve been with you nearly a year now and I feel a bit nervous with Xmas coming up. The danger is you forget a lot of the bad stuff you did and start to think well maybe I’ll be ok now that I’ve done a year! But I also know that I wouldn’t be ok and I hold onto that thought. Reading through the messages from other hero’s (yes we are) gives me such strength, I know with all your help I’ll be fine. Remember girls, we are altogether in this, you are never alone. Happy xmas and a great new year. xxx
I have plenty more support in my blogs and other fun stuff to share in December to help you keep on track Gillian. For we are heroes and strong together!
Today I am 56 days AF. The best part is the energy and clear head all day every day w/o wine. I’ve been doing a lot of work and I realize that is is not the “fun” times (parties, dinners, book clubs, etc.) that I want a glass. I am happy and don’t need a dose of dopamine to make me happier. It is the stressful times. The at home times. They are when I need to get my head on straight and get over the craving. Yesterday I made a ginger simple syrup and a cranberry simple syrup. I am going to experiment to create yummy mocktails for Thanksgiving, which I am hosting. I am realizing that they are really more delicious than an ordinary glass of wine. Plus, my daughters will drink these instead of alcohol. I am a good role model and they have a nice next day too! We are all on the AF free or really cutting down as a family and we are all happier.
Congratulations on your 56 days Mo, that’s amazing! It’s wonderful that you’ve identified your trigger at home, allowing you to create a new Thanksgiving tradition. This aligns with the ‘sober tools’ and management of uncomfortable emotions that I cover in my unique Getting Unstuck coaching programme for women, which is set to launch again in January if you’re interested in joining: https://thesoberschool.com/course/
Where is the location that you filmed that? It looks beautiful, but so cold
Hi Jean, I am very lucky to live very close to the High Peaks in Derbyshire, it is stunning if getting a little colder by the day.