I can hardly believe it, but in just a few days’ time we’ll be halfway through 2024!
Whether your year is going great or you could do with a bit of reboot, now is the perfect time to pause and reflect.
Because the fact is, there are still six months left of the year and so much can happen in that time… including restarting your sobriety journey.
If you need a pep talk to get back on track or a reminder that all is not lost, I hope this video will be just the boost you need.
Key points:
Why this is a great time to reflect and reset
Some people begin the year with something like Dry January, but then over the weeks and months that follow, their drinking slides back to where it was before… They don’t then do anything about it because of a belief that change should happen at the start of the year. This is nonsense! You don’t need a new year, new month or even a Monday to begin again.
Plus, you might find it easier to make change happen at this time of year. If you’re in the western hemisphere like me, January can be a pretty bleak month. It’s cold, it gets dark early and you might be a bit broke after Christmas. If you’re more of a spring/summer person like I am, then perhaps you thrive at this time of year anyway.
Reflection questions
No matter what’s happened over the past six months, I’ve got three questions for you to reflect on and answer today:
- What was your sober goal at the start of this year?
- How did it go? (You either smashed it or you learned something.)
- What’s your plan for the second half of this year? What are you doing next?
Don’t be tempted to drift towards the end of the year. That’s a long time to be in that vagueness, that nothingness… You want to move forward with intention.
“I haven’t decided yet”
Don’t let your brain tell you that it just doesn’t know yet or it hasn’t decided. Your brain likes this answer because it means you don’t have to do anything. You don’t have to take action or commit… and you also don’t have the guilt of deciding not to act. Just remember that not making a decision to do anything about your drinking is making a decision, because you’re choosing to make do with the status quo.
What do you really need?
Remember, you never “fail” at sobriety. You learn something each time you try, even if it doesn’t work out. So if you stopped for a month in January but – looking back – you can see that nothing about your mindset changed during that time, what you learned was that you need some help to feel better about sobriety. That’s where your work is – to make it more fun. Because alcohol-free living shouldn’t feel like hard work if you’re doing it right.
6 responses
I love this and I am forwarding to a friend. My goal is to stay healthy and alcohol free… it’s awesome. I even told a stranger about the Sober School and I hope she called.
Many thanks for the recommendations Deanna. 🙂 Sobriety really is a lifestyle upgrade that’s free!
Thank you so much, Kate, for these pep talks. They really help. I’m currently wrestling with not drinking and I’m away for the weekend with the girls. The good thing about my friends is that they are completely sober or have a drink once in a blue moon (I can’t do that) so a dry weekend is doable x
Consider taking the chance to spend an alcohol-free weekend with your friends. It seems like an ideal setting to experiment, and afterwards, you’ll have a point of reference to compare it with experiences involving alcohol. I’m confident you’ll find the alcohol-free trip more enjoyable. ❤️
Always gud 2 reflect Kate! Goal in January was 6 weeks and joined the sober school. Next week will be 6 months AF.and looking forward 2 another 6 months of healthier, happier and living each day! What is there not to love about an action packed life upgrade and no consequences due to alcohol consumption. It can be done if you change your mindset. Thanx again Kate.
Hi Kris, Congratulations that is fantastic. It’s great to hear how much you are enjoying your lifestyle upgrade. Keep going!