Hello Sober October

Sober is self-care.

Sober is sexy.

Sober leads to badassery in every aspect of your life.

How do I know this?

I got sober in October.

The Sober in October challenge is well-timed for anyone to take a look at the role of alcohol in their life. Think about it:  the weather’s cooling off, the IPAs and ciders are flowing in fall festivals, and there’s something romantic about sharing warming drinks around a fire. It’s before the frenetic energy of the holiday season and the end of the year. What better time to take on this challenge and examine your relationship with alcohol.

Taking on the challenge can raise your awareness around when you drink, and why. Who’s with you? Is it when you’re cooking dinner, kicking back with a glass of wine, or after work to unwind?

Is it easy for you to cut back a bit or abstain entirely, or are you surprised to find it a bit challenging?

There’s a lot of ways you can take on a Sober October challenge. One of the ways I managed my sobriety, especially early on, was by taking the “one day at a time” approach. I’d tell myself that I simply wouldn’t take a drink today but could do so the next day if I really wanted to. That reframe moved the challenge from an edict to a choice – empowerment versus deprivation. 

You can buddy up with someone who’s also interested in taking on the challenge, and make a pact to check in or call each other if you feel yourself being tempted to take that drink.

A nice walk around your neighborhood after work or playing with your family and/or pets is a great way to unwind after a long day – great substitutes for that after work glass of wine or beer. 

As cited in The Washington Post Well+Being article Are you planning a sober or sober-ish October? Both have benefits, “Studies have shown that people who abstained from alcohol for a month also started drinking less the rest of the year and showed striking improvements in their health.” Personally, I can tell you that cutting alcohol from my consumption has made me more aware of how I show up in all areas of my life. I have more agency, presence, and access to better judgment. Beyond the short- and long-term health benefits including lowered blood pressure and better sleep, living alcohol-free has definitely lowered my stress. All of this leads to improved relationships all around and better performance. 

And that bit about living a life of sober badassery? That’s been the best part for me. Having a deeper awareness of what I want out of life as well as how I show up has given me access to greater courage, a fearlessness of sorts. Those are foundational characteristics of living a badass sober life. For me, that has included achieving lifelong dreams, opening myself up for possibilities I would have been too hesitant to pursue in the past, and healing tons of things that previously held me back from living a life I love. 

So how about it? Are you participating in Sober October? If so, how’s it going? If not, what’s stopping you? Share in the comments below.