I made it through Dry January. Now what?

Abstinence requires creativity; for some, it even entails a new hobby or a replacement vice. For a person who frequently covers stories about drinks, it's pretty hard not to be surrounded by alcohol or crave for one, especially when you are writing about yummy cocktails and the latest spirits out in the market. Even at home, I keep a minibar with all sorts of liquor and tipple you can think of, and with the WFH situation, I see these bottles talking to me every day of the week, 24/7. "Come to mama..."  

"Nothing comes close to real alcohol. Non-alcoholic spirits tasted like flavoured sugar which seemed like a waste of calories."

Everyone talks about the benefits of dry January – good for the body, for your wallet, and mental health. But you'd only actually believe it when you have gone through it.  

After a week, I noticed that I wasn't looking for alcohol's bitter taste and didn't need the occasional CBD. I suffer from insomnia, so having a nightcap was usually part of my before-bed routine; eventually, sleep came easy. I would try to stay up watching Netflix but found myself dosing off to sleep. 

"Maybe Jennifer Lopez is right to quit alcohol after all."

In a way, it also reset my body clock. Waking up in the morning has been easier. I would wake up even before my alarm and start the day with renewed energy. I also enjoy Saturday and Sunday mornings now, whereas before, almost half a day would be spent in bed to nurse my weekly hangovers. Generally, I just feel better. I also noticed that my skin was getting brighter, and it looked like I was actually rested. So, I guess the lack of alcohol in my system was paying off. Jennifer Lopez is right to quit alcohol after all, maybe her glowing skin is not just because of her excellent genes or her new product line. Surely, we can all hope.

Now that I am writing about it and has become one of those annoying Dry January graduates – sorry, not sorry – I feel I have a new sense of liberty. No, I will not celebrate it by opening that tempting bottle of Saint-Émilion wine staring at me right now or that bottle of Negroni that just came to my door – though the thought of it is slightly tempting, I still have a few hours left before January is officially over. Now that my liver had its well-deserved break, I don't feel the need to drink at the first sight of liquor and hammer my system with whisky-soaked debauchery. Since my shot at looking like J-Lo is zero to none, I will definitely not become a full-on teetotaller. I'm too obsessed with the wonderful world of mixology to be ‘off it’ for good, and Hong Kong's bar offerings are too good not to explore. 

"Practice moderation, not deprivation."

Having no alcohol for a while causes alcohol intolerance to reset, so getting back to boozing needs to be taken lightly. I will ease into it gradually and just see how it flows (pun intended) throughout the next month. After all, February seems promising for better drinking prospects, and my next article is definitely going to be about where to go for drinks this CNY and love month. 

So, if you're thinking of laying off the sauce? Forget Dry January, make Sober February or Sober October the next big thing. Whichever or whenever you decide to reset, know that it will positively affect your overall well-being. But if going cold turkey is not your thing, then it's ok. We live in a period of tremendous challenges, always remember to take in the small things that bring you joy, and if that's a glass of wine, then so be it. Make sure to practice moderation, not deprivation. 

If you're looking for more ways to be happier and healthier this year in Hong Kong, here's a roundup of recommendations. To help you keep up with your wellness goals, visit our Wellness hub for more guides on home workouts, healthy meals and drinks, and self-care ideas.