You Don’t Have to Feel Ready to Take a Break from Drinking
I remember sitting on the fence for months.
I would follow women doing alcohol free challenges, read their stories, feel the pull… and then talk myself out of it. “Now’s not the right time”. “Things are too busy”. “I’ll wait until after this holiday, that birthday, this stressful week…”
I kept waiting to feel ready.
But I never did. What actually happened is that I reached a point where staying the same felt harder than trying something different. Once I started, that was when things began to shift.
The Story We Tell Ourselves
Our brains love the familiar, even if that familiar is quietly exhausting us. If alcohol is part of your daily rhythm, part of your social life, your self-care, your way to take the edge off, it makes sense that changing that feels uncomfortable.
So instead of acting, we wait. We tell ourselves:
“I’ll do it next month when things calm down”
“I don’t drink enough for it to matter”
“What will my partner or friends say?”
“I’m scared I won’t stick to it”
And just like that, the cycle continues.
You Can Start Before You Feel Ready
You do not need a perfect plan. You do not need a rock bottom moment, and you do not need to feel 100% confident. You just need a bit of curiosity and a willingness to try something new.
What would happen if you chose one alcohol free evening this week? No pressure. No overthinking. Just one small shift.
Some things you could try:
Swapping your wine for a fancy alcohol free drink and paying attention to how you feel.
Going for a walk, calling a friend, or watching a show, without the glass in hand.
Journalling how you feel before bed and again the next morning.
It is not about doing it perfectly. It is about creating space to notice.
Why October is a Great Time to Give it a Go
Our October Alcohol Free Challenge is around the corner. It is a brilliant time to press pause, not forever, just for long enough to see what changes when alcohol is out of the equation.
You do not have to have all the answers. You just have to begin.
Tips to Set Yourself Up for Success
If you are thinking about joining the challenge, do one small thing this week to prepare. My favourite place to start? Clear your calendar of anything that feels draining. Give yourself space. Say no to the things that are not essential and create room for rest and reset.
Then, set up a few supports:
Stock up on alcohol free drinks you actually enjoy.
Add reminders in your phone that cheer you on (yes, really).
Let one supportive friend know what you are doing.
Keep a notebook handy to jot down how you feel each day.
Simple, low-pressure steps. Big impact.
Ready to give it a go?
You can find out more and sign up for the October Alcohol Free Challenge HERE. It is the perfect way to try a break with support, structure and connection, no pressure, no judgement, just one step at a time.
I will be right there with you, cheering you on all the way!
By: Caitlin Behrens