🗓 30 DAY PROJECT #1: 🍻 Dry Jan

Hello hello and welcome to the 30 DAY PROJECT!

The 30 DAY PROJECT is a monthly email series where I will try a recommendation from the world of self-improvement, happiness and productivity - to figure out if it’s really all that.

There’s so much advice out there. Books, articles, videos - it’s hard to know what’s worth trying and what’s just a fad.

So, I have nobly decided that this year I am embarking on a series of human guinea pig-esque tests where I try out a popular recommendation for a month.

At the end of each month I’ll report back on why this habit is recommended so much, how it went for me, and whether I think it really is all that. I’ll give you the WWHWW:

• WHAT (is the habit)

• WHY (is it recommended so much)

• HOW (did it go for me)

• WOULD (I recommend it)

• And, if needed - WHO (is it best for)

So - let’s begin with January’s 30 day project: the infamous DRY JAN. And don’t forget to subscribe (1 click) if you’re new!

❌ 30 days of NO ALCOHOL

Let’s be honest, Dry Jan gets a bit of a bad rep - you’ve either said or received the age old “Let’s see how long this lasts 🙄”.

In fact, I’ve found people are more likely to share that they aren’t doing Dry Jan, instead electing for its younger, cooler and more carefree sibling - Damp Jan.

Why?

Dry Jan can be seen as a bit of a fad. A why-did-you-wait-until-Jan-to-curb-your-socially-acceptable-albeit-dangerous-binge-drinking-habit sort of thing.

But the truth is, January is a great month to try it.

❓️WHY (does it get recommended)

Firstly - loads of other people are doing it, which is great for support. You are part of something, and that helps with accountability.

Secondly, the fresh start of a calendar year naturally provides the motivation to try something new or stop something old.

And finally, a month of abstinence following a traditional* Christmas period** is a good way to find some balance.

_{*lots of alcohol}

_{**all of December and likely most of November}

🤔 HOW (did it go)

For context: 2 trips to Italy last year has put me onto Aperol Spritz in a big way, and I also love all things beer and gin. So a month of teas, cordial and protein shakes is tougher than it seems on paper.

And the truth is, as a 27 year old football loving male in London, British culture is heavily centred around smashing pints.

Wanting to drink alcohol at social occasions stems from a powerful mix of two very strong forces.

The first, Social pressure, is the obvious one. The “why aren’t you drinking?” sort. This is usually manageable, but it fans the flames of ‘life’s short’ pressure.

‘Life’s short’ pressure is the desire to enjoy every moment of life. It’s short, it can be hard, why not enjoy it while we can? So when being under the influence often means being more relaxed, free from inhibitions, and likely at a celebration or fun event, ‘life’s short’ pressure becomes even more intense.

These pressures make it hard to say no. It’s far easier to avoid the situation entirely, than join your friends in an alcoholic environment and try to not drink.

But what it did mean was that instead of suggesting to go to the pub, I went for lunches and for duo runs, had board game nights and went shopping.

And, on the odd occasion, I simply avoided an invite altogether - such as the weekly trip to the pub after 6 a side on a Wednesday. Having no choice sometimes makes it easier. I missed out on a few social events doing this, but it was always helpful to remind myself that there will be plenty more. Positive change always requires some kind of sacrifice.

So all in all, Dry Jan was tough. But it did get easier the closer to the end of January I got, which says a lot about having a clearly defined end point.

👍🏻 WOULD (I recommend it) - YES

I’ve purposely avoided sharing findings and quotes that support not drinking alcohol. The very name Dry Jan implies that I will return to an Aperol Spritz once January ends. But the benefits of not drinking have been clear.

I have slept better, saved money, and avoided hangovers for a full month - all while losing weight.

I’ve proven to myself that I can say no, sacrifice social events and hold off social pressure in pursuit of being healthier. And I’ve hopefully given my liver the break it needed following a heavy Christmas.

And there’s no doubt that January is the best time to avoid alcohol. So, of course, the answer is a resounding YES - I would recommend Dry Jan (or a month of no alcohol).

Cheers! 🍻

This is the first in my new series of 30 DAY PROJECTS.

If you have a recommendation or something I should try, let me know by replying to this email!

Thanks!

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