I have written about my experience with Dry January several times on the blog. The likely reason for this is that I have done Dry January for the last 5 years. In January, 2021, I decided to give it a shot and the results opened my eyes.
After doing so, I decided to learn ways to moderate my alcohol consumption over time. It led to better sleep, more productivity, and increased feelings of control when it came to my personal habits.
What Happens After Dry January?
There are some people out there, though, who try something like Dry January and instantly decide that they will never touch a drop of alcohol again. My friend and fellow Kentucky lawyer, Christina Mazaheri, wrote about her experience on the blog. She recently reported on social media that her complete sobriety is still going strong.
But what about the people whose path to sobriety is not so direct? What about the people who try a period of sobriety, only to discover that moderation remains a challenge after the period ends? I’m pleased to report I have a friend and fellow lawyer who was willing to share about topic too.
A Lawyer Shares Her Journey to Sobriety
The first week in January, my friend and fellow member of the FDCC, Jennifer Hoffman, shared a post on LinkedIn discussing Dry January and her sobriety for the last 3 years. I knew Jennifer as a rock star litigation lawyer from Florida and a warm and kind person. When I saw her post, I immediately asked her to join me on the FDCC Speaks Podcast.
Jennifer agreed, and I was so happy she did. She was gracious in sharing the story of what led her to evaluate her drinking habits. Like me and many people out there, Jennifer’s habits were affected by the pandemic, but she also was affected by grief at the loss of her daughter.
Why to Try a Dry January or a Sober October?
Though it took her some time to work through the doubts and shame that come with looking at one’s relationship to alcohol, she decided to give herself a chance to see what sobriety looked like. As it turns out, Jennifer didn’t stop drinking in January. She did sober October instead. But, like many who do Dry January, the experiment opened her eyes.
Of course, after Jennifer succeeded in abstaining for the month of October, she found it difficult to moderate when she started drinking again. Within a few weeks, Jennifer decided she was done and she hasn’t had any alcohol in the ensuing three years.
How to Listen to the Full Interview
So, why am I sharing this interview on the blog? First, I was inspired and touched by Jennifer’s story and felt honored that she shared it with me on the FDCC Speaks podcast. If you give it a listen, I think you will be too. In addition, I think Jennifer’s story shows how much courage it can take to check one’s habits with alcohol and the impact it can have.
Finally, the interview has a load of practical tips and product recommendations that anyone trying Dry January or considering a change in their alcohol habits might need. To learn more about Jennifer and listen to the podcast, you can find it here on Apple podcasts.
If you are trying Dry January, check out the blog posts linked above for more tips, ideas, and resources. And for a meditation to help manage cravings, check out this one on Insight Timer or here:
Want to learn more about mindfulness and compassion? Check out my new book, How to Be a Badass Lawyer, for a simple guide to creating a meditation practice of your own in 30 days. And to share mindfulness with your little one, check out my new children’s book, Mommy Needs a Minute.
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