Did Dry January Change My Life? Here's What I Learned.

It was the end of a busy holiday season back in 2017, and I remember thinking to myself, “I need a BIG break from drinking and all the holiday indulgences.”

Dry January was a lesser known thing back in 2017, and I was the only one in my friend group who was participating. But that year, something felt way different. I was really tired of feeling hungover and weighed down by this unhealthy habit, both physically and mentally, and deep down, I knew it was time for a full reset from my rocky relationship with alcohol.

At first, it felt daunting, as I wanted to succeed at Dry January and extend the 30-day challenge to the 90-day mark. A month can feel like forever when you’re skipping out on that evening glass of wine or that celebratory weekend cocktail...but adding on another 60 days? It felt pretty overwhelming.  But little did I know how much those 90 days would lead to profound changes -not just with my habits, but in my entire approach to living a healthy, alcohol free lifestyle.

And this is the story of how Dry January changed my life.

Why I Decided To Try Dry January

The 2017 holidays left me feeling empty, sad, depressed, and wildly hungover. A little backstory: a year prior, in late 2015, I moved clear across the country and was far away from my comfort zone. I heavily relied on alcohol to take away the uneasy feelings that were constantly bubbling up from this cross-country move. And I decided to stay put for my 2016 holiday season, instead of flying back home to visit my family, which meant my first holiday season all on my own.

A “friend” of mine invited me to a lavish 5-course holiday wine pairing dinner, so my holiday wouldn’t be spent alone and thousands of miles away from my loved ones. Excitedly, I accepted the invite and was ready to begin some new holiday traditions in my new home.

Except on Christmas Eve, this “friend” cancelled on me in the late afternoon, stating they “decided to spend it with their nephew and family instead.” As you could imagine, I was pretty heartbroken, devastated, and all alone on the most magical holiday of all. I luckily received this text in the grocery store parking lot, so I loaded up with last-minute items to prepare a holiday meal, including two magnums of red wine…and yes, I polished those puppies off.

After that holiday, my energy was nonexistent, my face was bloated, and I could see that alcohol had become more than just a social lubricant. I was drinking nearly every day and I felt the effects more than ever. I knew a break would be hard, especially in the social settings I found myself in as I tried to make new friendships, but I was being called to something more than the almost daily hangovers I would suffer from every morning.

A part of me wondered what it would feel like to let go of this habit for good and experience life a bit clearer, a bit lighter, and free from the constant grossness that alcohol had me feeling all too often.

I knew I wanted to do Dry January and I knew I wanted to go longer than the typical 30 days, but let me be loud and clear: it was NEVER my intention to never drink again. I committed to Dry January plus 60 more days. That was it. I never made a commitment to stop drinking for good…that part, well….evolved over time.

So let me pause really quick here: if you’re considering Dry January, whether for a reset, a challenge, or just out of curiosity, know that it’s a choice worth making—even if it feels intimidating, overwhelming, or like a stupid idea. Sometimes, that first step opens doors you never expected.

Health Benefits I Noticed Going Alcohol-Free

I won’t lie; the first (few) weeks of my Dry January reset were rough. My sleep was inconsistent and there was a nagging feeling of always “missing out” on all the “fun” everyone was having at local happy hours or weekend outings at favorite neighborhood hangs. FOMO is very real and I had a bad case of them that I couldn’t shake.

But by week three(ish), things began to shift. I started waking up with crazy amounts energy instead of dragging myself out of bed. I noticed my skin looking brighter and less bloated, my mind feeling clearer, and my mood so much lighter. Here’s what else I experienced.

• Better Sleep: My sleep improved so much that it became one of the biggest motivators to stick it out. Without alcohol disrupting my rest, I was getting deeper, more rejuvenating sleep that was so yummy!

• Mental Clarity and Focus: I felt sharper, like a fog had lifted. Small things like staying focused at work or even remembering little details got easier.

• Physical Wellness: My energy levels skyrocketed, and I even dropped a bit of weight. The change was gradual, but by the end of the month, I felt leaner, stronger, and more vibrant.

It was the kind of wellness boost I didn’t know I needed. If you’re here to read about the health benefits of quitting alcohol for a month, please know that they’re real - and they’re worth experiencing for yourself (and go far beyond better sleep and skin. The emotional well-being boost and overall mental healing that takes place truly are the hidden Dry January benefits!)

How I Made It Through Dry January (and Tips for You)

Getting through the month wasn’t always easy, and I quickly learned that preparation is key. Here are some of the tips that helped me succeed and made the journey a little smoother:

• Set a Clear Intention: Before the month began, I asked myself why I was doing this. I wrote it down and kept it somewhere visible to remind me. My why was simple: NO MORE HANGOVERS. It doesn’t have to be this elaborate and poetic reason; it can be as simple as “I don’t want to feel like shit anymore”.

• Lean on Alcohol-Free Alternatives In Fancy Glasses: When I craved something special in the evenings during that witching wine o’ clock hour, I’d pour a mocktail or try a new non-alcoholic drink in a fancy wine glass (as I was a massive wine drinker). These little rituals became part of my day and helped me feel like I wasn’t missing out. PS: I created a list of the 100+ hottest non alcoholic drinks and wrote a beginner’s guide to the world of NA bevies. Check ‘em out!

• Find Your Support System: Staying connected with others made a huge difference. But back when I did my Dry January, there weren’t a ton of resources (which is how Hypegirl Healing was born…but we’ll save that story for another day). I craved connection with others who could understand the wild changes that were happening during this time, so I created a faceless IG account. I just needed to chat with others who knew what I was going through. Now fast forward to today and, I’m so excited to share that I  have created my own supportive space, filled with like-minded gals — Hypegirl Hangouts Chat. Whether you’re new to Dry January or a seasoned wellness-seeker, it’s a place to share tips, stories, and motivation with people on the same Dry January, alcohol free journey. You can start chatting right away, so pause right here and join us inside Hypegirl Hangouts Chat!

Non-Alcoholic Drinks That Made Socializing Easier

One of the most surprising parts of Dry January was discovering the world of non-alcoholic drinks. I found that with a bit of creativity, I could make social gatherings just as enjoyable without the alcohol. Here are some of my go-tos:

• Mocktail Magic: I started experimenting with fun mocktails that were easy to order, like a spicy ginger mule or a simple soda water with a lemon wedge in a wine glass. It helped me to feel included without the booze.

• Alcohol-Free Brands: There are so many great brands now that offer non-alcoholic wines, beers, and spirits. I loved trying new ones each week and finding flavors I genuinely enjoyed. Discover your new favorite today and swipe your free copy of the Hot 100 guide.

• Healthy Alternatives: Kombucha, sparkling water with fresh fruit, or even ja twist on iced tea became my new “bar” lineup.

If you’re curious about what’s out there, our community shares tons of suggestions. Hop into Hypegirl Hangouts Chat to swap recommendations and try something new inside out “Non Alcoholic Bevies” chat forum.

How Dry January Changed My Life Beyond One Month

When Dry January ended, I was so ready to keep on going with the 90-day commitment I had made with myself. I’d grown so used to my new Dry January routine that I didn’t want to go back to my old habits...and I knew that this was just the beginning.

I decided to continue adding onto the positive changes I was experiencing — not by restricting and depriving myself of the parts of my routines that I enjoyed (like binge watching Bravo with snackies and fun bevies), but with replacing and refreshing old, unhealthy habits with new, rejuvenated ones (like enjoying an NA sparkling wine while I binge a Real Housewives shitshow reunion).

But the biggest impact of Dry January was the clarity it brought to my relationship with alcohol.
Instead of a default choice, alcohol became completely insignificant. The stress I would experience, the way I defined fun, the social interactions I would engage in, no longer required alcohol. This shift not only improved my health but also deepened my sense of self-awareness with what made me happy, healthy, fulfilled, and alive.

If you’re curious about how Dry January changed my life, know that it’s not just about the physical benefits you read about. It’s about realizing your strengths, building new habits, and gaining a fresh perspective on what truly makes you feel your best, despite what others are doing or what society has told you.

Join the Journey: Your Dry January Success Story Awaits

So, if you’re considering Dry January, or if you’re in the middle of it right now, I want to HYPE YOU UP, sister! This one month can be the beginning of something massively transformative.

And please please please hear me when I say this: you don’t have to go it alone. Inside Hypegirl Hangouts Chat, you’ll find a whole community of like-minded women who are on this journey too, sharing tips, inspiration, tools, and words of encouragement.

The people you surround yourself with on this journey is so super important, so seriously - take a moment now, swing by my cutie lil’ corner of the interwebs, and peep the scene.

Let this be the year you prioritize yourself, fully step into your wellness journey, and explore a month free from alcohol. You might just find, like I did, that you can be the next of many Dry January success stories simply because you decided to stop doing this all alone.

Here's to a vibrant and alcohol-free 2025 and hope to see you inside the hangout!

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