I know I'm not the only person who has tried to better myself in one way or another over the years.
The older I get, the more I think that half of making a lasting change is about what other people say I should have as a goal, often preceded by "you ought to ..." whilst the other half is them telling me what I have to do to get there.
Now, at one level this is an appealing concept. I don't have to agonise too much about the goal, because it's already been decided for me, and all I have to do is follow the instructions and the desired outcome will result. Which lies at the heart of why many plans for long term change fail.
It's because it's not MY goal, to be achieved for MY reasons, in MY way, to suit MY life.
This is why in working together, the first thing we will do is to explore your WHY, the real deep-seated reasons why you want to shake up your relationship with alcohol. Without that heart-felt reason at the root of your desire to change, it gets hard to stick to your resolutions when the old habits are calling out to you.
The next step is to help you to define what YOUR goals are (which can change over time by the way).
Many people start with Dry January, Defi de Janvier in France or Tournee Minerale in Belgium as a way to take a break from drinking and reset their drinking behaviour.
After that month off some people want to explore drinking in moderation. Others are surprised that they like how they feel alcohol free and try an extended period without alcohol. Some, like me, eventually decide that they won't be going back to alcohol at all.
It's important to recognise that, as time goes by, our perspective changes and new goals become more relevant and realistic. As we work together, it will be natural to shift your goals, which will also need shifting strategies to get the outcome you want. But they will always be your goals, not mine. Your strategies, not mine. Because it's your life to live to the full, not mine.

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