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When should I start my sober journey?


Hmm ... "should" is a complicated word. You have to set off on your journey on a day that's right for you. But, for the sake of argument, what's wrong with TODAY? 

My birthday is in January and for years I talked myself out of starting any kind of regime (weight, fitness, other self improvement) as a New Year's Resolution because it was inevitably condemned to fail on or around my birthday. And then of course by the time the birthday came round I wasn't quite so motivated - and anyway, the blip in the middle of the month would make it a write-off - so maybe I'll start on 1st February instead, cos there's something fulfilling about a complete month. And then by the time February came around ... well, the enthusiasm had waned and the ship had sailed. A process to be repeated annually, shortly after Christmas for the following year.

Of course, now I can look back and see this kind of mentality as looking at any kind of improvement as an exercise in 'success' or 'failure'. One day off whether on my birthday or any other day of the year, in the context of a bigger lifestyle change actually doesn't make much (any) difference. It's changing your mindset to see progress as more important than perfection.  

Let's also remember that there is no perfect time to start with any changes. There will always be a birthday, a family gathering, a wedding, a funeral, Christmas, a business trip or conference, Thanksgiving, a hen or stag do, Valentines, a concert, St Patrick's Day, a holiday or school break, a bank holiday weekend, an anniversary (happy or sad), New Year, Australia Day that could interfere with your plans.

The sober journey is filled with all these events, all of which you might have to consider negotiating alcohol free.  But even if you make an informed decision to drink on those occasions, every other dry day that week, that month, that year when you decide to consume less or no alcohol, is a great day for your body and your mind. So why wait? 

I'm now a passionate advocate for a totally alcohol free life, although you don't have to have that as your objective for us to work together. Whatever your objective, I'm a serious advocate of starting today, because there's really absolutely no good reason to delay getting back to the best version of you. 

Planning and preparation is however also important. Tomorrow's blog will look at some practical things you can do to help you on your way. Day 1 is a hard day - but there's a lot of simple tricks to make it a little easier. 

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