So yesterday was the anniversary of my birth.
Normally, this day would herald a flurry of texts and emails with friends, a reservation being made for this weekend – bubbles, cocktails – the works. Not to mention the hangover.
But not this year.
This year, I have decided to set this particular excuse to get drunk aside and Go Sober For October, a challenge that does pretty much what is says on the tin.
Step away from the bottle of wine
Question: I don’t have a “problem” with alcohol, so why be such a kill-joy?
Answer: Well, in years gone by, I have been known to partake in the odd “dry January” and recently had many months off the sauce whilst pregnant. I felt great. Waking up on a Saturday without a hangover was SUCH a good feeling. I made so much more of my weekends.
Despite this, social drinking has crept back into my life again. It feels like there’s always a glass of wine here and there at lifestyle events, foodie dinners, mummy cocktails, the referendum….the list goes on!
Whilst I’m no longer partying at the weekends until 3am or hungover at work after Thursday night drinks, the units still all start to add up, my lowered tolerance levels these days leading to a fuzzy morning head even after just a couple.
Not a good feeling or look.
Of course, in Scotland, the dram is practically a part of our collective DNA. We use it to celebrate, commiserate, steady our nerves. It’s almost considered rude here not to be drinking when in a social setting – at the very least, persistent drivers are viewed with high suspicion.
Now, I enjoy a social drink like the next person. There’s nothing wrong with that!
What’s wrong then? Well, I feel bloated, sluggish and lacking in energy, my skin and hair lacks lustre and I’m just feeling heavy generally.
I’m a big believer in looking good equaling feeling good.
Ergo: I’m not feeling good.
My personal goal in Going Sober For October therefore is to blow away the cobwebs in the hope that I reinvigorate my mind, body and spirit.
Along with quitting alcohol, I intend to use October as a spring board into a holistic approach to health and well being generally.
I want to share this experience with you.
I want to see if giving up alcohol really will make a difference to my outlook, and if so how.
Instead of asking you for sponsorship like many other participants of Go Sober For October, I intend to make a donation to a local Scottish addiction charity at the end of this challenge.
I haven’t decided which one yet and so I would love to hear your suggestions.
Do you have any tips for me on avoiding the temptation to have a tipple? Perhaps you have a favourite mocktail recipe you could share?
Cheers! Here’s to a Sober October!
Glasgowdragonfly's Blog 
I gave up drinking in January to try and raise money for Yorkhill. I’m not doing October, but I am intending to cut down quite a bit for my own sanity and finances!
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Know what you mean re: finances. Will be interesting to see if my bank balance looks any healthier come November!! Did you feel the better for it?
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I don’t ever really drink to hangover inducing levels, pretty irresponsible being a single parent, but it did make me do more things than “right, pub!”
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Good luck to you. I know you can do whatever you decide to do.
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Thanks, I like that sentiment. A new mantra for October 🎉
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Good luck Mrs. I would offer to do it with you but I doubt I would even make it to the weekend. lol. xx
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Haha! You have to celebrate getting your keys tomorrow so I will let you off 😉moral support may be required!! X
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Naturally – support all the way. I have a funny feeling it’s not the celebrating I’ll need the wine for but getting through the long hard days.
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Good for you. I regularly impose periods of sobriety on myself, up to three months at a time. I don’t have a problem with alcohol either but it’s something I find important to do. I’ve spent so many years of my life pregnant that I know I can be alcohol-free with ease and I think knowing you can do it helps you avoid temptation. When socializing, I always found tonic water and cranberry juice to be a pleasing combination. Stay away from alcohol free wines and beers – they are bogging. That’s my advice.
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Haha “bogging” is a word I haven’t heard for a very long time! 😉 know what you mean, never really understood the appeal of posing with a glass of alc free wine when could be having something much nicer! I shall certainly give your cranberry cooler a whirl. Thanks for reading and the well wishes!
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A belated happy real birthday and good for you for being a non drinking bonnie lass in October. Best wishes for a healthy happy month!
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Haha! Thank you! I’m expecting miracles 😉
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Happy Belated Birthday ~ we share the same b’day. What a great idea to give up alcohol for the month of October. I went with exercising every day since my birthday and 4 days later, I’m in PAIN 😦 Have a healthy and happy October.
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Thank you and happy belated birthday! Hope you have a relaxing (and pain free) weekend!! 😄
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