How to change your habits with alcohol for the longterm
So, you’ve made it through the longest 31 days of your life, also known as Dry January. No wine with dinner, no sneaky cocktails on a Thursday night, no mimosa brunches (okay, maybe just a couple). You’ve survived the physical and mental detox, but now the real question is: how do you ease yourself back into the world of wine glasses, drinking with girlfriends, and the occasional happy hour without slipping right back into your old habits? Well, I’ve got you covered with five practical tips to keep your relationship with alcohol in check for the rest of the year.
But before that, let me be clear: I am in no way advocating for you to reintroduce alcohol back into your life unless it is the right choice for you. Many people finish one of my challenges and tell me they have no interest in drinking for the foreseeable future. Fabulous! The less I drank, the less I wanted to drink, which is why I believe in mindful drinking. Sometimes it’s the path to going totally alcohol-free. If that’s the case, amazing – keep doing what you’re doing and enjoy this hangover-free glow. If you are interested in reintroducing a sprinkle of alcohol in your life, read on…

1. Don’t Jump Off the Wagon, Ease Back In
Look, I get it. You’ve spent a month being a glowing, hydrated goddess, and suddenly the idea of sipping a glass of Sauvignon Blanc feels like the most luxurious thing on the planet. But remember—just because it’s February doesn’t mean you need to immediately make up for lost time. Think of it like getting back on the treadmill after a month of skipping the gym. You wouldn’t jump right into a 5K, right? Pace yourself. Maybe start with a drink or two at a social event, rather than getting back into a nightly routine of cocktails. Or choose 1-2 evenings a week that you’re going to imbibe and commit to more dry days than not each week.
The easiest way to do this is to set a weekly plan and drinking limit so you have a system of tracking and measuring your progress. I do this with the Sunnyside App, which was a life-changing tool for me. If you haven’t tried Sunnyside yet don’t worry, you can still join one of my ongoing Soberish Mom Challenges with a free trial to start measuring your alcohol intake and slowly cut back. My challenge includes two weeks of free tracking, education, and access to our private chat room & community. I hope you’ll consider giving it a try, you have nothing to lose.
The main message is: ease your way in. You’ve worked hard for this new healthy version of yourself, don’t throw it all away for a glass of rosé just yet.

2. Replace the Habit, Don’t Just Break It
After 31 days of being more mindful about your relationship with alcohol, you’re starting to break some old habits (like reaching for a glass of wine when you’re stressed or after a long day). But here’s the key: it can take months to solidify these new habits once you reintroduce alcohol (here’s a reel on why). So don’t open the flood gate of wine yet, and don’t just stop drinking—replace the habit with something that feels just as satisfying. Swap your after-work vino for a fun mocktail, or take up a new hobby like pottery, yoga, or maybe even a weekly dance class. You’re still satisfying that “me-time” craving, but without the hangover the next day. Schedule early-morning workouts that make it a lot easier to say “no” to that second glass of Chardonnay when the time comes. You are probably amazed at how much time alcohol has been stealing from your life, and now you have the bandwidth to take on something new. So seize it.
3. Set New Boundaries (And Stick to Them Like a Queen)
If Dry January taught you anything, it’s that you can have fun without alcohol (shocking, right?). So now that you’ve shown yourself that you’re a social butterfly who doesn’t need a drink in hand to have a good time, set some boundaries going forward. Decide in advance how often you’re willing to drink in February (or any other month) and stick to it. Whether it’s one night a week, special occasions only —whatever feels right for you. You don’t have to go full-on dry, but maintaining some boundaries keeps you in control. Think of it like your personal alcohol “diet,” but without the guilt.

4. Find Your Tribe
You know how much more fun it is to work out when your friends are all in it with you? The same thing applies to going alcohol-free. Find people who support your new, healthier lifestyle and who are okay with your decision to often decline a drink. If you’re feeling ready to talk about your journey, reach out to your besties about your commitment to moderation and making serious changes moving forward. Knowing you’ve got a team rooting for you makes it way easier to say no to the peer pressure when someone asks if you “really want to skip just one glass of wine?” Who knows – you might also be inspiring some friends along the way. But they won’t know how to support you unless you reach out. If you’re looking for additional support and inspiration I invite you to join my community and private chat room in my ongoing Soberish Mom Challenge – we have an incredible group of ladies participating.
5. Reflect on Why You Did It in the First Place (And Revisit Those Reasons Often)
When the buzz of completing Dry January starts to wear off, and you’re back in the swing of regular life, take a second to reflect on why you committed to this challenge in the first place. Did you feel more energized, more patient with your kids? Did your skin start glowing like you were 19 again? Whatever the reason, keep coming back to it when you’re tempted to fall into your old habits. Write it down, stick it on your fridge, or set a reminder on your phone—whatever you need to do to keep those benefits front and center. Plus, if you can’t remember how amazing you felt, I highly recommend taking a full week off the sauce every month to see how great you feel. Trust me, you’ll be reminded real quick.

Bonus Tip: Be Kind to Yourself
We all slip up. Maybe you have one glass too many at a birthday dinner or your friend's wedding. Guess what? It happens. Don’t beat yourself up. The whole point of this journey is learning how to balance fun and health, not punishing yourself. If you make a mistake, forgive yourself, adjust, and get back to your goals. We’re not in a race here—we’re in a lifetime of finding what works best for us.
So there you have it. You survived Dry January—now go forth and conquer the rest of the year without falling into the same old drinking patterns. With a little mindfulness, a lot of self-love, and some solid boundaries, you’ll be feeling fabulous all year long. Cheers to that!
Comments