The great Dry january con: Why it’s more hype than help
As Christmas fades into the background, replaced by that strange gap before new years takes centre stage, the familiar buzz around ‘Dry January’ starts doing the rounds. A time when many of you are thinking about temporarily putting the booze away. But here's a crazy thought: what if, instead of hopping on that bandwagon, we question its efficacy and don’t?
I’m going to challenge the idea of temporary change and propose a perspective that might feel a little uncomfortable:
What's the point? Why are you stopping for a month? What are you achieving really?
Now, before you dismiss this as encouragement for excessive drinking or discouragement for a break from alcohol.
You’ve missed the point entirely…
This isn't about advocating for unhealthy habits or disregarding the benefits of moderation. It's about diving deeper into a world of genuine, sustainable change.
Let's face it: temporarily cutting out alcohol for a month might seem like a great idea that’s going to turn you into a brand new person. But ask yourself, how does this help when you fast forward a few months and you’re back to doing what you did before January?
Wouldn’t you rather build a future proof plan?
In my work with clients, I'm not interested in fleeting transformations or quick fixes. Instead, I partner with them to foster lasting changes in their lives.
Think about advice you've received in the past. More often than not, it's someone else's ideas based on their own experiences right? But how meaningful are those words to you really? How much of that advice truly speaks to your core values and aspirations?
So, here's where my approach differs.
I empower my clients to explore the deeper layers of their mind, reaching beyond the everyday thoughts and feelings. Basically it’s a treasure hunt for insights and ideas, just beneath the surface, ready to be discovered and brought into the light of awareness.
This is where the real transformation begins.
Put simply, it’s about diving into thoughts and feelings that aren’t usually at the forefront of our minds, uncovering hidden thoughts that can lead to profound personal growth.
So, let me ask you: what is it that you genuinely want to solve or change in your life?
Putting the booze away for a month might offer short-term benefits, but let's be honest - it's a bit like putting a plaster on a gunshot wound. If it’s real transformation you’re after, it’s gonna need a deeper dive into your motivations, triggers, and genuine desires.
Work smarter, not harder.
So once you’ve read this I invite you to sit with this thought: instead of a temporary hiatus, what if you were to channel that energy into understanding your relationship with alcohol or any other area of your life that seeks improvement, through coaching?
Lasting change isn't about faddish trends or short-term fixes; it's about uncovering your authentic desires and making gradual, meaningful shifts aligned with your core values.
This is precisely where coaching comes in.
So, as that noise around dry January intensifies, I challenge you to ponder: are you after a temporary fix? Or are you striving for lasting, meaningful change?
Let's scratch beneath the surface and delve into the wonderful world of sustainable transformation. It's time to put temporary fixes in the bin and start a journey towards authentic, lasting change that resonates with your true self.
