What Dry July Could Mean To You

Dry July is a meaningful time for me. To me, Dry July is “take back your power month”. The first full month I spent sober after a 10-year-long relapse was in 2020 as a participant in the Dry July challenge in the Boom Rethink the Drink Community. Back then, I couldn’t go more than a day or two without drinking, and to even do that was insanely hard! But that year in July, with the energy of the community around me, it was actually fun to go from one day to the next alcohol-free! Boom members made it fun. The message was this: hop on and in, and let’s hit the road for a Dry July TOGETHER!

This booze issue has gotten me in its hooks more times than I can count. Drinking was my ‘go-to’ coping skill. It seems like it has been all of my life. I suffered through many starts and stops, and the full-blown knowledge of having a problem, wishing there was a way to stop, but not stopping. Dry July was my “try it out and see how it goes month”. It was a time to learn about myself, and what my triggers were. I hope you’ll join me in trying a Dry July wherever this post finds you.

Let Community Be Your Cure

Sometimes we can fall so easily into this idea that we are alone and maybe worse off than others with alcohol. Berating ourselves with negative comments and put-downs when we slip or slide down the alcohol hole gets us nowhere but clouded in shame. Going alcohol-free is all about taking back your power!

Having spent most of my life this far being blacked out drunk, I can promise you I don’t regret a second of being sober. After well over 2 years sober now, I’m so grateful I didn’t say “just one more time” yet again, the day I quit.

How Did I Finally Stop Drinking For Good?

When I was ready, I made not drinking alcohol non-negotiable. I learned many skills and tools to stay dry (mostly from within this community), and I’ve been working on my relationship with myself, healing, and taking responsibility for my past, while refraining from drinking alcohol every day.

Join us for Dry July! Post as often as you can about your successes, your experiences with alcohol, and life in general. Share your learning opportunities. Drop any shame, because it will not serve you, and don’t let day counts matter too much because it’s one day at a time, and one foot in front of the other for all of us.

Will you join me alcohol-free today in the present only? No plans for tomorrow until you lay your head down in gratitude tonight for our sober July day? If you’re coming with me I promise there’s a seat for you!

So let’s go and get this AF day started…And let’s do something AMAZING with it!!

go swimming
Read a book – join us in our Book Club!
Watch movies – these documentaries will help you stay AF today
Post on boom (with pictures!) – here is some inspiration – Sober Sunrise Salutations
Go for a walk – Walking the Walk in my Sober Shoes
Write in a journal
Sleep all-day
Go surfing – Alcohol and Exercise-Battling Diminishing Returns
Have an at-home spa day
Eat lots of the food you love
Sober drinks
Sober Treats – Rewiring your Reward Pathways When You Go Alcohol-Free
Community
The museum
Pet love
Painting
Gardening
Kayak/Canoeing
Hiking
Cleaning
Building
Relaxing – Shutting Down