Countdown to Sober October 2022!

Sober October will be here Saturday!

If you are reading this, then a part of you is interested in taking a break from booze. Let’s honor that part and delve into the benefits of what taking a break from alcohol can do for your health, well-being, and self-talk.

Here are some ideas to consider that will help you get the most out of your Sober October.

Cognitive Dissonance

Many of us drink even though we don’t want to because we hold separate beliefs about alcohol. Our conscious logical mind knows that drinking disturbs our health, sleep, mood, and so much more.

And yet…

We have desires and wants from years of conditioning that have taken root in our subconscious minds- the older and more powerful realm of emotions and desires.

Here’s the thing, though, not all of our subconscious beliefs are true. This is nothing to be alarmed about. We all stand atop misinterpreted experiences, skewed assumptions, and false conclusions.

When there is disagreement and misalignment between the conscious and subconscious minds, we are dealing with cognitive dissonance- a place of frustration and self-doubt.

For any real change to occur, we must address the cognitive dissonance and willingly go into uncomfortable unexamined territory within our minds to examine the layers of our beliefs and determine if they are actually true.

How do we go about facing this cognitive dissonance?

Well…

Awareness is the first step.

Have you experienced this: you get in your car, back out of your driveway, and the next thing you know, you are at the office? All thoughts and actions were done unconsciously: the driving, the route, the scenery.

The habit is so entrenched in your life that you are unaware of it.

Taking a break from booze allows you to focus the light of awareness on your previously unexamined thoughts, feelings, and resulting actions.

You start to notice what triggers and thoughts lead you to pour a drink. Or how you feel before you even open the bottle. Or which cultural norms influenced your decision to drink.

This simple act of awareness, even of the smallest thoughts, gives you your power back and begins to shift your subconscious.

Before you start.

Take a selfie on October 1st. You might be surprised at the changes in your facial features that just 30 days alcohol-free will bring.

Consider taking body measurements with tailor’s tape and note the difference at the end of the month.

Get a journal of some kind. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy (I use a single-subject notebook). You will want to record your thoughts and feelings.

Getting these things out of your head and onto paper has tremendous benefits.

Here’s some shameless self-promotion:

If you want a quick introduction to journaling, you can get my free 7-day course by clicking here.

This course will help you get your bearings if journaling isn’t something you are used to.

Most of all…

…enjoy the opportunity to explore a different aspect of yourself and experience life without the burden of booze constantly hanging over your head!

Are you ready?

Let’s get after it!

Note*

Instead of my normal Monday post, I will publish the next article on Saturday, October 1st. After Saturday, we will resume the usual publishing time on October 10th! Thank you!

P.S.

If you feel that getting coaching around reducing alcohol’s role in your life is right for you, I would be happy to offer you a free 30-minute call. You can schedule a time that works for you by clicking here. Let’s get started making alcohol an insignificant part of your life!