February is going to be a no-drinking month for me. I wanted to participate in dry January, but knew I had a getaway planned for an early Valentine's Day celebration with my husband so I decided on February instead.
Now, first, the notion that just because I was getting away with my husband required drinking is beyond me. But, sadly, that is what we have come to in our society. And, if left to that crutch, there would always be a reason to drink...and no reason to stop, not even for a month.
We can rationalize "In August I can't give up booze because it's my birthday." Or "December? No way. It's Christmas, after all. And nothing says Happy Birthday, Jesus, like drinking a full bottle of wine...or two." Or even "The 4th of July? Oh, heck, no. Maybe September would be a better month to take the challenge."
The excuses are as endless as the drink possibilities.
Why did I personally decide to go cold turkey in February? Is it because it is the shortest month and my chances are better due to that fact? Do I have a drinking problem? Do I need to lose weight and gain clarity? In short, the answers are no, no, no and yes.
I'm 57 years old and my memory is not what it used to be. I have a family history of Alzheimer's and Dementia so taking care of my brain is of the utmost importance to me. I have watched both parents mentally deteriorate before my eyes and I do not care to do that to anyone I love if I can help it. Like it or not, there is a link to alcohol consumption and memory loss.
I also care about the physical aspect. While drinking red wine has been tied to many positive health benefits, it is not so good for some cancers (like breast and colon). Again, I have a very strong history of cancer in my family and try to do all I can to avoid it. I mean, I gave up meat and I don't smoke; why can't I cut back on drinking as well?
There's also the emotional aspect of drinking that sometimes does me in. I am a very emotional person. If the situation is not just right, I can get very teary and just a little bit crazy when I drink. Even after one glass of wine or margarita.
But I think the biggest reason I chose to quit drinking for a month is because I would like to be more present. This is something that is a huge challenge for me; I am either thinking about yesterday or worrying about tomorrow much of the time. Quite simply, I am sick and tired of it. I have been working quite hard on this aspect of life and have made some strides, but much more would be better.
Being present means more than just living in the moment, though. It means REMEMBERING the moment. Alcohol, even a little bit, impairs our ability to remember and much of life requires remembering. Both the good stuff and the not so good stuff. First, I want to cling to every moment of good and I want to be fully aware of the bad so that I can learn and grow and change, to the best of my ability.
Do I drink enough for it to matter? I think so. Just like many people, since March I have been home most of the time. From March through September I worked from home and enjoyed daily happy hours outside on our porch with my husband. This kept both of us half-way sane. Now I'd hardly call two white claws a night a drinking problem, but I drank more during those months than I had in previous months. Now I probably have a drink or two a few times a week so it won't be a huge change for me. I can't remember, however, the last time I didn't have a beer or class of wine or margarita for 28 days.
Perhaps that is just one more reason why I need to be fully focused in February. And I'd love it if you joined me.