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What is "Sober-curious"?

After trying out a bit of zero and low alcohol beers myself at the beginning of the year (something that I said I would never do), I became a little bit interested in this growing sober-curious movement.

"Sober-curious" describes a movement and lifestyle choice taht it focussed on questioning and modifying your relationship with alcohol, rather than complete abstinence. It's not about adhering to strict rules or labeling yourself as an alcoholic, but rather exploring how alcohol fits into your life and making conscious choices.

As a beer reviewer I tend to have an alchololic beverage most days, but because of weight and sleep issues I became keen to explore being 'sober-curious', to see if it's a lifestyle choice that would suit me!

Here are some key characteristics of being sober-curious:

Exploration:
It's about asking yourself how alcohol affects your sleep, energy, mood, productivity, and overall well-being. What are the benefits and drawbacks of drinking in your life? Consuming even a small amount of alcohol everyday as I tend to, can't be a good thing!

Choice:
Unlike traditional sobriety, it's not about forced commitment. You might choose to be completely alcohol-free for a period, this year I tried "Dry January," and had a two week period of alcohol-free days. Even if you don't want to throw yourself into drinking alcohol free, then perhaps simply be more mindful about when and how much you drink.

Motivation:
Reasons for being sober-curious vary. Some people are driven by health concerns, others by a desire for more clarity and focus, and others simply want to break free from social pressures to drink. For me, it was around weight and sleep issues (apparently I snore after a few drinks!)

Focus on wellbeing:
It's not about deprivation or judgment. It's about making positive choices for your mental and physical health.

Community:
The sober-curious movement offers a supportive online and offline community where people can share experiences, tips, and encouragement.

Here are some additional points to consider:

  • Being sober-curious doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach. You can experiment and find what works best for you.
  • There are many resources available, including books, blogs, podcasts, and online communities, to support your journey.
  • You don't have to explain your choices to everyone 9and interestingly, not very many people seem to ask anyway!). Focus on what feels right for you.

Remember, it's a personal journey, not a competition. Take it at your own pace and explore what works best for your health and happiness; for me, I tried it, I still prefer the taste and feel of an alchoholic beverage, but I can see myself drinking lower alcohol beers from time to time when it's right for me to do so.

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