As a beautiful New Year unfolds before us many of you may be taking this chance to cut back or even participate in Dry January.

Dry January can be a challenge to complete when so much of our culture seems to revolve around drinking but today I am going to share some great ideas and insights with you to make your Dry January more fun!

As a recovered alcoholic myself with nearly 4 years sober I know how un-fun a dry January can sound.  Boring right, staying at home holed up trying to avoid bars, friends, and parties where we may be tempted to drink.  Trying to do something ‘good’ for us shouldn’t be so hard.  The key to accomplishing your resolution is in finding NEW ways to interact with friends and community that are not SO focused on catching a buzz.

Even if you aren’t thinking about trying dry January these tips are still great if you struggle with social anxiety, depression, stress or the winter blues.

So now that you have decided to give it a go what are you going to do all month?

You might not see the challenge until someone calls you up and wants to grab a beer or invites you to a celebration.  The key to a successful dry January is realizing that you made this choice, no one is making you do it and it doesn’t have to be a long and terrible struggle to make it through.

Change is always hard but it is also invigorating and exciting if you let it be!  Dry January could become a month you look forward to a way to reset, revive and reconnect with yourself and your body.

Purposefully use this time to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace those uncomfortable feelings.  It’s easier when you know its coming, when you choose to do something that you know will make you uncomfortable you can head into the activity head on knowing you are participating in this to grow and challenge yourself.

Maybe you have always wanted to participate in a running or walking group but always put it off, because, it’s easier to snuggle in with a glass of wine.  Joining a local club is a great activity for dry January!

Perhaps you have entertained the thought of taking a new class such as Zumba, kickboxing, painting, sewing, bread baking or even sculpting.  Shifting your focus away from ‘I’m avoiding this” to “I’m trying to accomplish this” is a huge step in the right direction.  Taking a new class is a great way to focus your mind in a new direction instead of focusing on how many days are left in January and stand between you and an ice cold frosty beer!

Alongside testing your comfort zone, setting goals and looking ahead, going sober for dry January will give you a huge boost to your mental clarity.  What could be better than a clear, fresh mind as we go into a new year!  Plus with all the extra clarity, physical energy and extra cash you will have from abstaining this month a new activity is just what you need to take advantage of these benefits.

Now I said three ways to make dry January more fun.  The third piece of this puzzle is YOU!  You are already taking steps that are good for your body and your social life but what about you?  Self-care during dry January is hands-down the most important aspect.  Taking a break from alcohol means you will have more time and energy to spend time with yourself.  Indulge in a new way, treat yourself to a spa day instead of a Rosé, write a letter to yourself or in your journal instead of using Chardonnay to wind down.  Because you will have extra clarity during the month it’s an opportune time to reconnect and get back in touch with your inner self.  Slow down, be in the moment, and sip on something nourishing instead.

That’s my two cents now let’s get into some actionable ways you can make Dry January fun!

1. Join a club, something that will get you out of the house and preferably moving but any kind of club will do!  Expose yourself to new people and ideas and keep your calendar full by adding a weekly activity.  Here are some fun clubs and activities you can join in Thurston, Pierce and Kitsap County Washington.

Olympia Run Club 

Gig Harbor Run Club

Tacoma Girls Book Club

Olympia Silent Book Club

2. Join a class!  Of course I have to mention Artvana classes here as well as a few of my other favorites!  You may be thinking wait, isn’t Artvana a paint and sip?  Don’t you have to drink? The Answer is NO!

Aside from our Paint and sips we hold at Breweries and Wineries we also have a whole bunch of classes that are not alcohol focused or completely alcohol free!  Most of our N/A partner venues are local coffee shops in the Lacey and Olympia area, and in our other 5 service counties.  Take Fog and Fern Coffeehouse in Lacey Washington for example.  We hold a monthly class here on a Sunday afternoon.  Aside from the afternoon vibe they do not serve any alcohol but instead offer delicious coffee drinks and hand-made pastries and food items.  It’s the perfect change of pace and something fun to do for dry January.  Here are links to our next classes happening at Fog and Fern.  I do hope you will join us for one of these relaxing paint and sip classes.

Artvana paint and sip January 5th at 3pm 

Artvana paint and sip March 2nd at 3pm 

Of course there are SO many types of classes you can indulge in in January.  Here are a few others I have found around the Puget Sound area!

Braiding Sweetgrass in Olympia

Food For Life Class Series in Gig Harbor

Sourdough Bread making class in Auburn

3. Last but not least let’s look at Self-care ideas for Dry January

Read a book or two…or three!  Puget Sound is filled with amazing bookstores from Olympia to Seattle! Here are a few of my favorite places you can pick up your next great read.

Last Word Books Olympia

Half Price Books Tacoma

Twice Sold Tales Seattle 

All of the above bookstores probably sell journals and planners for the New Year of 2025!  Pick one out for yourself and set aside some reflection time, use your planner to execute one of your most productive, creative or adventurous years yet!

If you want to immerse yourself in a self-care experience right here in Tacoma you can visit the Ladies Day Spa and spend the whole day focusing just on you!

Olympus Spa Tacoma 

I wish you success on your dry January adventure if it’s something you are taking a swing at this year!  I hope you use the opportunity to invest in yourself in new and exciting ways!  Here is to a marvelous 2025, Happy New Year friend!