Why I’m Doing a Dry-ish January This Year
January has a way of asking a lot of us.
New year, clean slate, better habits, fewer indulgences, more discipline. It can feel like someone turned the volume up on self improvement overnight. This year, instead of going all in or opting out completely, I’m doing something in between.
Like every year, PJ is doing a full Dry January. No drinks, no exceptions, the whole month. I, on the other hand, am doing what I’m calling a Dry-ish January. I’m not drinking during the week, but I am having a glass of wine or two on the weekends. I’m thinking of it as a softer reset and a version that fits my life right now.
If you’ve seen “Dry January” everywhere and felt curious but also a little resistant, this might be the middle ground you didn’t know you were allowed to choose.
So what is Dry-ish January?
Dry-ish January is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a flexible, intentional approach to drinking less in January without cutting alcohol out entirely. Instead of an all or nothing mindset, it’s about creating boundaries that feel realistic and supportive.
For some people, that might mean only drinking on weekends. For others, it could look like skipping alcohol at home but saying yes at social gatherings. Or choosing one or two nights a week instead of every night. The point isn’t perfection, it’s more like awareness.
Why people do it
A lot of us come into January a little tired. December is wonderful, but it’s also indulgent in every way. More food, more sugar, more late nights, more wine. Dry January became popular because people wanted to reset after the holidays and see how their bodies and minds felt without alcohol.
Dry-ish January keeps that same spirit but removes the pressure. People do it to sleep better, have clearer mornings, feel more present, save money, or simply check in with their habits. Sometimes it’s not about quitting anything forever, but about pausing long enough to notice.
Why it matters
What I like most about Dry-ish January is that it invites curiosity instead of shame. It asks questions like: Do I actually want this drink right now, or is it just habit? How do I feel the next morning when I don’t drink during the week? What changes when alcohol becomes a choice instead of the default?
It also reminds us that wellness doesn’t have to be extreme to be meaningful. You don’t have to blow up your routine to learn something new about yourself. Sometimes small adjustments tell you just as much. I saw something recently from our friend’s newsletter that stuck with me:
"Someone on here went viral because they said, 'if you think you can't become vegan because you love bacon too much then just become vegan plus bacon.' And I'm here to tell you that you can apply that mentality to so many things in your life. If you want to go to the gym but you're tired and can't give 100%, then okay, give 50%. You don't have to be imprisoned by your own rules.”
Watching PJ do a full Dry January while I do a Dry-ish one has been interesting too. We’re both resetting, just in different ways. And that feels very January to me. Honest, personal, and a little slower.
How to do Dry-ish January yourself
If you’re curious about trying it, here are a few ways it could look. None of these are rules, just ideas to get you started.
• Weekdays off, weekends on. No drinking Monday through Thursday, yes to a glass of wine or a cocktail on Friday and Saturday.
• Social only. Skip alcohol at home but allow it when you’re out with friends or celebrating something.
• One or two nights a week. Choose the days you’ll drink ahead of time so it feels intentional instead of impulsive.
• Swap but don’t deprive. Replace your usual weeknight drink with something that still feels special. A mocktail, a fancy sparkling water, a warm tea in a real mug.
The best version is the one that fits into your actual life, not the life you think you’re supposed to have in January.
Dry-ish January isn’t about being good or bad, but about checking in, paying attention, and giving yourself permission to reset without going to extremes. And if at the end of the month you’ve learned something about your habits, your body, or your relationship with alcohol, that feels like a win to me.
However you’re doing January, I hope it’s gentle.