Your Traditions Are Flexible Enough To Handle Being Sober Curious!

what“But we ALWAYS drink the new Beaujolais for Thanksgiving!”

“We make cocktails while we cook!”

“We break out the Champagne flutes and start decorating the Christmas tree.”

“We serve mimosas!”

I get it!! I used to feel exactly the same way. Thanksgiving was so tied to alcohol. In fact, it starts at an early age. The night before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest nights out in American bars as college kids return home to their friends and young professionals kick off the holidays.

The tradition feels sacred. And to break it would feel like we’re disappointing people.

But honestly, that is our brain playing a trick on us. Our customs and traditions have always evolved in our own families. They are far more fluid and flexible than we’re giving them credit for.

I remember the couple of years that my daughter, husband and I were vegan!

There are the years that someone had a baby, missed their flight, went on a cruise instead, went to the spouse’s family. Someone was in the hospital one year.

Someone is now gluten-free. Someone got divorced and took a favorite pie with them.

Or they married someone that brought in a new tradition.

Maybe one year you did a fun-run wearing turkey hats.

Another year you served food at a community center.

Annie Grace wrote in a recent piece that life didn’t ask for permission to evolve, and you don’t need to either.

If you’re not drinking at all or you are sober curious, I promise your traditions are flexible enough to hold space for your new ideas. Not only that, but I’d be shocked if someone else in the family didn’t say, what a great idea, let’s make AF drinks that the teens can join in for too. Or let’s have wine but switch to tea after the meal.

Consider stocking some interesting NA beverages that have a story behind them (they’re local, they’re female-founded, made by a former sommelier, etc) and let your friends and family experiment.

Because the issue isn’t the tradition changing.
The issue is what we’re making that mean.

And the thing is, YOU decide what feels like celebration, what feels like being connected, what feels like showing your interest in the event, what feels like being an active participant in the gathering, what feels like savoring the day, what creates a meaningful and memorable gathering, and what holds family and friends together.

What is it?

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If you’re sober-curious or just suspect alcohol is taking more than giving, feel free to book a free strategy session with me and/or get on the (no obligation) interest list for my very fun small-group Dry January program! You can read more about it here.