November 2, 2026
Hey Friend,
Can you believe that we're already in November? It feels like we were just talking about Sober October, and now here we are, getting ready for the holidays!
So, I have a question for you. How did you do with Sober October?
Are you AF at 31 days? If so, celebrate that! Did you have a few drinks along the way? That's okay, too. This isn't about perfection. It's about paying attention to what you're learning about yourself and your relationship with alcohol. Celebrate wherever you are at on this journey!
Maybe you noticed you were sleeping better, had more energy, felt less anxious, or were simply more present with the people you love. Or maybe you discovered certain situations, emotions, or even people that made you want to reach for a drink.
And here's another question you might want to ask yourself: Were you enjoying your alcohol-free days, or were you counting down until you could drink again?
There's a lot you can learn from that answer!
You Don't Need a Special Month to Take a Break!
Here's something I want to remind you of: You don't need Dry January, Sober October, or any other special month to change your relationship with alcohol.
You can start on a random Tuesday in November. You can start before Thanksgiving. You can start today!
For years, I looked at alcohol as something I would have to give up. But everything began to change when I started focusing on what I was gaining instead.
Better sleep. More peace. Clearer thinking. Stronger relationships. And the freedom of not having alcohol taking up so much space in my head.
It's what I love about the mindset shift from "I have to" to "I get to."
And if October taught you anything, don't just tuck those lessons away and go back to autopilot. Use what you've learned to decide what you want next. Remember the only "have to" that I love - I never have to have another hangover again!
The Holidays Are Coming… Are You Ready?
Let's talk about the holidays for a minute.
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve… it's a season filled with family gatherings, celebrations, traditions, and, let's face it, a whole lot of alcohol and sugar.
Sometimes it's not even the alcohol we're craving. It's the memory or feeling we've attached to it. The glass of wine while decorating the Christmas tree, the holiday cocktail at a party, or the idea that a drink will help us relax after a long day with family.
Our brains are really good at romanticizing those moments while conveniently leaving out the parts we don't enjoy!
You know what I'm talking about… maybe it's drunk texts, a snappy inappropriate comment, poor sleep, 3 a.m. anxiety filled wake ups, sluggish mornings, and that familiar tomorrow tax (thank you Dr. Lee Warren).
The good news? You can enjoy every bit of the holiday season without alcohol. And having a plan makes a big difference.
5 Tips to Protect Your Alcohol Freedom This Holiday Season
1. Make your decision before the event. Don't wait until someone offers you a drink to decide whether you're drinking. Make that decision ahead of time.
2. Keep the ritual, replace the ingredients. You can still enjoy a festive glass, a fun holiday mocktail, and all the traditions you love. Just change what's in your glass!
3. Play the movie forward. Don't stop the movie at that first sip. Fast-forward to bedtime, the middle of the night, and the next morning. Is that drink really worth the tomorrow tax?
4. Set boundaries and have an exit plan. You don't have to attend every gathering, stay until the end, or explain your decision not to drink. It's okay to protect your peace.
5. Stay connected to your WHY and your faith. Start your day with prayer, practice gratitude, and remind yourself of everything you're gaining. You don't have to navigate the holidays on your own.
🎙️ NEW PODCAST: Sober October Is Over… Now What?
Matt and I are talking about all of this on our newest episode of the Alcohol Free Marriage & More Podcast! Listen here or watch here.
We're reflecting on Sober October, sharing what we've learned from our own experiences with alcohol and moderation, and talking about how to prepare for the holidays without feeling like you're missing out.
We're also discussing something really important: What if you want to change your drinking, but you're just not ready to quit?
That's exactly why we're excited to share more about our Prepare to Quit course, a faith-based opportunity to explore your relationship with alcohol, challenge the beliefs keeping you stuck, and begin preparing for change without the pressure of having to quit right now. For details see below or Sign up!
🎧 Listen to our newest episode of Alcohol Free Marriage & More!
One Last Thought…
Friend, whether you went all 31 days without alcohol, made it halfway through, or simply started thinking differently about your drinking, I want to encourage you to keep going.
Don't wait for January 1st to make a change that could make your life better today.
And remember, alcohol freedom isn't about what you're giving up. It's about everything you GET TO gain.
Here's to a holiday season filled with more peace, more presence, more joy, and fewer tomorrow taxes!
Coach Amy
Peace & Joy,
Choose Freedom Coach,
Alcohol Freedom & Functional Nutrition Coach
👉 Sign up here for a free discovery call where we can talk through where you are, what you’re struggling with, and whether the Choose Freedom™ Group Coaching or 1:1 coaching would support you in this season.
There’s no pressure—just a conversation.
For more tips and inspiration, follow me on Instagram @joyontheothersideofalcohol.
