The holiday season brings joy, gatherings and celebration, but as we move into the new year, it’s easy to find habits we want to change. Growing in popularity as a New Year’s goal is Dry January. This 31-day fast from alcohol aims to restore health, energy and perspective.
Dry January was more than just a resolution for Charleston resident Janelle Quick. “In December 2023, I hit a wall,” she recalls. “I was still working, parenting and showing up- but inside, I felt miserable.” Alcohol gave her the excuse to skip workouts and numb emotions.
Deciding she needed a change, she gave Dry January a try. “Almost right away, I started sleeping better and waking earlier. Mornings became my favorite time I’d read, work out and actually feel present with my husband and our five kids.”
Quick’s motivation centers on her family. “I want my kids to see that you can do hard things, that you don’t have to drink to belong. Addiction runs in my family, so showing them a different path is important.”
Staying sober in a culture that often centers around drinking doesn’t come without its challenges. Quick admits that she initially worried about feeling awkward, but found the opposite to be true. “People often pull me aside at parties to ask about sobriety or share their own struggles,” she explains.
Dry January isn’t a new concept, and local businesses like Sechey stock items that allow for fun while sticking to goals. This Charleston specialty shop offers non-alcoholic and functional beverages, helping customers adopt healthier habits. January is one of their busiest months.
Beverages infused with adaptogens, nootropics or cannabis, called functional beverages, lead the trend. Options like lion’s mane for focus, cordyceps for energy and calming mushroom blends are in demand alongside non-alcoholic wines and ready-to-drink mocktails.
For Quick, Dry January moved from an attempt to a lifestyle. “It’s not about perfection- it’s about progress,” she says. If you’re looking to try it out this year, you won’t be alone.
By Cari Lawson