What Is Sober October?
Sober October is an initiative started by Macmillan Cancer Support, aimed at raising money for people living with cancer in the UK. Launched in 2014, this growing movement has raised over £34 million, making a significant difference to the lives of those affected by cancer. However, it’s not just the funds that make it remarkable; it also conveys a powerful message about our relationship with alcohol.
My Experience with Sober October
The first time I gave up alcohol was directly influenced by Sober October. At the time, I was struggling with my drinking but lacked the courage to quit. In my late twenties, surrounded by friends who socialised through alcohol, the idea of giving it up felt daunting, even though it was causing me considerable anxiety. I often felt trapped in a cycle where socialising and drinking were intertwined, making it nearly impossible to envision a life without alcohol. Thankfully though, a radio campaign for Sober October had caught my attention and it was exactly what I needed to get started.
Having a charitable cause to support made it much easier to explain my decision to friends. While it shouldn’t have been necessary, it alleviated some of the pressure I felt at the time. I signed up for the challenge, encouraged my friends to donate, and by the end of the first week, I felt better about myself than I had in a long time. I did find myself questioning whether my motivations for participating were too selfish, but when I confided in a friend, they assured me that prioritising my health was entirely in the spirit of the cause.
Tips for Taking on the Sober October Challenge
Here are some tips for taking on the Sober October challenge that I found helpful:
- Take it One Day at a Time: A whole month can feel overwhelming at the start, but if you focus on pledging for each individual day, it becomes a much more manageable task. Celebrate small victories daily to keep your motivation high.
- Plan Active Weekend Mornings: Weekends can be the toughest times to stay away from alcohol. Have a go at planning morning activities, such as a Parkrun at 9 a.m. on a Saturday. This not only helps keep you busy but also motivates you to stay fresh and avoid drinking the night before.
- Explore Alcohol-Free Options: In recent years, the quality of alcohol-free beers and wines has significantly improved. My personal favourite is Guinness 0%. If you find yourself craving a drink or visiting the pub, why not give some of these options a try? They can satisfy your cravings without the alcohol.
Reflection on My Journey
For me personally, Sober October offered a glimpse into life without alcohol, something I desperately needed at the time. While I was never the type to drink daily, the anxiety I experienced after weekends of drinking was becoming unbearable. This made it particularly challenging to take a break, as the issues weren’t always outwardly obvious; often, the effects were purely mental. However, I know that without Sober October to disrupt the cycle I was in, I might never have been able to give it up for good when the time came.
Having shared experiences with so many others now that I have given up alcohol for good, I know that there are huge numbers of people out there who feel similar to how I felt before I took on the Sober October challenge. To those of you that are reading this and want to give it a go this year, you can find all the information here.
I hope this post has been useful and informative. I would love to hear from you in the comments below, or feel free to email me directly at bigcitysober@gmail.com. I have found that sharing experiences has been one of the most valuable aspects of my journey, and I believe it can make a difference for others as well.