We’re all feeling it, the post-Christmas comedown. The trees come down, the chocolate boxes finally get cleared away, and suddenly January arrives with a long list of expectations attached. New routines. New habits. New goals. This is the year.
But let’s be honest: January can put a huge amount of pressure on us to reset everything all at once. Perfect bodies, perfect routines, perfect habits. The result? We set ourselves up with unrealistic expectations and before long, that motivation turns into guilt or disappointment.
For many of us, that reflection includes alcohol. Not necessarily quitting altogether, but reassessing our relationship with it. And while around 25% of the UK are taking part in Dry January this year, it’s worth pausing to ask: what are we actually hoping to change. And for how long?
For me, that question is exactly why I’m not doing Dry January this year.
This isn’t an argument against it. It’s an invitation to think a little more intentionally about what comes next.
Dry January: A Positive Reset (Source: ITV)
Dry January exists thanks to Alcohol Change UK, whose goal has always been about raising awareness and encouraging people to reflect on their drinking habits, not enforcing abstinence for abstinence’s sake.
For many people, Dry January is genuinely positive. It creates a pause. A reset. A moment to check in with how alcohol fits into daily life. And as a starting point, that’s powerful.
But if the aim is long-term change, it’s worth remembering that Dry January was never meant to be a rulebook yet a prompt for awareness and more conscious choices.
What Happens After January?
If you’re making a conscious decision to cut back, Dry January can absolutely be a gateway to that change. But it’s worth asking what the intention really is.
Is it about taking a break after a particularly indulgent Christmas? Is it about regaining a sense of control?
Or is it about creating a healthier, more sustainable relationship with alcohol over the long term?
For some, January becomes a four-week reset followed by a return to old habits and sometimes with a big night out already pencilled in for the end of the month. That’s something I’ve noticed in myself before, a short reset, followed by familiar habits.
That’s not a criticism, just a question worth considering. January is useful, but intention matters more than abstinence alone.
Moderation as a Year-Round Approach
Instead of swinging from one extreme to the other i.e. cutting alcohol out completely, then jumping straight back in, moderation offers a more consistent, and I'd argue, realistic approach.
Moderation doesn’t mean removing enjoyment or avoiding social situations. It means being measured and intentional. It means finding ways to reduce alcohol intake without sacrificing flavour, ritual, or connection.
There are now options that allow you to halve the alcohol units (and often the calories) while keeping the experience intact. And importantly, moderation looks different for everyone. There’s no single right way to do it.
That’s why, this year, I’m choosing moderation over abstinence.
What Is Mid-Strength Beer?
Mid-strength beer offers something different.
At Small Beer, everything stays between 2.0-2.8% ABV meaning:
- full flavour without full alcohol units
- gentle relaxation rather than intoxication
- no afternoon slump
- no oversharing
- no next-day regret
Why Mid-Strength Works Especially Well in January (and Beyond)
In January, mid-strength supports the mindset many people are already in: being more conscious, without being restrictive.
Longer term, it allows for balance. After-work drinks without the sore head the next day. Social plans that don’t derail morning runs or fitness goals. Better sleep, less disruption, and for those focused on health, often around half the calories of an average beer.
Rather than being a January-only solution, mid-strength makes moderation feel achievable all year round.
It’s Not Either / Or
Dry January works for a lot of people and that’s worth respecting. Abstinence can be the right choice for some, particularly for those wanting a full reset.
Mid-strength isn’t a replacement for Dry January. It’s an option alongside it. For those not taking part, or for those thinking about what happens after January, it offers a way to carry that awareness forward without reverting to old habits.
Drinking With Intention
January doesn’t need to be about perfection. It’s about awareness. About checking in. About understanding what we want our habits to look like, not just this month, but over the long term.
Whether that means taking a full break, cutting back, or choosing mid-strength options, the most important thing is intention. Small, consistent choices tend to last longer than dramatic resets.
Everything in moderation, including how we approach moderation itself.
