so this is what sober looks like

Excuse the title, it's a bit dramatic.

So Sober for October has officially begun. To be honest it seemed like a looooong way off, when we signed up on September 2nd. It may only be Day 2, but that isn't helped by the terrible timing, sports wise. This is of course Ryder Cup Weekend. Not to mention a full calendar of matches in the Guinness Pro 12, Premier League and NFL. I cant help but think June would be a better month!! Now normally we would have been making short work of an assortment of beers and spirits, all enjoyed responsibly of course. Instead the LiquorJunky bar hasn't opened its doors. (Mrs LJ is planning  to use it for a coffee morning apparently) So although we have been thrown in at the deep end, we are managing to stay afloat so far.

31 Days booze free isn't much to ask, when the end goal is beating Cancer! Obviously I am not going to beat the various forms of the Big C by keeping the beer on Ice until November. The money raised by donations and sponsorship will go into research and treatment! Aside from  all that, I have given this some thought and I am looking forward to a good nights sleep, waking refreshed and rested. Lets face it, as much as we love Alcohol, it has its downsides! The Beer Buzz often wears off in the middle of the night, as you crash down to restless sleep and more trips to the toilet than your grandmother! ​

This seems like a strange admission for someone who runs a website entitled LiquorJunky, but I can admit that sometimes I overindulge. Its comforting to reach for the bottle after a long day. Sports, films, even Netflix seems more enjoyable with a bottle of your favourite brew. Moderation is key in this battle.

​​​So, while November 1st is red ringed on the calendar, and beer will be consumed when we hit that magic date, it will be in Moderation. Pouring out the contents of the fridge is a step too far, leaving one or two behind is the way forward.

I intend to change my drinking habits. I am not an Alcoholic by any means, but if I am honest, I could cut back. The plan is to go for quality over quantity. Adopt the European style of consumption. Don't rush to get drunk or achieve that buzz. Sip a cocktail or glass of wine over a number of hours, maybe sip water in between or introduce food and nibbles. I had a dry run at this in September, which gave me the chance to try out several new craft beers. I am going to need something to fill the site through October after all.

If you fancy a change in your consumption, now is the time. You don't have to go Sober for October, but cheers to all those Sober Heroes out there. Only 29 left to go!​​​​