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Becoming mindful about drinking

If we were going to bring the subjects of mindfulness and alcohol together, what could that look like? What would it mean to become mindful about drinking?

In Club Soda, we talk about mindful drinking to describe an approach to changing your relationship with alcohol that draws on the philosophy and practices of mindfulness.

Let’s be explicit about something. When we talk about mindful drinking, we’re not encouraging you to drink alcohol. Mindfulness does not mean moderation. Rather, we’re encouraging you to become more mindful about everything to do with drinking and not drinking alcohol. Mindful drinking is an attitude and approach that benefits everyone, including people who are going alcohol-free.

Paying attention

Being mindful about drinking is about paying attention to how alcohol affects you, and how it shapes the world around you. If you’re mindful about alcohol, you’ll pay attention to where and when you do and don’t drink, who you do and don’t drink with and what you drink, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. You’ll notice how you feel in those situations. And you will pay attention to the role alcohol plays in your life.

Living with intention

Being mindful about drinking means consciously deciding what kind of relationship you want with alcohol. That can include realising that alcohol can’t be a part of your life, whether that’s just for now or forever.

Living with intention means understanding and respecting your limits, especially if you recognise that limit is zero. You can then make solid plans that address where, when and what you drink, and who you drink with. And living with intention helps you grow in confidence relating to the world just as you are, without the need for a drink in your hand.

And you’ll come to put your past drinking behaviours into a bigger context, by beginning to live the life you imagine and putting alcohol firmly in its place.