If this sounds familiar, youre not alone.
Its perfectly okay to want to drink and be social while creating some boundaries at the same time.
SELF spoke to six women who have been able to do just that.
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Some of them dont drink at all, and some drink moderately, according to their own preference.
Heres what worked for them.
(Its important to note that the following tips are not designed to help with alcohol addiction.
Be honest about why you want to drink less.
Before you might set boundaries around alcohol, its helpful to understand why youre currently drinking it.
She tried to moderate her drinking several times before she finally gave it up completely over two years ago.
Intentionality is feeling like this is a choice that I am making for myself, she says.
Im not doing it for anyone elseits from a place of self-empowerment.
Draw boundaries that make sense for you.
If the goals you set for yourself arent working, then venture to do something that feels easier.
Maybe you decide to have only one drink on weeknights.
From there, you’re free to build up to more ambitious goals.
Melanie Cox, 47, created a list of guidelines around alcohol that she loosely follows.
But she doesnt always abide by theseand doesnt feel guilty when that happens.
I realized the impact that alcohol was having on my sleep and on my energy, Sheinbaum tells SELF.
(She even wrote a book,The Dry Challenge, about her experiences.)
Sheinbaum never decided to abstain completely, but she is less interested in drinking now.
Most of the time it just doesnt occur to me anymore, she says.
Share your boundaries with others if youre comfortable doing so.
There will probably be times when people question why you arent drinking.
In her experience, people react well to her high-energy response and usually dont push the issue.
Castle Garcia tells SELF.
Get creative with how you spend your time.
A lot of social eventshappy hour, dinner, partiesinvolve drinking alcohol.
I never used to do stuff like that, she says.
This approach works for Sheinbaum as well.
Her favorite nondrinking activity is going for a walk with her friends or her husband.
Thats been wonderful, she tells SELF.
Find joy in nonalcoholic drinks.
Plus, many places have upped their game and offer nonalcoholic wine, beer, and evenmocktails.
Consider making some nondrinking friends.
Instead of going to a bar, they go out for lunch or workout together.
We have women from all over the country join, Sprague says of Dry Together.
And remember your nondrinking friends dont necessarily have to come from outside your inner circle.
Some of your current pals could be down to do other things!
