My last sip of alcohol was a Pumpkin Spice beer from one of my favorite microbreweries.  I loved pumpkin beer as much as normal people love pumpkin spice lattes.  I can remember the feeling of excitement I’d get when I  walked into the grocery and saw the display of pumpkin beers!  It was the first sign of fall which meant all things cozy.

“All things cozy” for me was drinking dark beers or red wine at home in my pajamas.  The problem was that those dark beers and that red wine were pretty high in ABV and would make me drunk way faster than my session IPA’s or light lagers of summer.  But after years of training my hand to bring that drink to my mouth, I could never really learn how to slow down the physical behavior of drinking.  So the higher the ABV didn’t mean fewer drinks, it just meant worse hangovers.

Summer, Winter, Fall, Spring, and each holiday along the way all had their own shopping cart full of nostalgia.  With each season came a ritual of things I liked to do while drinking.  In October, it was trick or treating with the kids as I carried my red solo cup down the street, drinking fall beers at Oktoberfests, and switching over to red wine.  Nothing was better than facing the cool, fresh air with a heavy, filling, and depressing dark drink that made me feel light-headed and tipsy after my first sip (and blacked out soon after).

Despite my fear that I could never ever enjoy fall again without my pumpkin beer, I still get excited at the change of seasons. It turns out that fall is a great time to stop drinking.  There are so many other drink options and ways to keep your hands busy while others are drinking.

  Here are some of my favorite tips for being sober in fall.

• Pick up a new drink.  With the change in seasons, there is no need to try to cool down with a cold one.  Instead, try warming your soul with a new hot drink.  I started drinking tea right away especially in the evenings to replace that behavior of having something in my hand when 5 o’clock rolled around.  Chamomile, chai lattes, lavender teas, matcha lattes, and of course the beloved pumpkin spice everything is the perfect addition to your hand in the evenings, at the pumpkin farm, on the trick or treat walk, and at the festival.

• Go for a happy hour walk.  Finally, with the heat gone, it’s time to go back outside.  There is nothing better than getting in a walk to watch the leaves change, take in nature, and be outside during this beautiful season.  Listen to a podcast, listen to the birds, or listen to the sound of your body healing itself from the alcohol.  You might be shocked how much you’re able to notice things now that the alcohol isn’t screaming for more.  It’s a big, beautiful world out there, and now is the perfect time to take note.

• Start cooking.  With tailgates, parties, and holidays all around the corner, you might find yourself in need of something to do now that you are no longer standing around drinking.  This is the perfect time to pick up a new skill in cooking. You can be the master of the grill at the tailgate or spend your time whipping up yummy treats for your guests while you watch the game.  This is the season for all things soup, stews, braising, and baking.  Find that recipe that you have always loved and learn how to make it to perfection!

• Make a mocktail. So much of our drinking habit is about the ritual.  We love the glasses, the sound of the ice hitting the bottom of the tumblr, the way the wine pours so delicately into the well.  It brings a sense of comfort and calm to engage in those same behaviors.  So, try out a new concoction sans the alcohol.  Get those nice ingredients and whip up something that is delicious and festive.  You can find sophisticated recipes at The Mocktail Project and Marnie Ray.  So give it a try and enjoy!

When I first stopped drinking in the fall of 2017 I had to learn to change my mindset from “I don’t get to drink” to “I don’t have to drink.”  It took some time but once I did the work and replaced my bad habits with different and exciting habits I created new pathways for my brain. I still love the onset of fall!  But now, instead of flooding my mind with images of bottles and glasses-it’s more mugs, sweaters, and no regrets…

Happy Fall, Y’all (sorry, had to add that because, well, Kentucky)!