It’s Fall, Y’all! How sick are you of hearing that? Are you equipped with your pumpkin spice lattes, plaid, and some decorative item that reads “spooky season?” (I admit that I literally have all these things because I am basic.) Fall is fun and exciting because it visually represents change. No inner work needed! See those leaves? They are different colors now. You did it! You made it through another season. Despite the obvious differences in the seasons, Fall is also a time of transition, not just in terms of weather and scenery but also in our own personal journeys. Just as the mornings get brisker, Fall provides an ideal moment to reevaluate our fashion choices. (Because, sheesh, do we need to!) I mean, barbie-core, mermaid-core, and crocs? Can we all agree that some mistakes were made?
With summer passing, this is the time to sift through our closets, rediscover forgotten pieces, and breathe new life into our style. If you are like me and on a budget, it’s also a time to figure out how the hell we are going to make it through the cold seasons without buying an entirely new wardrobe. The great news for you is I am an expert at converting summer dresses and tops into unrecognizable chilly weather fits. (Make sure to check out my IG Reels below!)
In the same vein, Fall presents an opportunity to introspect and reconsider our relationship with alcohol. Like shedding old fashion trends, we can shed unhealthy drinking habits and make choices that promote a healthier, more fulfilling life. As we layer our wardrobes with cozy sweaters and embrace the warm hues of autumn, let’s also layer our lives with positive changes that define a brighter, better future.
Unless you have been living under a rock (and if you have more power to you, you are probably saving so much money), you are aware of the impending monthly alcohol-free challenges. They are all dressed up in their Sunday’s best with rhyming and catchy alliterations that someone, somewhere, thought would make a month of going dry more enticing. And in some cases, they were right. Many of my drinking friends are taking Sober October as a health reset. It is a unique opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery, allowing us to envision who we can be without alcohol in our lives. Regardless of whether we identify as problematic drinkers or not, this month offers a chance to challenge our ingrained habits and societal norms surrounding alcohol consumption.
It’s a month of clarity, where we can take another look at our relationship with this substance and explore alternative ways to connect, unwind, and enjoy life. Through this break from alcohol, we gain a fresh perspective on our potential, proving that we’re not defined by our drinking habits but by our capacity for growth and change.
But let’s talk about the pressure! Like the newest suede Fall booties or fully denim trench coats, monthly challenges like Sober October can be seen as trendy endeavors that often lead to a phenomenon like “Bender November” or even heavier drinking later on. In the same way you look at those horrendous low-rise flare jeans and decide to trash them, many people take what they’ve learned during their dry period and toss it out. This cycle of fluctuating habits raises the question of whether this is rooted in our inherent nature or a reflection of our environment. I never thought I’d compare fast fashion to quick drinking changeups, but here I am. This is real, and I have not only watched it happen but also experienced it myself.
My first sober experience was attempting Sober October, back in 2020. Initially, it felt a little silly, but the farther I got into it, the better I was chugging along. I knew I had the promise of November just around the corner. The commitment was small.
After Halloween (or maybe even on it; it was a holiday, after all), I started drinking again. This was before I took my drinking seriously. Don’t mind me; I was one of those quirky girls doing a health reset—nothing to see here. However, only six months later, I would commit to another alcohol-free month in April. I do not think there is a fun, catchy name for this one except, “Help, I have a problem.” And it stuck. But it stuck because, this time, it wasn’t a trend. It was a life I was trying to face, fix, and live.
The pressures of our social and cultural surroundings can contribute to excessive alcohol (and clothing) consumption during the periods when we’ve abstained. Additionally, the idea of a temporary challenge might not foster sustainable, long-term change in our drinking habits.
To break this cycle, it’s crucial to examine the underlying reasons behind our relationship with trends, whether they stem from societal influences or personal choices, and seek a more balanced, mindful approach to our well-being.
We all want to be that trendy person. The one that enters a room and turns heads. No? Is that just me? Getting dressed to the nines in a little black dress while holding a sophisticated martini glass made me feel on trend. (I hated martinis, by the way.) Maybe sobriety is about learning your own personal trends. What you like, what you hate, what you want people to see you as. And in removing alcohol or your drug of choice, our outfits can be our sources of dopamine in a sustainable yet trendy way.
Let’s Get Reel ????
WALK YOUR TALK: We’ve recently revamped this section of the site. Sober Curator Kate Vitela has passed on the sober stiletto to Sober Curator Harley Skorpenske, who is taking over the Walk Your Talk column. You can follow Kate on her new column YOU’VE BEEN SELECTED.
A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
