Well, first we must know why we struggle with this in the first place.
The No.1 reason why people struggle to drink in moderation is because…
They believe alcohol is the problem.
And if we continue to focus on alcohol being the issue, we’ll continue to drink more than we’d like.
At DLFF, we really do believe alcohol-related problems should always, and I mean always, be looked at through the lense of context.
Rather than focusing on alcohol as the issue, we must look to the context in which alcohol is playing a role.
Which is why I am personally (Tom Cartwright) such a big fan of alcohol reduction and drinking in moderation.
Moderation meaning – Enjoy the fruits of life without overindulging to the extent you feel the painful consequences.
Moderation, with anything in life, is the fine line of experiencing pleasure but then letting the resource go, just before it can cause you pain.
Is it just me or is that a pretty cool & clear definition for moderation? Here it is one more time.
Moderation, with anything in life, is the fine line of experiencing pleasure but then letting the resource go, just before it can cause you pain.
And it can be applied to almost anything we consume. Especially at this time of year.
- Chocolate
- Food in general
- Alcohol
- Holidays (You know when you’re taking a short break from work and then delay getting back into it to the extent you start feeling anxious or worried)
- Work
- Time with certain people (We all know we should exit our time with someone leaving us wanting more rather than overdoing it and building resentment towards the person haha – This is a big one during Xmas)
If you’re experiencing, negative consequences from the thing you’re partaking in, you might just be overindulging.
The key is not to ask,
“Why do I keep overindulging in this thing”
The question to ask is,
“What am I not enjoying/disliking so much, that I have the need to overindulge and cause myself pain?”
When we become aware of the context in which alcohol is playing its role, we can switch off our laser focus towards alcohol and remind ourselves of the bigger picture.
So, I urge you, from a place of deep passion and trust, give yourself a break from any pressures you have around alcohol and remind yourself of the bigger picture.
Life is to be lived and enjoyed.
Don’t use your alcohol intake as an excuse to cause yourself pain.
You simply don’t deserve it.
This time of year, is a time for you to look at the bigger picture and ask yourself “How do I want to experience the festive season?”
And that is my question to you today.
“How do I want to experience the festive season?”
Happy holidays DLFF family 🙂
Tom & Nat