How has January been for you?
It seems like this year lots of people have been experimenting with sobriety and Dry January
This got me thinking about something I think can bring us all some Mental Sunshine.
Quite often when we think about not drinking, we think of all the fun we might miss out on.
All the parties, the drunken evenings in the pub, the glass of wine at the end of the evening.
But I saw a meme recently that really appealed to me – the Joy of missing out!
That might be the joy of missing out on a hangover because you’re doing Dry January or have perhaps given up drinking
Of course, it could be nothing to do with alcohol.
And just the joy of missing out on attending something that could be really good – but could also be quite tedious or uncomfortable
Or it might be the joy of missing out on a late night, having to come home in the dark, wet and windy weather we’ve had lately.
The joy of missing out on having to wear smart clothes and make polite conversation
Perhaps the joy of missing out on anything that takes you away from a nice cosy evening in with someone you love
I’m not saying we should all become hermits and never socialise again –
I’m a firm believer that humans need connection with each other in order to thrive.
But we also don’t need to attend every event, every party, every talk at the local library!
Let’s all normalise the idea of saying “that sounds nice, but not for me – thanks anyway!”
We don’t need to attend every single thing.
And we also don’t need to have “other plans” or a cast iron excuse for not attending.
Our other plans can be spending time with loved ones
Or spending time alone, reading a book or watching a great TV show.
It’s ok to just not go.
And it’s definitely ok to feel the joy of missing out!