Holiday parties, family tables, and New Year countdowns can feel like a maze when you’re choosing not to drink. We open up about what actually helps: the tiny moves that protect your peace, the scripts that end awkward pressure, and the plans that turn a long season into something you might finally enjoy. From the first work do to Boxing Day, we unpack real moments—food truck delays, sugar swaps, old triggers—and show how a simple plan can keep you grounded, social, and home safe.
We start with work parties, where moderation myths collide with empty stomachs and top-ups. Our go-to strategy: drink in hand from the start, eat early when possible, and lean on activities that shift attention from pouring to playing. Curiosity becomes a superpower; when you notice that “first glass” glow in others without chasing it yourself, you claim back the night. Moving to Christmas Day, we offer a festive non-alcoholic punch, BYO boundaries, and the power of hosting to stay busy, connected, and clear. Games, swimming, backyard cricket—giving the day a rhythm makes it easier to say no without feeling left out.
We also dig into the deeper stuff: family friction, the pull of old rituals, and the quiet pride of waking up clear. There’s hard-won honesty here—the years we drank through the good parts, the meals we skipped, the mess we woke to—and the relief of doing it differently now. Looking ahead, we talk New Year’s Eve without the pressure to perform, setting intentions instead of brittle resolutions, and the structure of Dry January with coaching, community, and momentum that lasts past January 1. If you’re alcohol-free curious or protecting a hard-won streak, you’ll find tools you can use tonight.
Ready to design a calmer, happier holiday season? Hit play, grab an AF drink, and plan your best December yet. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review—your words help more people find a clear path through the holidays.
Meg's Dry January - FORWARD TOGETHER
https://www.elizaparkinson.com/forwardtogether
Contact Us:
https://www.meganwebb.com.au/podcast-1
Ali
insta: https://www.instagram.com/idontdrinkfullstop/
Meg
website: https://www.meganwebb.com.au/
insta: https://www.instagram.com/meganwebbcoaching/
bookclub: https://www.alcoholfreedom.com.au/unwinedbookclub
Connect AF: https://www.elizaparkinson.com/groupcoaching
