No Wine-ing
It must have been late July or early August when I came across a tweet that piqued my interest. The Happy Mentality Blog had created a 30-day Mental Health Challenge that felt like the perfect way to recharge and re-energize myself in the midst of trying to balance a full-time job and a burgeoning blog. There was one recommended option for the #MHChallenge that gave me pause.
No alcohol.
I was two weeks away from vacation, so…challenge delayed. But still accepted. I wanted to enjoy some (read – a LOT) of wine during my time off.
I was super into the idea of the Challenge…gung-ho even (I don’t think I have ever actually written the term “gung-ho” before but let’s just go with it, shall we?) Ri (of Happy Mentality) had a calendar listing out all of the things she was going to do over the course of her 30 days. She had written down a mix of activities to soothe her mind, body, and spirit as you can see below.
You know what I have done?
Well…not a LOT. I never got around to putting together a calendar. It just didn’t seem quite right to copy the lovely Ri completely. I’ve written a couple of passages in my journal. And from a physical standpoint, I’ve gone a couple of bike rides and a couple of walks. I DID kick-off my thirty days with my first ever juice cleanse which I want to do again (didn’t see that one coming!)
“I Survived the Juice Cleansing of 2018” Please send me a t-shirt.
BUT…
I have been wine-free for eighteen days as I type this post out. For someone that has “Chardonnay” as part of their blog name…that’s a pretty big deal. Okay…you might not think it is too hard, but let me submit some evidence, readers/counselors.
I like wine. I like wine a lot.
A few friends and colleagues have given me the RCA-dog look when I mention that I am not drinking for thirty days. You know the look. It’s the one where someone’s head turns on its axis, the mouth hangs slightly agape, and eyes bulge. I guess I could have used the word “incredulous” but where is the fun in that?
I’ve heard “why would you do that?” and “why not go alcohol-free in February? IT ONLY HAS TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS!!!”
My answers? “The timing felt right to me NOW.” and “My birthday is in February, so that’s the WORST month to do this. Especially now that my age keeps creeping closer and closer to the AARP line.”
And yes…I know I am missing the latter part of the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival until September 22nd. Not that I am counting the days or anything…
Being wine-free has been pretty stupendous (Grammarly is tired of the word “great”). My sleep is some of the best I have had in a really long time. My wallet is grateful (wine is EXPENSIVE). And I’ve enjoyed a few mocktails along the way.
And while I am home, most nights I play “mixologist.” Watermelon juice with seltzer and lime is super yum. Replace the watermelon with cranberry juice, and you’ve got a tart, little libation.
My thirty days is nearly over. Although I didn’t do the #MHChallenge true justice, I’m pleased with how I feel and what I have accomplished. I’ll find a point early next year to focus my energies on thirty days to improve my mental and physical self in the true spirit of the challenge. In the meantime…no Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for this kid.
Have you ever participated in a 30-day challenge of any kind before? I’ve tried the squats and sit-up challenges and always, always throw in the proverbial towel. I am going to consider this challenge a success, but I’m looking forward to doing the full Mental Health Challenge in 2019. Who’s with me?
Work Hard. Play Hard. Drink Chard…on the 22nd!!
Laurie
37 Comments
Kelly Berryman
I am not ready for the No Wine, Some Play and No Chardonnay re-brand. Enjoy the remaining time in your challenge. Ohm!
lauriegannon1
I’m not ready for that, either! I shall downward facing dog into a nice glass of wine soon! Ohm.!
Corinne 🍂 (@WhatCorinneDid)
I have never taken part into a 30 day challenge before no but that is definitely something i would want to try!
nancy_ycnan
Thank you very much for such useful information! I feel that I shall be get a wine now!
Kumamonjeng
I have never done any 30 days challenge before and yours sound so fun and inspired me to participate in some sort of challenge too. May be 3 days water fasting challenge.
Aditya
I can easily win this as I never had wine or any kind of alcohol. I can do 30 days without apple juice as it is my to go drink all the time. What do you think about it?
lauriegannon1
You win!!! I like apple juice, but LOVE apple cider. It’s just the time of year to have a really good, crisp glass of cider. Yum!
dreamtravelamerica
I am not a wine drinker, but this sounds very promising for the people who do. I wish you lots of success with this challenge.
Sarah Bailey
Woooo well done on completing your challenge! I don’t drink at all – which a lot of people find strange not sure why? So I couldn’t take part in this challenge as well it isn’t a challenge for me, but I would love to try something else.. Perhaps no chocolate? That would be HARD!
lauriegannon1
I don’t find people that don’t drink strange at all. I get more surprised by people that don’t drink coffee. Not having chocolate for 30 days would be quite the feat!! I think my next challenge would be no french fries. I love them so…
Melissa
I don’t drink at all ever. Those nacho/waffle fry things look amazing no matter what you are drinking.
lauriegannon1
Watchos pair with everything. Agreed!
Tara Pittman (@momknowsbest15)
This would be me with coffee. I would have a hard time giving up the taste of coffee.
lauriegannon1
I love the taste and ritual of coffee in the morning. There’s just something about a mug of coffee to help get the cobwebs out of the brain (usually).
Joan
This is great but I know I would totally fail, I am also into wine like really into my wine so that would really be so difficult for me.
lauriegannon1
I am pretty surprised that I have made it through unscathed (I’m on day 19). I have some wine events coming up. I’m not going to say I’m going to make up for lost wine but…
Amber
I actually don’t like wine, so not drinking it would be easy for me. These cocktails look tasty though. I’ve never done a challenge. Life is short. Not sense denying stuff I like to consume!
Scott Gombar
I don’t drink and neither does my wife. That makes this easy for us. Our 30 day challenge is to cut out fried foods. We don’t eat a lot (well I don’t) but we still need to cut it down.
lauriegannon1
I would have a hard time cutting out french fries and potato chips. I love crunchy and salty items. I love them a little too much.
shirleydehmtharp
I’ve never participated in a 30 day challenge before. Maybe I should re-think that! Thanks for sharing.
lauriegannon1
I’ve tried a couple different kinds but typically aborted the mission after the first week. I modified this challenge slightly. I’m happily still in it. But not to win it. There’s no prize. 🙂
Kamapala Chukwuka (@kamapala_C)
Haha, well done girl! I tried doing a 30 day no complaining challenge once, didn’t last long 🙂 So instead, I flipped it and did a gratitude challenge and was quite impressed what how grateful I am as a person when I’m not complaining :))
liveloveandadventure
I love wine….but every once in awhile take a wine “time out”. I’m not sure if it has lasted 30 days but find that I feel noticeably better after a week. I like white wines that have a lot of sugar so the sugar detox is good. But of course I find my way back after awhile and open a bottle….then another….
Brittany
Reading this as I drink wine….woops! I went 1 year without it during pregnancy…so I’m enjoying a bit during motherhood. HA This is a great and encouraging post though. Thanks of sharing
Dalene Ekirapa
It’s so unfortunate that I have never completed any 30-day challenge; I was to do one on going animal-meat-free and it was impossible!Ha-ha! Anyway, it’s nice to see that you are getting through with yours. That’s awesome!
Vaibhav Mehta
I dont know if I could take up that challenge. However it would have been good if I could zoom in on that challenge picture..tried but didn’t see anything
lavieenmay
Wow, I honestly don’t think I could do a no wine/alcohol challenge. Sometimes, a girl just needs a drink! I can’t believe you’re doing a juice cleanse to. That’s another thing I can’t do – I’m still hungry after having a juice, it doesn’t fill me up at all.
Hey Sharonoox
I don’t drink so do you think I might win the challenge! That nachos and waffle looks so good it makes me drool. Yummy!
lauriegannon1
You win! I am almost close to winning. I have 9 more days! The Watchos were sooo good!
Nicole
The food looked so good! I only drink wine every once in a while, I’m not a big drinker. I could probably take this challenge on too! Thanks for sharing!
lauriegannon1
Hi, Nicole! The challenge has been great. I only have 7 days left. I think I might do it again early in 2019. But I might do the full challenge with an actual game plan. 🙂
Happy Mentality
So proud of you for getting this far in the 30 day Challenge! It’s not easy. Your juices look amazing!
lauriegannon1
Thank you, Ri!! Only six days left to go! The juices were so good! I want to do another day of juice cleansing in the near future. Thank you for the challenge inspo!!! 😀
Insecure Housewife
Great job giving this 30 day challenge a try. Even though you didn’t stick to the exact challenge, it’s still good. I did a 30-day fitness challenge back in July and it was challenging at first but overall I enjoyed it.
lauriegannon1
Hi, Sarah!! Thank you! I am now on day 27. The finish line (and a glass of Chard) is in my sight! What type of fitness challenge did you complete (and congratulations!!)? I have been HORRIBLE at completing fitness challenges.
Ritesh Pathak
That was nicely brought out….
Also read mine…
https://auntknow.com/benefits-of-drinking-alcohol/
Hairstyles Women
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