Going Dry: A Workbook
*As featured in The New York Times*
In a world filled with booze, it’s hard to be a non-drinker. Yet more and more people every day are setting down their glasses, pushing away their cocktails, and asking themselves what life would be like with a little less alcohol. Whether you’re pursuing specific health goals, about to start a Dry January or Sober October, or just generally looking to cut back, going dry or damp for any length of time can come with some pretty hefty challenges—and some absolutely amazing benefits. It might be a bumpy ride, but this workbook will help you stay focused, stay the course, and get ready to receive all the good that’s coming your way in a life lived dry.
Going Dry is divided into six chapters, each one focusing on a different aspect of the dry experience, and featuring prompts, exercises, and activities to help you on your journey. The workbook encourages you to:
- Assess your current relationship with alcohol
- Consider how drinking—and not drinking—affects your daily life
- Set short- and long-term goals for your dry experience
- Notice and celebrate the benefits of not drinking as they occur
- Plan ahead for challenges and obstacles you might experience
- Discover new and exciting experiences, hobbies, and pastimes that don’t involve booze
- Reflect on the overall experience of going dry
- Make plans for the future
- And more!
Featuring Hilary’s trademark wit and no-judgment approach, Going Dry meets you where you are, helps you through the hard stuff, and reminds you to pause and soak up the good stuff too (Better sleep! More money! More free time!).
Whether you’re about to start your first dry challenge or just generally looking to reduce your consumption, Going Dry is the perfect companion for anyone needing a little extra support on their sober-curious journey.
Hilary Sheinbaum is a journalist, author, and lifestyle expert who specializes in health/wellness, beauty, travel, weddings, the nonalcoholic/sober-curious space, and more. She is the founder of goingdry.co, a nonalcoholic event and menu curation company. Described by The New York Times as the “Dry January M.V.P,” she is an 8-time Dry January participant and a prominent voice in the sober-curious movement who makes regular appearances promoting the dry lifestyle in such outlets as Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, CBS, Forbes, and many more. Additionally, she regularly travels to other cities to host and coordinate dry events and serve as a keynote speaker. She is the author of The Dry Challenge (Harper Design, 2020) and the co-author of A Journal for Bad Days (2023, Simon Element). Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Bustle, Well + Good, USA Today, Travel + Leisure, Glamour.com, Marie Claire, and more. You can find her at hilarysheinbaum.com and @hilarywritesny.