Who came up with Dry January anyway? Yes, it makes sense – just about everyone who drinks alcohol needs to ring out their livers following festive fiesta time. It’s just a lot to take on so suddenly, don’t you think?

January hits and all of a sudden you need to stop having fun, create goals and fix all the problems you left behind in 2024. All while battling symptoms of sugar withdrawal.

Congratulations to you if this is your thing.

Here’s an alternative for anyone struggling to come to terms with January.

Let me introduce – Focused February.

While January is about simply coming back to terms with where you are in life, and cutting out the excess – February however, this is when you get to put things into action.

Here’s why:

• You’ve warmed up the idea of being a good person in January, so while you may not have been able to completely eliminate margaritas from your weekly meal plan, you’re mentally prepared for February. It’s the shortest month of the year too – bonus!

• You’ve done your first workout for the year in January, following a festive break. You’ve not been able to walk for a week after that, and you’ve spent another two weeks in physio because of it. February however, your body is prepared for the expectations you have of it.

• If you can get back to work in January – realise all the shit you left behind in 2024 is still there waiting for you – and not have yourself a little Ferrero Roche for breakfast or Friday ‘not so after work’ drinks – I’m impressed. Go easy on yourself, going cold turkey is possibly best saved for Boxing Day.  

• You spent January trying to get rid of bad habits. By February, you realise you haven’t gotten rid of any of them. However, you’ve learnt what doesn’t work and you have the focus of February to try more creative strategies for habit changing.

• Everyone has a different agenda in January, different priorities. As a human species we have trouble relating as we arrive in a whole new year feeling rough around the edges. Connecting with friends in February means more meaningful conversations, sharing the strategies we’re forming for ‘Must-Get-It-Done-March’ and ‘Absolutely-Must-Get-It-Done’ April.

• Focused February is a great term for content creators who are really sick and tired of reading about Dry January. It’s very 2024. Focus February is one step ahead – or one step behind – whichever way you choose to look at it.

As tequila maestro Don Julio González once said, “When you have passion, you have everything.”

Dig up that passion in January, dust it off and ready yourself for February – the month of love, health and maybe one margarita. Cheers (with or without the tequila)!

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* Don Julio González was the founder of Don Julio Tequila, one of the most renowned and premium tequila brands in the world.

*Photo by Josh Calabrese on Unsplash