Ah, Sober October—the one month of the year when you actually remember your weekend plans, don’t “accidentally” text your ex, and wake up feeling like a functioning adult instead of a bag of shit. Sound too good to be true? Well, Sober October is here to save you from the clutches of bottomless brunches, questionable behavior, and that weird bar that always has Christmas lights up.
For the uninitiated, Sober October is the perfect excuse to give your liver a break, take control of your social life, and finally prove to your friends that, yes, you can be fun without a drink in hand. Think of it as a detox, but with less green juice and more opportunities to remember all the details from Friday night.
Why Go Sober in October?
- Because Regret-Free Texts Are Underrated
No more waking up with that dreaded “what did I say?” feeling. Instead, you can revel in the joy of sending coherent messages. Imagine texting your crush and not needing to draft an apology the next morning. Revolutionary. - A Month of Free Time You Didn’t Know You Had
Without booze, you’ll realize just how long weekends actually are. Who knew Saturday had so many hours? With all this extra time, you might even consider tackling those hobbies you’ve been avoiding, like knitting, or, you know, going to bed at a decent hour. - Clear Skin, Clear Mind, Clear Calendar
Alcohol isn’t exactly skincare-friendly, so watch as your skin glows like you’ve bathed in unicorn blood. Plus, your mind will be sharper, and you’ll suddenly have a calendar full of plans you may actually want to attend—because let’s face it, sober you doesn’t sign up for pumpkin carving with coworkers you barely know. - Your Wallet Will Thank You
All those happy hours and fancy cocktails add up fast. In fact, your bank account might be the only one happier than you by the end of this month. Take this as a chance to save for something you actually want, and didn’t just order off Amazon in a blackout.
How to Survive (and Maybe Even Enjoy) Sober October
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages Are Your Best Friend: Not only is the mocktail game strong these days, but it’s also a great way to avoid the “Wait, why aren’t you drinking?” interrogation at parties. Sip on something fancy, and no one will be the wiser.
- Discover the Magic of Late-Night Pizza Sober: Late-night pizza tastes just as amazing when you’re sober—maybe even better because you won’t be waking up at 3 AM to down a gallon of water.
- Get Creative with Social Activities: Sober October is the perfect time to try out activities that don’t revolve around alcohol. Go hiking, carve a pumpkin, or dive into a new Netflix series. There are so many fun things to do that do not require alcohol.
What’s Next
If you’re worried that going sober for 31 days means 31 days of boredom, think again. Sober October is all about reclaiming your time, health, and energy—without the hangovers. Plus, it’s only a month. Worst-case scenario? You may lose some bloat, save some money and have bragging rights that you took a month off the sauce. It’s a great challenge for the sober curious, too.
Best-case scenario? You emerge with glowing skin, a clearer mind, a fatter wallet, and the knowledge that you can survive a night out without tequila shots. You might even find that sober life has a few perks you never expected.
So, pour yourself a sparkling water, toast to good decisions, and let the month-long sober adventure begin!
Laura is co-creator and writer at The Wagon. She’s written for Newsday, ran a marathon and fallen off bar stools. At 2+ years sober, she currently lives on Long Island, NY with her husband and little dog.
