Dry January, a health experiment by Alcohol Change UK that started back in 2013, has turned into a massive global conversation that results in many people leaving alcohol behind for good.
These days, Dry January has gone far beyond quitting alcohol consumption for a month. Today, it’s an opportunity to check in with ourselves and ask: What is this habit actually doing for me? And what is it costing me?
Dry January Is A Great Experience For The “Sober Curious”
For most, Dry January is a 31-day reset to start the year with a clear head. For Mikaela Funn and Cassi Davis, the duo behind the nonalcoholic wine Propio, it inspired a lifestyle change.
Two years ago, Funn recalls a time when she was “sober curious” and wasn’t focused on absolutes or following strict rules. She was just curious if her life could still feel as fun, social, and sophisticated without alcohol being the centerpiece.
To her surprise, nonalcoholic wine perfectly fit into her ritual to wind down after a long day. “Nonalcoholic wine specifically resonated with me because it followed the existing ritual that I already enjoyed— coming home, preparing a meal, and popping a cork on a perfectly paired beverage,” Funn tells BrownStyle Magazine exclusively.
Like many people navigating sobriety or mindful drinking, Funn explored what the nonalcoholic world had to offer. What she found was fine and functional, but rarely elegant. “There were no options that resonated with my lifestyle, as someone young, social, and living in a big city,” she notes.
Propio: Creating A Non-Alcoholic Wine Brand
Like most successful launch stories, there was a gap in the industry, and both ladies ventured to make a change. Together, the co-founders of Propio reimagined what wine could be when alcohol was no longer the focus.
“We really want to preserve the complexity and flavor profile of wine,” the Spelman College alumni explains. “Many nonalcoholic beverages simply taste like juice, so we wanted to ensure that we were delivering a great-tasting wine equivalent and not a childish alternative.”
The positive response from their growing community affirmed what they sensed early on: people want to drink mindfully without losing joy, rest, and sophistication.
Lessons Learned From Stepping Away From Alcohol
For Funn, one of the most unexpected lessons from stepping away from alcohol wasn’t about discipline or control. It was about being intentional and setting boundaries.
That mindset extends to how she encourages others to approach Dry January (or any intentional pause). Instead of framing Dry January as something to get through, Funn encourages people to start with intention.
“I would start Dry January by being clear on what you want to get out of it— whether that’s healthier habits, mental clarity, or the start of an alcohol-free lifestyle,” Funn encourages.
To Funn, mindful drinking is about awareness, recognizing patterns, preparing for them, and choosing differently without judgment. “I think people should be conscious of the conditions that make them feel inclined to drink,” she shares, noting it is important to pay close attention to the situations that trigger the urge to drink, such as social settings, stress, or end-of-day fatigue.
“Instead of simply removing alcohol from your routine, replace it with something else that’s aligned with the initial intention that you set,” the entrepreneur suggests, adding, “and have a backup plan or beverage on hand to fulfill the urge.”
Sometimes, Dry January ends on February 1st. And sometimes, it changes how you move through the world long after the month is over.
This is such a great convo! I agree with Mikaela. Everything starts with intention. 🙌🏽