{"id":9921,"date":"2024-01-25T00:09:19","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T17:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9921"},"modified":"2024-01-25T00:09:19","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T17:09:19","slug":"5-tips-for-mindfully-dating-without-drinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9921","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips for Mindfully Dating Without Drinking"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">W<\/span>hether you\u2019re participating in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dry-january-tips\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dry-january-tips\/\">Dry January<\/a> for the first time, living a sober curious lifestyle, or always abstaining from alcohol: You\u2019ll find that dating without booze is a bit different than imbibing on dates.<\/div>\n<p>The fact is, drinking on dates is often the norm. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/alcohol.org\/guides\/drinking-on-dates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/alcohol.org\/guides\/drinking-on-dates\/\">alcohol.org<\/a>, 86 percent of people drink on a first date. Ironically, though, there are a variety of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/benefits-of-dry-january\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/benefits-of-dry-january\/\">benefits to dry dating<\/a> and meeting potential love interests, short-term flings, or your soulmate without the influence of booze.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile moderate consumption might help to ease nerves and lubricate social interaction, it can also make you less intentional about how you\u2019re showing up and getting to know your date,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/alliewest.coach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/alliewest.coach\">Allie West<\/a>, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker in Jericho, VT. \u201cMy clients who stop drinking report feeling more clear, grounded, confident, energized, and content, which allows them to show up as their best selves on dates and up-level the type of person they hit it off with.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re swiping, sober bar-hopping, or meeting people through friends, here are five tips for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/virtual-date-ideas-without-alcohol\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/virtual-date-ideas-without-alcohol\/\">dating without drinking<\/a>. Carry them with you through the remainder of Dry January\u2014and more importantly, beyond:<\/p>\n<h2>Guidance for mindfully dating without drinking<\/h2>\n<h3><strong><strong>Be Intentional on Dating Apps<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>That familiar wine glass icon on dating profiles\u2014indicating how you imbibe\u2014isn\u2019t new. With that, Dry January is a good time to utilize that symbol and display your abstinence or sober curiosity. (On that same note, pay attention to this section when you\u2019re swiping, as it alludes to how often your potential dates drink. This is an important part of potential dates\u2019 profiles, if you\u2019re looking for someone with a similar lifestyle.)<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline text-h5 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dating-without-drinking\/\" current-title=\"5 Tips for Mindfully Navigating Drinks-Free Dating (Beyond Dry January)\" current-image=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Well-Mess_Feature_-Tips-for-Mindfully-Navigating-Drinks-Free-Dating_feature-425x285_418x278_true_70.webp\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-07-24\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dating-without-drinking\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dating-without-drinking\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dating-without-drinking\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Another way to indicate your beverage preferences is to take up real estate in one of the provided app prompts. Get detailed when answering questions about your \u201cideal date\u201d and include that you\u2019re looking to meet up without alcohol.<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t have the right words for a profile question, once you start a private message, you can describe your current relationship with alcohol. When you are chatting one-on-one, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/damp-january\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/damp-january\/\">you can boldly state your newfound sober-curiosity<\/a>, or your month-long Dry Jan pledge or that you\u2019re a teetotaller.<\/p>\n<p>And, of course, if you meet a potential beau in person: You can tell them you\u2019re not drinking right now, or wait to exchange information.<\/p>\n<h3><strong><strong>Practice Active Listening Skills<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Just as you want someone to hear you and see you for you\u2014it\u2019s important that you do the same. Once you\u2019ve established your boundaries on drinking, listen for a response. Whether you&#8217;re not drinking for a night, a month, or beyond, it&#8217;s important that your date respects your decisions. (Whether or not they participate in a dry month is up to them, but respecting your goals is key!)<\/p>\n<p>Of course, it\u2019s perfectly okay if your date asks questions (showing genuine interest is a good thing!) but if they don\u2019t want to hear what you have to say\u2014or they disregard your feelings\u2014now is the time to hear their lack of understanding loud and clear.<\/p>\n<p>If someone tries to pressure you into having a drink (read \u201cjust have one!\u201d), or balks at your goals from the onset, chances are this isn\u2019t your person. Drinking (and not drinking) is a personal decision. If the person you are on a date with can\u2019t appreciate your resolutions or lifestyle when it comes to abstinence, they might not understand other parts of your life (or goals), either. On to the next!<\/p>\n<h3><strong><strong>Date With Creativity<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>So often \u201cgoing for a drink\u201d is the norm. Next time, instead of sitting with someone over drinks interview-style and asking the same questions: Pick an activity that shows personality. Both you and your date can gain a better understanding of each others\u2019 interests by participating in your favorite pastimes.<\/p>\n<p>Some ideas include art galleries and museums, hiking (if that\u2019s available to you), cooking classes, food tours, and workouts like yoga, HIIT, or cycling.<\/p>\n<p>Not only does dating with creativity get you out of the bar and out of routine drinking-related dates, but it can help you find common ground with each other, too.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Instead of sitting with someone over drinks interview-style and asking the same questions: Pick an activity that shows personality. Both you and your date can gain a better understanding of each others\u2019 interests by participating in your favorite pastimes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3><strong><strong>Try Nonalcoholic Beverages<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Over the past few years, there has been a bevy (pun intended) of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/non-alcoholic-beverage-brands\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/non-alcoholic-beverage-brands\/\">nonalcoholic wines, beers, spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails<\/a>, popping up across the United States and the rest of the world. So, even if you or your date want to check out the neighborhood bar or restaurant, you can both enjoy a tasty and sophisticated drink without booze.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s where a little bit of planning goes a long way: Check the restaurant\u2019s menu in advance to make sure they offer nonalcoholic options on the menu. Or, if you\u2019re in a pinch and don\u2019t have time to take a peek,\u00a0 it\u2019s fully acceptable to ask the server for a nonalcoholic cocktail. Most bartenders can easily whip up a mocktail with common bar ingredients. (And if you have one in mind, definitely share the recipe upon ordering!)<\/p>\n<h3><strong><strong>Note Your Feelings<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Whether you phone a friend, journal about, or use social media to document your dating experiences, it\u2019s important to recognize what you like about your date (and what you don&#8217;t).<\/p>\n<p>Questions to ask yourself include if you felt comfortable in their presence, if you felt pressured to drink, if you have common interests, and if you want to see them again.<\/p>\n<p>Because you aren\u2019t drinking: you won&#8217;t be missing any red flags due to beer goggles. And, you\u2019ll likely have a clear idea of why you do or don\u2019t see yourself continuing to spend time with this person. In addition, without booze, you won\u2019t be bogged down by thoughts of potentially misinterpreting words or actions on dates.<\/p>\n<p>The best part in all of this? Any sparks you feel will be real\u2014not induced by alcohol whatsoever.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/hilarywritesny\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/hilarywritesny\/\">Hilary Sheinbaum<\/a> is the author of <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDry-Challenge-January-October-Alcohol-Free%2Fdp%2F0062937707%3Ftag%3Dwgtrx12140-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fdating-without-drinking%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fdating-without-drinking%2F&amp;event_type=click\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Dry-Challenge-January-October-Alcohol-Free\/dp\/0062937707\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Dry-Challenge-January-October-Alcohol-Free\/dp\/0062937707?tag=wgtrx12140-20&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fdating-without-drinking%2F&amp;asc_source=direct&amp;asc_campaign=no-campaign\"><em>The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month<\/em><\/a> and the founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/goingdry.co\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/goingdry.co\">goingdry.co<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimers__after_content mb-[18px] mt-[16px] pt-[16px]\">\n<div class=\"relative mt-[8px] pt-[10px] pl-[0px]\">\n<p>\n            Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async defer src=\"https:\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re participating in Dry January for the first time, living a sober curious lifestyle, or always abstaining from alcohol: You\u2019ll find that dating without booze is a bit different than imbibing on dates. The fact is, drinking on dates is often the norm. According to alcohol.org, 86 percent of people drink on a first &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9922,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9921","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9921","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9921"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9921\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9922"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}