Last Updated on December 17, 2025
When you’re trying to cut back on alcohol, it’s easy to focus on quantitative stuff, like the number of drinks you have in a night or the number of dry days you track in a row.
However, it’s also essential to consider how you feel and check in with yourself about your emotions when a decision arises. When you’re deciding whether to have a drink, take a moment to ask yourself: Does this choice align with who I want to be?
This question can have a big impact on your relationship with alcohol. Why? It’ll make you think, Why do I drink in the first place?
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“Why” Matters More Than “How Much”
Lasting change starts when we interrogate our own motivations. For example, when you pour yourself a glass of wine on a weekend afternoon, are you doing it because you truly enjoy the ritual, or are you just going through the motions?
This interrogation helps you shift your focus from external rules to internal alignment. When your goals and behaviors align with your personal values, you’re more likely to stay consistent and feel fulfilled. After all, you’re making choices in pursuit of a goal that’s truly important to you.
Identifying “Aligned” Vs. “Not Aligned” Drinking
Try this simple exercise, which involves making two lists:
- Create an “aligned” list. Jot down a few situations where drinking would align with your values. This could be trying a special cocktail on vacation, for instance, or enjoying a glass of wine during a catch-up with a friend.
- Create a “not aligned” list. Next, record a few situations in which drinking would not feel aligned with your values. This might include drinking by yourself, drinking to kill time, keeping up with others at a party, or using alcohol as a crutch for stress at the end of the day.
- Reflect on both lists as needed. Next time you’re deciding whether to have a drink, think back to your two lists. Which list would your current situation fall under? Give it some real thought. This pause to think can help you make a choice that aligns with your values.
The Power of Internal Motivations
This mindset shift helps you focus on your own internal motivations. Instead of external pressure (“I should drink less”), you’re asking, “Why do I drink, and why do I want to drink less?” By extension, you’re also asking “What kind of life do I want to create?”
External motivators like guilt or comparison are unlikely to stick, at least not for long. Internal motivators, contrastingly, are tied to personal values, which help foster a sense of ownership and pride. That’s why asking, Does this decision align with who I want to be right now? can work better than restrictive rules.
When you consistently prioritize the life you want to live, moderation becomes more natural. Get started on your mindful drinking journey with a 15-day free trial of Sunnyside.
More about Sunnyside and Naltrexone
Sunnyside is a holistic program to help you build a healthier relationship with alcohol, using a proven, science-backed method. Whether you want to become a more mindful drinker, drink less, or eventually quit drinking, Sunnyside can help you reach your goals. We take a positive, friendly approach to habit change, so you never feel judged or pressured to quit.
When you join Sunnyside, you’ll start by completing a 3-minute private assessment so we can learn a bit about you. Once that’s done, you’ll get a 15-day free trial to test out everything, including our daily habit change tools, tracking and analytics, community and coaching, and education and resources. It’s a full package designed specifically to adapt to your goals and help you reach them gradually, so you can make a huge impact on your health and well-being.
In addition, Sunnyside Med now offers access to compounded naltrexone, a prescription medication that can reduce cravings and binge drinking, giving you the peace of mind to make long-term change.
Get your 15-day free trial of Sunnyside today, and start living your healthiest life.
