I'm talking, of course, about Dry January, the heavily promoted month of abstinence that has people moaning as though they're going on a trek up Everest or being forced to work in a coal mine for a month rather than – horrors – choosing not to consume alcohol for a few weeks.
That's why I loathe Dry January and don't always trust the motives of those who feel the need to do it We're halfway through the first month of 2025 and the virtue-signalling chatter has already reached an irritating peak.
But frankly, if you feel the need to give up drinking, then do – and if it's a genuine struggle, then perhaps you need to have a serious think about your alcohol consumption in general.
My inbox is full of 'How to get through Dry January' emails from various companies, and social media is awash with special offers from high-end non-alcoholic drinks firms.
One friend even refused to go for supper at a new restaurant last weekend, complaining: 'I'll just want to have a glass of wine.'.
