Making Friday nights feel different
Reward yourself with the gift of a weekend free from hangovers.

Make it feel like a reward.
Good food. A long shower. A fun drink without the alcohol – give a mocktail a go.

Change the ritual.
Move your body. Call a mate. Listen to music. Shift the start of your weekend without the same pour.

Get curious.
What are you actually looking for? Relief? Celebration? Relaxation? There’s more than one way to get it.
Friday is for celebrating the week you’ve had and the one ahead. The real gift? Choosing what makes you feel better tomorrow as well as tonight.
Cutting back has its rewards. Start shaping weekends that actually restore you — not drain you.
Try designing your ideal night off.
You’re not alone
“Fridays were my ‘tools down’ — a drink to relax. It got to where I couldn’t unwind without it. That sucked.”
Meg, Tuggeranong

Still thinking about it?
Change can feel subtle at first. It might be quiet, but it’s real — here’s what to notice.
Here’s what people often notice first:
- Better sleep. Even just one less can change how you wind down — and how you wake up.
- Less fog. Your brain might feel a bit sharper. Less clunky mid-afternoon.
- More awareness. That moment of “Do I actually want this?” — that’s a shift.
Still not sure? That’s normal too. But you’re not where you were last week.
Cutting back isn’t all-or-nothing — you call the shots. It’s about choosing less when it feels right.
- Set limits. Pick numbers that work for you.
- Pick moments. Choose when to skip, when to say yes.
- Stay flexible. You call the shots.
Cutting back isn’t about perfection. It’s about trying, learning, and adjusting. When nights don’t go to plan, here’s how to reset.
- Reframe. One night doesn’t undo your efforts.
- Reflect. What triggered it?
- Reset. Tomorrow is another choice.
Up next
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Read more: “I’m just taking it easy tonight.”
“I’m just taking it easy tonight.”
A simple line that does a lot of heavy lifting.
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Read more: A few drinks fewer, a lot more energy
A few drinks fewer, a lot more energy
Cut back a little — feel it a lot.
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Read more: Dealing with triggers before they catch you
Dealing with triggers before they catch you
Spot the patterns early and set yourself up to feel good.
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Read more: Dodging drink pressure without awkwardness
Dodging drink pressure without awkwardness
When friends ask, here’s how to keep it light.
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Read more: How to design your own dry(ish) weekend
How to design your own dry(ish) weekend
Plan your weekend so it feels fun — and leaves you clearer.
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Read more: Making Friday nights feel different
Making Friday nights feel different
Reward yourself with the gift of a weekend free from hangovers.
-
Read more: Making new habits that support what you want
Making new habits that support what you want
Adding new routines helps change stick.
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Read more: Refreshing swaps that hit the spot
Refreshing swaps that hit the spot
Swaps work best when they feel like a treat.
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Read more: Soft ways to explain when you’re not sure
Soft ways to explain when you’re not sure
Keep your answer short, true, and easy to say.
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Read more: Tiny wins that stack up fast
Tiny wins that stack up fast
Progress adds up, even when it’s quiet.


