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Drinking behavior relies on a habit loop, not just desire for alcohol itself.

Removing alcohol without replacing the ritual and reward can make quitting harder.

The Chinese concept “yí shì gǎn” can replace drinking with intentional ritual.

“Everything feels meh without alcohol.”

Clients often tell me this.

Feeling that life lacks spark and excitement is one common struggle in sobriety. Many clients would tell me, not without embarrassment, that they gave in to the desire to pour themselves a glass of wine over the weekend, just to make things special again.

That’s when I’d introduce them to the Chinese concept called “yí shì gǎn” (仪式感). It literally translates to "a sense of ritual" and means intentionally adding meaning and presence to ordinary moments, making them feel like a special occasion. By adopting this Chinese concept, I help my clients shift from simply trying to remove old drinking behavior to replacing it with a new experience.

Understand the Automatic Loop

When we first quit or cut down on drinking, many of us make the mistake of simply trying to remove alcohol. Little do we realize that to remove without replacing almost guarantees that we'll have to........

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