Instead of submitting to 31 days of self-imposed penance, marked by abstinence and self-reproach, they begin the year by eating copious amounts of cake. In France, the idea of a month of repentance is met with a resounding “non”. This difference becomes most apparent when the conversation turns to resolutions, and specifically to Dry January. Despite growing awareness, particularly among younger and urban demographics, Dry January has never taken off in France in quite the same way. Living in France for the past two and half years has really recalibrated my own instincts around self-improvement.

Source: Irish Examiner January 02, 2026 07:30 UTC