We get it—the holiday season can be rough. And also, wine is delicious. But there’s a fine line between enjoying a glass and turning your life into an episode of Real Housewives. Here are 10 signs you might be drinking too much wine—and tips on when to maybe swap that Pinot for a Perrier:
You Know the Store Clerk by Name
Sure, building relationships is great, but if the wine shop employee knows your order before you even step inside, it’s a sign you’ve been frequenting the aisles a little too often. Why don’t you try to switch things up? Instead of going for a bottle of wine, try a tea shop or smoothie bar to strengthen good habits (and make new connections).
You Call It “Mom Juice” (Even if You’re Not a Mom)
When your go-to joke involves calling wine a necessity for survival, it might be time to reassess. Self-care isn’t just sipping Merlot while rewatching Bridgerton—it’s also about hydration, sleep, and balance. Get creative with your downtime. Swap the glass for a hobby you’ve been neglecting—painting, yoga, or baking, perhaps?
You Have a Glass Before Dealing With Annoying People
We all have that one coworker, neighbor, or family member who tests our patience. But if your first instinct is to pour a glass to “brace yourself,” it’s a sign you might be leaning on wine a little too much as a coping mechanism. Build other stress-coping tools like journaling, deep breathing, or even a solid group chat rant with friends.
Your Recycling Bin Looks Like a Vineyard Dumpster
If every garbage day feels like you’re revealing just how much vino you’ve consumed, you might need to take a step back. Try setting limits for yourself to keep things nice and mindful. Demure, even. For example, try only enjoying your wine on weekends or with friends. When it comes to holiday gatherings, give yourself a wine glass limit and balance it out with water. Or go for nice mocktails!
Your Wine Glass Is the Size of a Fishbowl
Let’s get technical for a sec: a standard pour is about 5 ounces. If you’re pouring yourself a “glass” that could drown a small goldfish, it could be time to scale it back just a tad. That’s easy enough, just switch to a smaller glass and enjoy sipping your wine. This will help you with portion control and you won’t miss out on your favorite drink.
“It’s Healthy, Right?” Is Your Go-To Justification
Red wine has antioxidants—true. But drinking more than is healthy isn’t exactly doctor-recommended. So, yes, wine can be good for you, but only in moderation. If you want to maintain your health, focus on habits like eating antioxidant-rich foods (hello, berries!), drinking more water, etc.
You’ve Got Multiple Wine Subscription Boxes
If your idea of treating yourself involves multiple wine deliveries every month, it could be time to reassess. You don’t actually need multiple wine subscription boxes, so identify your favorite one and stick to that. Alternatively, you could try different subscription boxes every other month so you can discover new wines, but there’s no reason to have more than one subscription at a time.
Wine O’Clock Happens at 2 PM
Day drinking can be fun for a brunch here or a celebration there, but if it’s becoming a regular afternoon ritual, that’s a slippery slope. Try coffee, tea, or flavored water during the day instead, and leave your glass of wine for your nightly unwind session and special occasions.
You Can't Remember the Last Time You Didn’t Have Wine with Dinner
Sure, wine and food are a match made in heaven, but if it’s become as routine as brushing your teeth, you might be in over your head. Challenge yourself to pair meals with creative non-alcoholic drinks. Think sparkling water with lime or a refreshing mocktail, you can’t go wrong with that.
You’re the “Wine Friend” in the Group
If every gift you receive is wine-themed—shirts, glasses, corkscrews—it’s a strong sign that your love of vino is your entire personality. It’s always good to diversify a little, you know? Find new interests that don’t involve alcohol and find ways to dial down your over-reliance on wine.
Drinking wine is one of life’s simple pleasures, but balance is key. If you see yourself in more than a few of these signs, it might be time to cut back a little. Remember, life is all about moderation—cheers to that!