I almost died the last time I drank - I also was home and alone. No one would've known....that sadly wasn't uncommon for me.....I was more a home drinker.
I woke up by some divine intervention and while I experienced things I never had before....well I tossed the booze then and there and got into recovery and will never sip nor drink alcohol again. That is my bag and its how I changed me and my life. Nothing like waking up and loving who you see that mirror.....been a long time overdue
Now the calendar thing? For me it is smoke and mirrors. I tried countless times to do it and you know what happened? 10 years of drinking and most of it was hardcore.
Quitting in the here and now is the best thing in my experience. Don't wait for a date or a sign. Alcoholics play russian roulette my friend.....I sure as heck did.