What does it feel like at 2 years alcohol-free?
If you tried to tell me two years ago that I’d be living a fulfilled and joyful life *without* cocktails or wine… I flat out would NOT have believed you.
Back then, I was a daily drinker and taking even just a single day off made me feel like I was missing out. 🎟️ An evening without wine was a ticket to bummer town.
When I started all of this, I just wanted to take a break. Give my liver a rest. ⛑️ Maybe pick up a few new tools for self care. But then…
What does drinking have to do with how we see the world?
This is a game-changer, folks. 🙌 Not an easy switch to flip, but one that leads directly down a path towards happiness & peace.
Our definitions of ourselves and others can be complex and, honestly, somewhat *habitual* 👉 Meaning: they become fixed. set. expected. “knee-jerk”
BUT. Here’s the kicker:
Why does it feel like I’m one person in the morning, but a DIFFERENT PERSON by happy hour?
This is a real question from one of my clients:
“When it comes to drinking: Why does it feel like I’m one person in the morning, but a DIFFERENT PERSON by the time happy hour rolls around?”
This is a common sentiment among my clients, and something I experienced *myself*...
Spoiler alert: The answer has *nothing* to do with self-control! 🙌
Buck the Stigma! It’s just nonsense, anyway.
It means *so much* to me to get this feedback from my wonderful client, Linda. 🥰
Bucking the STIGMA out there that causes so many of us to feel shame is my #1 REASON for becoming a coach! It’s why I’m out here, shouting my story from the rooftops. 🙌
Because stigma & shame held me back for years… and that narrative is TOTAL. NONSENSE.
You’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience.
If you’re tired of trying and *failing* to cut back on your drinking, please know: 💗 You are not alone.
Drinking alcohol isn’t like other habits or hobbies… the chemical-chain-reaction from booze actually hacks into your body’s natural survival system! It messes with your hard-wiring. 🧠
If you’ve tried to cut back, take a break, or even quit…
Do you have a drinking problem? NO! You just have a THINKING problem…
You don’t have a DRINKING PROBLEM. 👉 You have a THINKING PROBLEM.
Our thoughts & beliefs about alcohol keep us stuck drinking more than we want to... So, if you try to change your behavior and take a break from booze without first adjusting your mindset... this is what lands you in the realm of deprivation and FOMO.
THE GOOD NEWS? 👉 You can rewire those thoughts & beliefs! By harnessing the power of mindfulness and “neuroplasticity”...
Opinions & FAQs
When it comes to re-evaluating our drinking, there’s a common concern that echoes time and time again: “What will people think!?”
In this article, I share a great resource on the subject, and invite your questions on alcohol, habit change, burnout prevention and recovery, finding inspiration & purpose, and beyond! There’s so much we can learn from one another.
My So-called Sobriety
Growing up in the 80’s & 90’s was wild.
Sandwiched in-between The Muppets and MTV… my formative years were defined by radical weirdness… and media.
As a nerdy kid in a small town, TV was my steadfast companion. Looking back, I’m both *grateful* for the exposure to the wonderful weirdness of a world greater than my own… and also *saddened* by …
A resource worth sharing:
Ten Percent Happier | Podcast with Michael Gervais & Dan Harris |
Why fear of other people’s opinions holds us back, and what to do about it. Dan Harris is joined by Michael Gervais, a high performance psychologist. His new book is called The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying About What People Think of You.
Cravings, cookies, and a complete shift.
A quick story: It’s a good idea to have a replacement for booze in the early days—when you’re so used to reaching for a drink to “feel better” or “feel different” or “UGH! What a crappy day!? I need a DRINK.” sort of days… and popcorn was one of my go-to’s.
Eventually, you learn to shift away from those quick fixes (like popcorn, sugar, and technology) and start to build a toolkit of healthier ways to care for yourself and balance your mood…