Every December I ask the women I’ve coached this question:
“What’s your alcohol free highlight of the year – and is there a photo that sums up that moment?”
I wasn’t sure what to expect this year, given how challenging 2020 has been. But I needn’t have worried.
As usual, I was deluged with photos that made me laugh and cry.
If you’re looking for inspiration to change your drinking in 2021, I think you’ll love these photos.
There’s a story behind every picture – and I’ve done my best to capture it all in this video:
And now a question for you…
What’s been your favourite alcohol free moment of the year?
No matter where you are on your alcohol free journey right now, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
And if you’re looking for help to quit drinking in 2021, click here for details of my next online class.
31 Responses
My favorite AF moment was getting married! It wasn’t the large wedding celebration we planned for and envisioned, but I wouldn’t change a thing. We had a super intimate ceremony due to COVID-19, but it was beautiful and I loved being present for every moment. I would not be married to my wonderful husband if I were still drinking.
Wow, congratulations Lo! It sounds wonderful – a special day and one that you want to be alcohol free, clear headed and fully present for 🙂
My favourite AF moment has been walking the dog and suddenly realising how much lighter and brighter I felt. It’s not been an AF free year for me by any means but I’m so looking forward to starting 2021 on Kate’s course, meeting some amazing women and having a different story to tell (with my own pictures) this time next year
I would love to include you in this next year Karen! Bring on 2021 🙂
I’m a graduate of the Oct course and for the first time in a very long time I feel Free I cannot express how wonderful life is now, anyone thinking of joining this lifestyle,,,, just try it out,, I have got my life back and I plan to enjoy every minute please God alcohol free, thanks kate for this wonderful gift
I hear so many comments about how much better people feel after going AF. They are calmer, more rested, happier, more energetic, etc. And I believe all that. But what I need to know is, how long does it take to get to that point? How long does it take to start seeing any results at all? I know that alcohol is addictive for me. I can go two or three days without it and it gets a little easier, but then something will trip me up (to be honest, I will trip myself up) and then I’m back to it again. I need tangible figures to shoot for.
Hi Colleen, it sounds like you’re doing the hardest bit over and over again at the moment. Here’s my answer to your question: https://thesoberschool.com/being-good-monday-thursday/
Colleen, it feels wonderful much faster than you might think! I took Kate’s course in July 2020 and today is day 169 alcohol free for me. It is SOOO worth it. I had a hundred “Day One’s” before the course. I’d never let myself get past the “hard bits” and was happily surprised at how hanging in there just a little longer got me to the really good bits. I don’t think I would be in this place without having taken the Sober School course. I highly recommend it. You deserve it.
I think the same I only can do one day …. I’m
Scared it’s gonna loose me my marriage I’m finding it hard at the minute really hard I hope to god I can do it for my kids and family cas I feel it’s taking over my life xx
My favourite AF moment of the year was that I started running again. I love the sport. I am free to go where I want to, how I want to anytime of the day and night now. I was quite shocked to realize as December approached that I was nearing 1 year and 5 months. Now, in two weeks time, it will be one year and a half. I am overjoyed that I took Kate’s course. I have the book, “Blackout” close by. All I have to do is look at the cover, and say no more.
Congratulations on your sobriety Carey! I’m so pleased for you. Enjoy your running ❤️
I am so psyched about doing this January 4th!! 2020 has not been alcohol-free for me–but I AM GOING TO SOBER SCHOOL!!
I look forward to working with you Tammy – and helping you make 2021 different to this year!
Tammy, you will learn so much, meet some terrific, smart women, and feel so much better physically and mentally.
I was shocked to see how many women were in my shoes—and how very supportive they are.
Investing in Kate’s course was certainly the best $$$ I’ve spent on myself in a very long time.
This made me cry! I’m 3 months in and my life has seen huge positive changes. I get worried that I might think a glass of wine is a good idea in the future at the some point, but I’m just taking it one day at a time 🙂 Here’s to 2020 Christmas and New Years Eve with no champagne and a GREAT sober 2021 to everyone!
Well done Rachel. Keep going – you’ll see even more benefits as time goes on!
Hi Kate. Thank you for this wonderful blog and all the amazing and so much needed work that you are doing. Thanks to your blogs and all the comments, I am 24 days sober. I am feel good. I am not tired in the mornings anymore. I have more energy during the day. Please tell me what else should I expect. Weight loos, brain power etc:) Rewards are the things I need now:)
It made me cry too. I was in the October 2020 class. It’s probably the best thing I could of done to become AF …
My favourite AF moment was not drinking for the whole year without thought or pain. I love living AF and there is no going back. My life is so much more fulfilling, I am healthy and love participating in my life.
I went to the course in April 2019, quit drinking the night before the course started and it has changed my life more than I can write.
Thank you Kate, you saved my life.
Wow Janet, I’m so pleased to hear that. Congratulations on your sobriety. This alcohol free lifestyle clearly suits you ❤️❤️
Kate , your video makes me smile. So happy for us all!
Merry Christmas.. You are the best gift of all, what you brought to my life!
Best moment is six months long and counting … taking care of my grandson while his parents worked from home. Joy is exhausting and energizing, simultaneously…! Never would have happened in the old days of drinking.
Thank you for your lovely comment Jean!
Hi all so lookin forward to course on 4th this needs to work for my panic and anxiety x
I am only 7 days AF right now but considering I literally woke up in the ICU on a ventilator due to almost drinking myself to death last Monday, I feel pretty damn good right now! Looking so forward to starting the course on 4 January and getting my life back.
Tonight. Dec 21, 2020. The Solstice and the great conjunction of 2 planets visible from the naked eye. I took my daughter out past cocktail hour, in a car and to a huge hill to see the phenomenon not to be reexperienced, in any of our lifetimes, again. We brought our telescope, but I forgot the lens. I didn’t lose my cool or get frustrated. We watched, talked and climbed the hill. And I drover her home safe, in my car, at night.
Wow – sounds like a special and wonderful night Julie! 🙂
Loved that video! My life has improved so much being alcohol free! This course was the thing I needed after quitting many times. I was so tired of doing day one over and over. Thank you!! This is day 131 AF for me!!!
Lovely and inspiring! Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year to all!
I am so ready for this. I want be alcohol free more than anything and get on with my life.
The testimonials on your website are so inspiring. I’m ready and I hope that I can do it.
I have signed up for the course and it comes when I am also going to be making some life altering decisions about my marriage and whether or not to stick it out.
The first thing I want to do though is get AF, so that any decisions I make are done based on my true feelings.
I am now 70 years old but fortunately, as far as I know, in good shape. I have been drinking steadily every day for 30 years and hating myself every night. I have been hospitalized once for alcohol poisoning while vacationing in Mexico. I have been partying for 40 plus years having used drugs and alcohol in my younger years although just alcohol now, and I am ready for a change. A change in my health and well being, a change in my attitude, and maybe a change in my living circumstances.
Hi Kate,
I just wanted to let you know how helpful your website was to me when I started to go AF. I used to read the blogs thinking “that’s me, yes that’s me, that’s me…” but I haven’t even looked at your site for a year because tonight is my anniversary of giving up!
I’m so glad I made the decision when I did, because I’ve been working from home since March, and if I’d been drinking I would undoubtedly have drank all day while working, and probably lost my job. My partner has recently admitted to me that I was pretty unbearable at times when drinking, and it took a few months before it started to sink in how bad I must have been, so that bit has been hard, but otherwise I’ve not missed the actual booze.
Thanks for your help, and I’d say to anyone else that it can be done.