Is Fear Stopping You From Quitting Drinking?
Happy Halloween! If you’re scared you can’t quit drinking, worried what other people will think or daunted by the idea of managing life without alcohol, you’re not alone. Fear keeps so many people stuck…
Grey-Area Drinking (And Why You’re Not Alone)
If you’re a grey-area drinker, the chances are your drinking doesn’t feel “normal” but it doesn’t look like one of those clichéd stereotypes either. This can leave you feeling lonely, ashamed and lost. But you’re not alone…
The Cost Of Borrowing From The Bank Of Booze
Alcohol steals happiness from tomorrow. Not only does it steal it, but it makes you pay it back, with interest. It’s the worst kind of lender, offering you the worst kind of deal. In these uncertain times, we talk a lot about the cost of different things… but there’s never much chatter about the cost […]
Staying Committed When You Feel Scared And Uncertain
I know it’s cool these days to be all, “Feel the fear! Push through your comfort zone! You can DO it!” But to be honest, that’s not really me. I hated the uncertainty of sobriety, especially in the early days. There were so many unknowns, so many questions, so many fears. For a long time […]
Not Drinking? Don’t Worry – You’ll Fit Right In
Before I quit drinking, one of my biggest concerns was the reaction I might get from other people. I imagined walking into a bar, ordering a non-alcoholic drink, and the entire place going quiet as people turned in shock. (I know – dramatic or what?!) Fortunately, a lot has changed in the past nine-and-a-bit years […]
If Quitting Drinking Feels Too Hard, Try This
“This is too hard for me.” When I was struggling to quit drinking, I said this so often it almost became a mantra. But back then, alcohol-free living really did feel like an impossible task to me. If you’re feeling the same way, there are two things I suggest you try… I explain more in […]
Numbing Out From Life’s Simple Pleasures
Alcohol is such a blunt tool. If you’re drinking to take the edge off the day, you’re not just numbing out from the stuff you’re trying to avoid. You end up taking the shine off a lot of the good stuff too. You numb the lows and the highs. That means missing out on many […]
Alcohol Is Stealing Genuine Joy From Your Life
All you’re doing is looking forward to your next glass of wine. Perhaps you’re half way through a bottle? Or staring into an empty glass and pondering another? You’re distracted, so you don’t realise a robbery is taking place…
You’re Not Missing Out: Sober Holiday Myths
At this time of year, I often hear from people worried they’ll be missing out if they stay sober on holiday. They can’t imagine skipping cocktails by the pool or saying no to wine with their evening meal. When you’re feeling this way, it’s so easy to talk yourself into giving up on your sober […]
How To Say No To Free Drinks (Without Feeling Deprived)
Picture the scene: you’re trying really hard to be good when, out of nowhere, you’re offered a free drink. It might be during a flight, on holiday, at a wedding, a party, a restaurant or a work conference… Wherever it is, there’s something about turning down booze you haven’t paid for that can be extra […]