The Mental Load of Moderation (And Why It’s So Exhausting)
Have you heard of the term, “the mental load”? You often hear it talked about in relation to motherhood or caregiving. It’s the invisible work that goes into planning, organising and anticipating everything. It’s heavy stuff… and when the mental load meets wine o’clock? It’s so tempting to drink because it really seems as if […]
Craving A Drink In The Sun? Try This Instead.
Can I be terribly British for a moment and talk about the weather? Because it’s been lovely lately – so sunny, warm, and dry. If you’re newly sober (or trying to be), you can’t fail to notice the tables and chairs that appear outside bars. Or the packed pub beer gardens. The clinking glasses, the […]
Why Do I Keep Drinking When I Said I Wouldn’t?
When I was trying (and failing) to quit drinking, I always had a lot of angry questions for myself the morning after. Questions like: Why on earth did I do that? Why do I keep drinking when I said I wouldn’t? Sometimes my drinking felt like a bit of a mystery. It didn’t make sense… […]
When Wine Becomes Your Best Friend
“Alcohol has been my best friend for years.” I saw this comment on one of my blog posts recently and it got me thinking. There was definitely a time in my life when I thought the same thing. Wine truly felt like a friend. When all else failed, there was always booze. But it was […]
The Risks You Take When You Drink Too Much
I hate being nagged to do stuff. I don’t want to be guilt tripped, made to feel bad or like I “should” change. So that probably explains why I’ve been back and forth over whether or not to share this week’s blog. I’d much rather inspire, rather than scare you into quitting drinking. But… this […]
Are You Controlling Alcohol… Or Is It Controlling You?
I thought I was the one in charge. I had rules, limits and plans. What to drink, where to drink, when to drink… I had it all figured out. All I needed to do was stick to my rules. However… (I bet you can see where this is going) My “rules” never quite worked out. […]
Why I Feel Lucky To Be Sober On St Patrick’s Day
Do you know what I love to do on St Patrick’s Day, one of the booziest days of the year? I like to reflect on how lucky I am to be sober! Seriously. I make sure I take a moment to pause and appreciate how fortunate I am to be living life, alcohol-free. But of […]
The Hidden Ways Alcohol Is Making Your Life Harder
We all know the obvious downsides of drinking. The hangovers, the things you can’t remember, the cost, the shame, the health risks and impact on your appearance. But have you ever thought about the small, hidden ways that alcohol makes your life harder without you even noticing? I’m talking about the tedious, soul-sucking, subtle problems […]
Are You Hiding Your Drinking… From Yourself?
Have you ever found yourself wondering exactly how much you drank last week, but then shrugged it off because – honestly – you’d rather not know? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. When I was drinking, I remember not only hiding it from other people, but hiding it from myself too. I know, it […]
When You’re Tempted To Give Up On Your Sober Goals
“Enough! I’m fed up. I’m done with this. I’m tired of trying not to drink. I’m just going to give up on sobriety!” Does this sound at all familiar? I’ve been there myself, so I know exactly what it feels like. But just before you slam that sober door shut and ignore any further communication […]