Very few people quit drinking overnight. Most of us spend a long time wondering whether it’s the right thing to do. Even when we decide we are ready, there can be a lot to figure out, and things can feel hard. I call this the ‘messy middle…’
Some people say that quitting drinking feels a bit like breaking up with someone, and I think they’re right. I was in a serious, long term relationship with alcohol for years. Even when I knew things were over, there were still times when…
I don’t want to trivialise sobriety, or the deep and meaningful reasons why many people choose to quit drinking. But can we talk about the beauty benefits of alcohol free living for a second? If you (like me) are a little bit vain sometimes…
Back in my drinking days, I always struggled to say no to a glass of wine. Yet I never had a problem turning down ‘proper’ drugs. I grew up with the “just say no” advertising campaigns of the 80s and 90s. It was drummed into us that…
Thinking about taking a break from booze in the New Year? If you’ve been wondering what an alcohol-free life is really like, today’s blog is for you. A few days ago, I asked some of the women I’ve worked with if they had a picture of…
When I was struggling with my drinking, I couldn’t get my head around the idea of a sober Christmas and New Year. Booze is such a big part of the festive season, and I was totally convinced that alcohol-free meant fun-free. There was…
Drinking too much can be a very isolating experience. This is particularly the case if you’re a grey zone drinker (like I was). I never felt like an alcoholic, but I wasn’t a “normal” drinker either. When you’re in the grey zone, life looks fine…
The festive season is supposed to be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’… but it’s also the booziest. There are parties to navigate, family gatherings and endless occasions where we’re encouraged to ‘celebrate’ with everyone’s…
My American friends will be celebrating Thanksgiving later this week. It got me thinking about gratitude and the important role it plays in sobriety. Alcohol free living is a mindset game. It makes such a difference when your focus is on…
Something I don’t often write about is how much alcohol costs us. I tend not to focus on the money side of sobriety, because saving cash isn’t the main reason why people quit. For most of us, it’s the opportunity cost that really hurts…
When you quit drinking, friends and family can be keen to share unhelpful ‘advice’. Sometimes it’s because they genuinely want to help. Other times it’s because your decision is bringing up stuff for them. No matter what their intention, many…
“I know I need to stop… but I don’t think I can quit drinking forever.” I hear this a lot. And it doesn’t surprise me. I mean, ‘forever’ is a long time, right? It’s pretty hard to get your head around. People often want to know whether it’s ok to…
