Goodness Brooke, this is uncanny!! Last night I just finished reading "Quit Like A Woman" by Holly Whitaker. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It has blown my mind and I wish everyone could read it. My drinking life has looked very similar to yours but it has taken me longer (now 51!) to get to a point where I no longer drink alcohol. Holly's book was recommended to me and I now see things from a very different perspective. At the front of the book I've actually hand written a copy of the WHO guidelines which basically tells us there is no safe alcohol consumption. It is a 'toxic, psychoactive and dependence producing substance and classified as a Group 1 carcinogen'. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's safe.
In her book Holly goes into a lot of detail about the pressure of society to accept drinking as normal, especially from the perspective of women. Those seen as not being able to handle it are labelled 'alcoholic' - a term she doesn't use. Alcohol diminishes us in so many ways and choosing to not drink is not about deprivation but about an invitation to a happier and healthier life.
And...well done on your manuscript! What amazing progress xx
Thanks so much for the rec Carolyn! I've read a bit of Holly's work and like how much of a straight talker she is. I've listened to a lot of conversations with people in recovery (Dax Sheperd's podcast seems to feature quite a few) and they all have similar thoughts on the term alcoholic. I'd honestly never given it much thought, but I agree that language matters so much.
And thank you! I'm quietly feeling very chuffed about the manuscript progress! 💚💚
It's wonderful to hear more conversation surrounding being sober. I stopped drinking last year, right before New Year's Eve. It was something that I had on my mind for years, and I had an inkling for awhile about stopping. My story mirrors yours in several ways. In college, I used alcohol as a tool to be someone that was I couldn't be sober. I am naturally chatting and friendly, but I felt pressured to be more at parties. I continued to use alcohol only in social settings. I enjoyed the buzz and the feeling. I suffered from hangovers, even when I only had one drink. I realized that I wanted to enjoy my days, feeling fresh and nourished. My parents are cocktail hour people, and that has been tough. My family doesn't understand why I don't drink. I do notice more people quitting. My sister in law just stopped after her mother's diagnosis of Alzheimers. There are so many health benefits to being sober, I just don't need it anymore. There was a good podcast about travel and drinking on Zero to Travel Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zero-to-travel-podcast/id778339885?i=1000623785956 Thanks again for posting.
Love your story Blythe. I’m a huge introvert and I know I often used alcohol as a confidence booster for social events. It feels like deciding to not drink is me pushing back against what society expects me to be, and learning to love myself, and my slow simple life, just the way they are.
It seemed impossible at the time to go to a college party without drinking. I remember wanting connection and conversation. That wasn't happening in those places. I am actually embracing my black sheep title of the family and leaning into being different. By listening to myself, my life has gone into a positive direction. Not drinking was just the next step.
Love this post! My husband and I did a month experiment without alcohol about 4 years ago, whilst doing a year of traveling, and after having one too many hangovers, and realising how much of our travel fund we were spending on alcohol, we decided to give it a go. And we haven’t really drunk since, apart from the very very occasional experiment to try again (more out of curiosity), and always end up disappointed with the experience (and we were party binge drinkers, loved the escape!). We learnt so much about ourselves, and navigating all the challenges was such wonderful growth. If anyone is looking to experiment, I highly recommend Annie Graces free online 30 day experiment. You really can’t unlearn what you learn in those 30 days. Thanks for sharing your story Brooke. I’m a big advocate for experimenting without alcohol. It’s been life changing for us, in so many ways.
Thanks Monique! I like the experiment approach too, it just seems to take the pressure off and let us really ask the question 'What might happen if...?' It's so cool you and your husband did it together too. I think there's something different about trying new things that way. Plus it's always fun to have someone you can talk about it with!
Thanks for the beautiful post, especially the lessons at the end. So real.
I don't really qualify for the alcohol bit: the smell of it get's me nauseous, so it's never been a draw for me. But I'm totally in for host of other dependencies/addictions: food, social media, relationships, and more. It's been a long journey for me - and is still ongoing - and one lesson I've learned many times is that (for me) bad habits are exchanged for good ones only by going the full way and not giving in at all. But once I've left the "old way of doing things," say after many months or even a few years, there's lot's more room for exploring new ways that might work - or might not.
Thanks so much Shmuel! And I think you're right - so much of what I've learnt with no alcohol could absolutely be applied to those other areas of dependency. I think I just need to remind myself to get comfortable with discomfort again and take it all as an experiment. That seems to reduce the pressure a lot. And I really love your last point too, that going all in on a change actually allows for further experimentation down the track. I think knowing that alone can also help. So glad to have you here!
Yes Brooke! Been meaning to ask about your booze free experience so glad to read about it here. Six months of sober curiosity for me, started tracking how much I was drinking in the reframe app and was confronted by how much I thought I was consuming vs the reality. Quit to improve mental and physical health and build trust with myself, drinking began to feel like self-abandonment and I’ve loved nourishing that relationship instead. It’s certainly unlocked a new type of joy particularly the dancing. 💃🏼🪩
Oh I love the idea of building trust with yourself - such a beautiful way of looking at it. And you're right, it really does feel nourishing. I kind of thought it might feel punitive but it's been the exact opposite for me too. And 100% agree about the dancing!! 💚
I love your thoughts on this subject and think more of us wonder about it than not. Congratulations on 3 years, no beers. It’s a joy to read your experiences sans alcohol!
Thanks so much, Bethany! It actually surprised me when I realised three years had passed (and had you told me that at the beginning of the experiment I definitely wouldn't have believed you! 😆)
This was such an interesting read. I’ve never been a big drinker, mainly because I react badly to wine and after half a glass can feel dizzy, hot and nauseous and other alcoholic drinks give me a similar reaction which for me personally outweighs any positives I may have from an alcoholic drink. My problem is eating sweet foods to which I have no off switch. As I read your post I had a lot of the same thoughts and feelings as you but in relation to sweet foods instead. Eating cake and biscuits is a big social event amongst family and friends so I have found it hard to turn them down despite having already eaten plenty of sugary foods on the same day. Literally three days ago I made the decision to stop eating sugary foods to see how it affects me both mentally and physically so I am only just starting my experiment but I can only think of many positive ways it will improve my life and wish I listened to the little voice in my head and started doing this a long time ago.
I think anything that becomes expected or in-built to our social gatherings can be really hard to step back from. Particularly with drinking or sugary food, they're often offered to us as a way to treat ourselves and by saying no, it can seem like we're punishing ourselves in some way, when the truth often is that we're doing it because it helps us to feel better. Such a tricky knot to unpick. I hope your experiment goes well and you learn lots from it! 💚
“Not drinking means I feel a lot more and not drinking means I have to feel those feelings. It’s hard sometimes”. This... 🩵 November marks my 3 years of sobriety as well 🥳 Having to actually feel my feelings has been the hardest part and I just have to remind myself to ride the wave, it will eventually subside.
Congratulations Mackenzie!! And yep, feeling those feelings is a tough gig sometimes. But it's funny, I don't think I'd change it. Like Tess said above, there's something about building trust with ourselves that is so powerful. So glad you're on a good path 💚💚
Working in a bar I've seen non-drinking become a lot more acceptable, which is great. We offer a few no-alc beers and wines and as a craft beer nerd I'm just as happy recommending good zeros as I am recommending alcohol.
I personally don't see myself ever not drinking because I don't get hangovers, I'm not a partier, and finding new craft breweries on my travels and trying new beers at festivals are genuine hobbies. Having said that, we have started skipping knock offs at work or having a Heaps Normal instead because I just can't be bothered anymore. I'm in a tourist town where every other week one of the backpackers is having a going-away party after doing their 88 days and they usually pick a place doing karaoke or with a cover band playing and there is honestly not enough alcohol in the world to endure that, so I just wish them safe travels and skip it.
The only cut-out experiment I've done that has stuck is that I gave up soft drink about 12 years ago, so that's something I guess 😅
Cutting out soft drink is no joke! That stuff is addictive. 😆 It's interesting to hear about it from your perspective as a bar tender too. I think that brands like Heaps Normal have made it more acceptable to have a night off the booze, without making a big thing of it, which I think is probably the best way to give people options. Also, I hear you RE karaoke!!
Thank you for sharing this :) I decided to stop drinking 10 years ago for many of the same reasons. Sure, I wasn't the fun person people wanted, but I felt so much better after choosing to go sans alcohol, and my moods and anxiety were the better for it. Sure, there was a weird social transition when everyone else was still going out and wondering why I was just having sparkling water, but they got used to it. I had to learn how to be in social situations without that boost, and as an introvert, I'll probably always be working on that! Now, in my mid-forties, I feel like more people in my life are deciding not to drink or drink less, and they are confiding in me why they just don't feel great when they drink and are looking for alternatives. I feel like I've learned so many ways over the years to enjoy my life, and alcohol just isn't something that adds to that enjoyment.
Yes! There's something really important to unpack in that distinction - between being the person people are used to/want to spend time with vs the person who feels better in themselves. I think that's part of what I'm having to learn and relearn at the moment. It really does feel like a project in choosing ourselves over time. So glad to read your experience Sommer. Thank you for sharing 💚
Loved reading this. I'm the same I've gone long periods of not drinking in my life but for some reason motherhood and the pandemic had me stopping completely. My partner has chronic illness and doesn't drink at all and I don't drink alone, we live on a property with our kids so I have no designated driver. I have a few drinks when people come to our house which is very rarely or if we travel and I'm out for dinner and the kids are being looked after I'll have a glass. I also have a hard rule that I will not drive my car with my kids in it if I have had any alcohol so that eliminates most of my drinking. I've been mildly hung over once since becoming a parent and it was awful and I won't be doing it again. 😅 I'm comfortable having a few drinks once a month but I can see myself stopping completely without even really thinking about it. Like during the pandemic.
Carly! It's so fun seeing you pop up in my inbox again! It's funny, I've heard you talk about and write about your approach to drinking a few times over the years and it's always resonated with me. You were the first person I heard say that you coud happily go for months without drinking and when I realised it made me uncomfortable, it was the catalyst for my own experiments. So thank you for talking about it! 💚
That's a very timely post for me because I might be at the edge of quitting drinking. I moved a few days ago and when packing, I was really insecure if I should take the wine and cocktail glasses to the new place or give them away. For now, I've decided to keep them but thinking more about potential guests wanting to have a glass of wine than of me. At parties in the last months, I always went for non-alcoholic options and that was just fine. There is not need to go back to drinking but I am not quite ready to say out loud "I don't drink alcohol." Maybe soon. Going vegetarian was a similar slow process that was years in the making before I went fully vegetarian last year. Thank you for sharing your experiences, Broke!
Oh yes, I can relate to all of this. We've still got loads of wine glasses, but they're for guests usually. And I don't think there needs to be any pressure to announce the change. As you've done, just a gradual stepping back is usually enough - especially if the reason we're doing it is personal and close. Here's to learning more about ourselves xx
I relate to your story Brooke, thanks for sharing your experience. I haven't had a drink for 9ish months now and no desire to restart. Like you I haven't drawn a line in the sand that states I'll never drink again. But I like my life a lot more without booze. Even though there have been awkward moments reconciling who I am in social settings if I'm sober. It certainly does get easier, like most things, with time. As a HSP, most of my life I used alcohol to numb my sensitivity and be the life of the party in environments I actually detested being in. I can recommend Holly Whitakers book too, it was good company at the beginning of this alcohol free journey. (Non-alcoholic) Cheers!
I like my life a lot more without it too (which, had you told me that a few years ago, I would never have believed you! I love that we can still surprise ourselves)
I also think there's more for me to look into RE the HSP thing. I found the original book a game-changer for me but hadn't run the decision not to drink through that filter. Thanks for raising it Stephanie! 💚
It's only looking back retrospectively that it all makes sense. Concurrently I realised that the pill also had a similar numbing effect too. Sadly, booze and female birth control are so commonplace in our culture and yet stifle our intuitive powers as cyclical beings. My connection to the natural world, my creativity, my true self is so much deeper and richer without both! I feel everything now more vividly, highs and lows 💞
Ahhh thank you for sharing this. I must have let out a sigh of relief a few different times while reading. I myself have also done quite a few ‘experiments’ which lasted a month or three at most and I have always had this feeling that alcohol just doesn’t serve my happiness and that perhaps I should just part ways with it in a more lasting way. I really like reading insights from those who never really had a ‘serious problem’ as we tend to read about in a lot of the quit lit books at the moment. May I request a podcast on the topic perhaps ?? Also, if you are wanting to read a very light, fun and feel good book about life sans alcohol, I so loved Sober Lush.
OOh, a pod would be fun! And thank you for the book rec. I found myself feeling similarly as I saw more and more quit lit books coming out - that many of them were for a different audience - so a playful approach might be just the ticket. 💚💚
Goodness Brooke, this is uncanny!! Last night I just finished reading "Quit Like A Woman" by Holly Whitaker. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It has blown my mind and I wish everyone could read it. My drinking life has looked very similar to yours but it has taken me longer (now 51!) to get to a point where I no longer drink alcohol. Holly's book was recommended to me and I now see things from a very different perspective. At the front of the book I've actually hand written a copy of the WHO guidelines which basically tells us there is no safe alcohol consumption. It is a 'toxic, psychoactive and dependence producing substance and classified as a Group 1 carcinogen'. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's safe.
In her book Holly goes into a lot of detail about the pressure of society to accept drinking as normal, especially from the perspective of women. Those seen as not being able to handle it are labelled 'alcoholic' - a term she doesn't use. Alcohol diminishes us in so many ways and choosing to not drink is not about deprivation but about an invitation to a happier and healthier life.
And...well done on your manuscript! What amazing progress xx
Thanks so much for the rec Carolyn! I've read a bit of Holly's work and like how much of a straight talker she is. I've listened to a lot of conversations with people in recovery (Dax Sheperd's podcast seems to feature quite a few) and they all have similar thoughts on the term alcoholic. I'd honestly never given it much thought, but I agree that language matters so much.
And thank you! I'm quietly feeling very chuffed about the manuscript progress! 💚💚
I have not read this book yet, but it came highly recommended to me by a friend. I'll have to check it out!
I loved it Blythe! It gave me a whole new perspective and understanding.
It's wonderful to hear more conversation surrounding being sober. I stopped drinking last year, right before New Year's Eve. It was something that I had on my mind for years, and I had an inkling for awhile about stopping. My story mirrors yours in several ways. In college, I used alcohol as a tool to be someone that was I couldn't be sober. I am naturally chatting and friendly, but I felt pressured to be more at parties. I continued to use alcohol only in social settings. I enjoyed the buzz and the feeling. I suffered from hangovers, even when I only had one drink. I realized that I wanted to enjoy my days, feeling fresh and nourished. My parents are cocktail hour people, and that has been tough. My family doesn't understand why I don't drink. I do notice more people quitting. My sister in law just stopped after her mother's diagnosis of Alzheimers. There are so many health benefits to being sober, I just don't need it anymore. There was a good podcast about travel and drinking on Zero to Travel Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zero-to-travel-podcast/id778339885?i=1000623785956 Thanks again for posting.
Love your story Blythe. I’m a huge introvert and I know I often used alcohol as a confidence booster for social events. It feels like deciding to not drink is me pushing back against what society expects me to be, and learning to love myself, and my slow simple life, just the way they are.
It seemed impossible at the time to go to a college party without drinking. I remember wanting connection and conversation. That wasn't happening in those places. I am actually embracing my black sheep title of the family and leaning into being different. By listening to myself, my life has gone into a positive direction. Not drinking was just the next step.
That is so inspiring 🙏
Love this post! My husband and I did a month experiment without alcohol about 4 years ago, whilst doing a year of traveling, and after having one too many hangovers, and realising how much of our travel fund we were spending on alcohol, we decided to give it a go. And we haven’t really drunk since, apart from the very very occasional experiment to try again (more out of curiosity), and always end up disappointed with the experience (and we were party binge drinkers, loved the escape!). We learnt so much about ourselves, and navigating all the challenges was such wonderful growth. If anyone is looking to experiment, I highly recommend Annie Graces free online 30 day experiment. You really can’t unlearn what you learn in those 30 days. Thanks for sharing your story Brooke. I’m a big advocate for experimenting without alcohol. It’s been life changing for us, in so many ways.
Thanks Monique! I like the experiment approach too, it just seems to take the pressure off and let us really ask the question 'What might happen if...?' It's so cool you and your husband did it together too. I think there's something different about trying new things that way. Plus it's always fun to have someone you can talk about it with!
My husband usually takes January off from drinking. It is always a positive experience for him to look at this patterns surrounding alcohol.
Thanks for the beautiful post, especially the lessons at the end. So real.
I don't really qualify for the alcohol bit: the smell of it get's me nauseous, so it's never been a draw for me. But I'm totally in for host of other dependencies/addictions: food, social media, relationships, and more. It's been a long journey for me - and is still ongoing - and one lesson I've learned many times is that (for me) bad habits are exchanged for good ones only by going the full way and not giving in at all. But once I've left the "old way of doing things," say after many months or even a few years, there's lot's more room for exploring new ways that might work - or might not.
Thanks so much Shmuel! And I think you're right - so much of what I've learnt with no alcohol could absolutely be applied to those other areas of dependency. I think I just need to remind myself to get comfortable with discomfort again and take it all as an experiment. That seems to reduce the pressure a lot. And I really love your last point too, that going all in on a change actually allows for further experimentation down the track. I think knowing that alone can also help. So glad to have you here!
Yes Brooke! Been meaning to ask about your booze free experience so glad to read about it here. Six months of sober curiosity for me, started tracking how much I was drinking in the reframe app and was confronted by how much I thought I was consuming vs the reality. Quit to improve mental and physical health and build trust with myself, drinking began to feel like self-abandonment and I’ve loved nourishing that relationship instead. It’s certainly unlocked a new type of joy particularly the dancing. 💃🏼🪩
Oh I love the idea of building trust with yourself - such a beautiful way of looking at it. And you're right, it really does feel nourishing. I kind of thought it might feel punitive but it's been the exact opposite for me too. And 100% agree about the dancing!! 💚
I love your thoughts on this subject and think more of us wonder about it than not. Congratulations on 3 years, no beers. It’s a joy to read your experiences sans alcohol!
Thanks so much, Bethany! It actually surprised me when I realised three years had passed (and had you told me that at the beginning of the experiment I definitely wouldn't have believed you! 😆)
Oh! I also meant to ask you if you have read Laura McKowen’s work (she’s also here on Substack if you don’t already follow her). I love her voice.
This was such an interesting read. I’ve never been a big drinker, mainly because I react badly to wine and after half a glass can feel dizzy, hot and nauseous and other alcoholic drinks give me a similar reaction which for me personally outweighs any positives I may have from an alcoholic drink. My problem is eating sweet foods to which I have no off switch. As I read your post I had a lot of the same thoughts and feelings as you but in relation to sweet foods instead. Eating cake and biscuits is a big social event amongst family and friends so I have found it hard to turn them down despite having already eaten plenty of sugary foods on the same day. Literally three days ago I made the decision to stop eating sugary foods to see how it affects me both mentally and physically so I am only just starting my experiment but I can only think of many positive ways it will improve my life and wish I listened to the little voice in my head and started doing this a long time ago.
I think anything that becomes expected or in-built to our social gatherings can be really hard to step back from. Particularly with drinking or sugary food, they're often offered to us as a way to treat ourselves and by saying no, it can seem like we're punishing ourselves in some way, when the truth often is that we're doing it because it helps us to feel better. Such a tricky knot to unpick. I hope your experiment goes well and you learn lots from it! 💚
“Not drinking means I feel a lot more and not drinking means I have to feel those feelings. It’s hard sometimes”. This... 🩵 November marks my 3 years of sobriety as well 🥳 Having to actually feel my feelings has been the hardest part and I just have to remind myself to ride the wave, it will eventually subside.
Congratulations Mackenzie!! And yep, feeling those feelings is a tough gig sometimes. But it's funny, I don't think I'd change it. Like Tess said above, there's something about building trust with ourselves that is so powerful. So glad you're on a good path 💚💚
Working in a bar I've seen non-drinking become a lot more acceptable, which is great. We offer a few no-alc beers and wines and as a craft beer nerd I'm just as happy recommending good zeros as I am recommending alcohol.
I personally don't see myself ever not drinking because I don't get hangovers, I'm not a partier, and finding new craft breweries on my travels and trying new beers at festivals are genuine hobbies. Having said that, we have started skipping knock offs at work or having a Heaps Normal instead because I just can't be bothered anymore. I'm in a tourist town where every other week one of the backpackers is having a going-away party after doing their 88 days and they usually pick a place doing karaoke or with a cover band playing and there is honestly not enough alcohol in the world to endure that, so I just wish them safe travels and skip it.
The only cut-out experiment I've done that has stuck is that I gave up soft drink about 12 years ago, so that's something I guess 😅
Cutting out soft drink is no joke! That stuff is addictive. 😆 It's interesting to hear about it from your perspective as a bar tender too. I think that brands like Heaps Normal have made it more acceptable to have a night off the booze, without making a big thing of it, which I think is probably the best way to give people options. Also, I hear you RE karaoke!!
Thank you for sharing this :) I decided to stop drinking 10 years ago for many of the same reasons. Sure, I wasn't the fun person people wanted, but I felt so much better after choosing to go sans alcohol, and my moods and anxiety were the better for it. Sure, there was a weird social transition when everyone else was still going out and wondering why I was just having sparkling water, but they got used to it. I had to learn how to be in social situations without that boost, and as an introvert, I'll probably always be working on that! Now, in my mid-forties, I feel like more people in my life are deciding not to drink or drink less, and they are confiding in me why they just don't feel great when they drink and are looking for alternatives. I feel like I've learned so many ways over the years to enjoy my life, and alcohol just isn't something that adds to that enjoyment.
Yes! There's something really important to unpack in that distinction - between being the person people are used to/want to spend time with vs the person who feels better in themselves. I think that's part of what I'm having to learn and relearn at the moment. It really does feel like a project in choosing ourselves over time. So glad to read your experience Sommer. Thank you for sharing 💚
Bravo Brooke <3
Thank you my lovely friend xx
Loved reading this. I'm the same I've gone long periods of not drinking in my life but for some reason motherhood and the pandemic had me stopping completely. My partner has chronic illness and doesn't drink at all and I don't drink alone, we live on a property with our kids so I have no designated driver. I have a few drinks when people come to our house which is very rarely or if we travel and I'm out for dinner and the kids are being looked after I'll have a glass. I also have a hard rule that I will not drive my car with my kids in it if I have had any alcohol so that eliminates most of my drinking. I've been mildly hung over once since becoming a parent and it was awful and I won't be doing it again. 😅 I'm comfortable having a few drinks once a month but I can see myself stopping completely without even really thinking about it. Like during the pandemic.
Carly! It's so fun seeing you pop up in my inbox again! It's funny, I've heard you talk about and write about your approach to drinking a few times over the years and it's always resonated with me. You were the first person I heard say that you coud happily go for months without drinking and when I realised it made me uncomfortable, it was the catalyst for my own experiments. So thank you for talking about it! 💚
That's a very timely post for me because I might be at the edge of quitting drinking. I moved a few days ago and when packing, I was really insecure if I should take the wine and cocktail glasses to the new place or give them away. For now, I've decided to keep them but thinking more about potential guests wanting to have a glass of wine than of me. At parties in the last months, I always went for non-alcoholic options and that was just fine. There is not need to go back to drinking but I am not quite ready to say out loud "I don't drink alcohol." Maybe soon. Going vegetarian was a similar slow process that was years in the making before I went fully vegetarian last year. Thank you for sharing your experiences, Broke!
Oh yes, I can relate to all of this. We've still got loads of wine glasses, but they're for guests usually. And I don't think there needs to be any pressure to announce the change. As you've done, just a gradual stepping back is usually enough - especially if the reason we're doing it is personal and close. Here's to learning more about ourselves xx
I relate to your story Brooke, thanks for sharing your experience. I haven't had a drink for 9ish months now and no desire to restart. Like you I haven't drawn a line in the sand that states I'll never drink again. But I like my life a lot more without booze. Even though there have been awkward moments reconciling who I am in social settings if I'm sober. It certainly does get easier, like most things, with time. As a HSP, most of my life I used alcohol to numb my sensitivity and be the life of the party in environments I actually detested being in. I can recommend Holly Whitakers book too, it was good company at the beginning of this alcohol free journey. (Non-alcoholic) Cheers!
I like my life a lot more without it too (which, had you told me that a few years ago, I would never have believed you! I love that we can still surprise ourselves)
I also think there's more for me to look into RE the HSP thing. I found the original book a game-changer for me but hadn't run the decision not to drink through that filter. Thanks for raising it Stephanie! 💚
It's only looking back retrospectively that it all makes sense. Concurrently I realised that the pill also had a similar numbing effect too. Sadly, booze and female birth control are so commonplace in our culture and yet stifle our intuitive powers as cyclical beings. My connection to the natural world, my creativity, my true self is so much deeper and richer without both! I feel everything now more vividly, highs and lows 💞
Ahhh thank you for sharing this. I must have let out a sigh of relief a few different times while reading. I myself have also done quite a few ‘experiments’ which lasted a month or three at most and I have always had this feeling that alcohol just doesn’t serve my happiness and that perhaps I should just part ways with it in a more lasting way. I really like reading insights from those who never really had a ‘serious problem’ as we tend to read about in a lot of the quit lit books at the moment. May I request a podcast on the topic perhaps ?? Also, if you are wanting to read a very light, fun and feel good book about life sans alcohol, I so loved Sober Lush.
OOh, a pod would be fun! And thank you for the book rec. I found myself feeling similarly as I saw more and more quit lit books coming out - that many of them were for a different audience - so a playful approach might be just the ticket. 💚💚
it is a gorgeous, luscious and fun read to be certain! Looking forward to hearing more on all of this.. so love what you are doing xo