Donna's Story: From Party Girl to Living Alcohol-Free in Midlife
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Release Date: 05/24/2023
Outgrowing Yourself in Midlife
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 301 If you're feeling like something is off and you're not sure what it is, it could be that you're outgrowing a past version of yourself. A version that may not be aligned to who you want to be today and tomorrow, and is not giving you positive vibes. 😅 This episode was inspired by the idea of outgrowing alcohol, and a quote that hit me right in the ol' thinking cap. We shrink ourselves to fit into places we’ve outgrown. Then we find ways to anesthetize the pain and discomfort. Stop spiritually and emotionally starving yourself. Let go. Move on. Grow. Steve Maraboli ...
info_outline
Reclaim Self-Comfort From Alcohol
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode #300 Hello! I'm glad you're here. If you're a midlife woman who is tired of turning to alcohol as a source of comfort and want to turn to yourself instead, this episode is for you! Alcohol is often perceived as a source of comfort, especially for women in midlife facing next-level challenges and stressors. Chardonnay was my friend and it wrapped me in comfort like a warm cozy blanket for years. However, this comfort was deceiving and over time, I realized that it was very temporary. In this episode, I talk about the concept of self-comfort and how to reclaim it without relying on...
info_outline
Daily Habits to Support Long-Lasting Sobriety with Jen Hirst
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Hello there! I'm glad you're here! My guest in episode 299 is Jen Hirst, Sober Coach, and founder of Lighthouse Sobriety, who is here to help you create more structure in your day by adding habits that will help you maintain sobriety. One of the things I appreciate about Jen is her practical approach to getting and staying sober. And, her support that she shares on Instagram! I reached out to Jen to ask her to share her story and talk about how habits you can start today will help you stay alcohol-free. Our conversation centered around essential daily habits that can help maintain a...
info_outline
Figuring Things Out As You Go: A Reintroduction to To 50 and Beyond
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Hey there! I'm happy to be back with you after a summer hiatus. I started To 50 and Beyond when I was 50 way back in 2018, so it would be a great time for a reintroduction. Things have changed since then and I have figured some things out that I want to share with you. The episode starts with a flashback from my very first introduction in February of 2018. I talk about the evolution of the podcast, and why I still believe midlife is the best time to remove anything from your life that you don't enjoy or find value in, including alcohol. I share where I am after celebrating 11...
info_outline
When You Change Your Mind - I'm on a Podcast Break Until September 11, 2024
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Hey there, friend! This quickie episode is all about changing your mind to honor yourself and not overextend yourself, which can lead to burnout. I've decided to take an extended podcast break to avoid burning out and enjoy my Sober Gal Summer. Inside this episode, I share my thoughts on why it's hard to change your mind, and why you should, and what to expect in the Fall from To 50 and Beyond. Want to stay in touch weekly? Join my email community to learn more details about the podcast and get guidance in staying alcohol-free this summer. Join Want to...
info_outline
Tips to Help You Prepare an Alcohol-Free Vacation
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 297 Are you planning a vacation and want to stay alcohol-free but feeling unsure if you can manage it? I've been there too. When I stopped drinking, I struggled with the idea that a vacation could be enjoyable without alcohol. For me, alcohol and vacation were intertwined in my belief of what made a trip fun. It took one sober trip to realize that vacations could be just as enjoyable without alcohol. In this episode, I share seven of my favorite tips for preparing for a sober vacation, along with strategies to help you stay on track during and after your trip. What you’ll hear: Why...
info_outline
Sober Gal Summer: What's In and Out
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 296 This episode is for the Sober Gal who wants to spend her summer with that Sober Gal vibe - freedom from alcohol. Freedom to do more things SHE wants to do. Invest and give herself back the time, money, and energy alcohol took from her and have fun on her own this summer - no alcohol required. ➡️Do you feel like you’re missing out because you don’t have a glass of alcohol when you’re sitting on your patio? ➡️Are you starting to give yourself a summer pass for drinking because you’re on vacation? ➡️Saying things like - I’m traveling...
info_outline
Q & A: When Does Sobriety Stop Being So Hard?
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 295 In this episode, I share my personal journey and experiences with sobriety, addressing the common question: When does sobriety stop being hard? I’ve shared my story since the beginning of this podcast. I had a tough time in the first and second years. I went it on my own. In 2013, I didn’t know about podcasts or books about sobriety. Change and transition are tough, even if you appreciate change in your life. When we’re talking about our bond with alcohol and transitioning out of having it in our lives, it’s tough. No matter how much or how long you spend drinking,...
info_outline
How I Managed My Anxiety When I Quit Drinking Alcohol
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 294 In this episode, I’m answering a question from a To 50 and Beyond listener, Maggie. Maggie sent me an email and said: I’ve heard you talk about your social anxiety when you were 14 and started drinking as you got older. Did having anxiety hold you back from quitting drinking? And how did you manage it once you stopped drinking? Anxiety has been one of the most difficult things I’ve had to experience and manage throughout my life. I didn’t talk to a doctor about my anxiety until I was in my 40s. I wanted to hide it. Pretend like I had everything together, and even...
info_outline
Starting Over on Day One
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 293 Q & A episodes: Thank you for listening! Wanna help me spread the word! There is another option besides drinking in midlife. If you liked this episode and want to take a few minutes to support the podcast, I want to encourage you to leave a positive rating and review on Apple Podcasts. So many women out there don’t know there is an “alcohol-free” option and are struggling with their drinking. Your support will help these women find the podcast this week and learn about an alcohol-free lifestyle later in life. ➡️Click, scroll to the...
info_outlineEpisode 249
Hello, friend! I'm honored to share my guest with you today.
Donna is a fellow listener of To 50 and Beyond who reached out to me to share her story with you to let you know you are not alone and give you a boost of "alcohol-free" inspiration and encouragement.
Donna is a wonderful woman, who I now consider a friend, and I think you will too.
Today, you will hear Donna’s Story from the beginning of her drinking and how her drinking escalated in her 30s and 40s, and the signs she received which made her question her relationship with alcohol and stop drinking.
Donna is 55 years old and celebrated 3 years alcohol-free on 12 April 2023. Previously identifying as a party girl, Donna never considered stopping drinking prior to her “Easter epiphany” in 2020.
Donna lives with her husband Shane and elderly rescue dog Zac near Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. She works as a paralegal in Abuse Law but would love to study counseling and maybe start a sober podcast with her husband Shane.
Enjoy the conversation, and thank you for listening, you ROCK!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Alcohol Explained by William Porter
Please click here if you would like to share your story on the podcast. I would be honored to meet you!
Episodes to listen to next:
Going Alcohol-Free Later in Life
You Don't Have to Skip to the Good Part of Sobriety
10 Ways to Get in the Habit of Living Alcohol-Free
Let's stay in touch!
Private Coaching