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,...
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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...
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The Benefits of Staying Sober When You're Alone
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 292 I enjoyed drinking alone, and I know that being alone can be a challenge when you stop drinking. Whether you live alone or find drinking alone an enjoyable “reward,” but you don’t want to continue drinking, this episode is for you. Today, I’m answering a question from a To 50 and Beyond listener, Kim, as part of my six-week Q&A series. Kim sent me an email saying: I go about 30 days without drinking but find it hard to keep it going, mainly because I live alone. No one will know if I drink, so I often give in and tell myself—I’ll have just a...
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Wondering if Your Drinking Isn't "Bad Enough" to Quit?
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 291 Today, I’m answering the question: What if my drinking isn’t “bad enough” to quit? I’ve heard this question from midlife women for years and asked myself this question for two years. f you are on the verge of going alcohol-free but aren’t 100% certain that your drinking is at a place where you “need” to remove alcohol completely, this is the episode for you. Even though my drinking was considered “bad enough” to quit on paper and in my heart, it didn’t mean that I stopped. For two years, I tried to justify and compare my drinking to others whose drinking...
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The Hardest Part of Getting Sober
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
If you have a question you would like answered on the podcast, Episode 290 If you are a gal in midlife who is questioning her drinking and having a hard time getting sober, I’m with you. In this episode, I answer a client's question: What was the hardest part of getting sober for you? After she asked me this question, I didn’t hesitate. The hardest part for me was deciding to stop drinking. I spent two years feeling stuck in decision fatigue and putting in lots of effort to make alcohol work. On August 11, 2013, I decided to go all in on what I wanted more than drinking alcohol. In this...
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Living With the Regret of My Drinking as a Mom
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 289 Hey there, friend! This episode comes straight from my heart and is for the moms and grandmas of the world who feel regretful about their drinking. I share what becoming a mom was like, how I started drinking the day I came home from the hospital, and why I quit drinking for myself, not my son, but stay sober for him today. I also talk about how I'm living with the regret of my drinking as a mom. In honor of Mother's Day and where I am today on my motherhood road, I wanted to talk about this topic to let you know you are not alone. My favorite...
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The Daily Sobriety Toolkit to Help You Stay Alcohol-Free
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Bonus episode Hello friend! I'm popping in today to share with you a new free resource I created, The Daily Sobriety Toolkit. I'm so excited to share this toolkit with you! The Daily Sobriety Toolkit is your trusted companion to help you plan your day and stay connected to the reason why you are choosing yourself over alcohol today. Not forever. You can grab your toolkit Thank you for listening! I will be on a break until May 8, 2024. See you back here then. Do you need extra support in going and staying alcohol-free? Learn more about my community,...
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How Alcohol Affects Hormones During Menopause with Dr. Dawn Bantel
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 288 I first came across Dr. Dawn’s Instagram account and was immediately drawn to her passion for helping others and the way she teaches and shares her wisdom - which is why I reached out to invite her back to the podcast to help us understand more about what hormones are the hormones that are the key players during menopause and how alcohol affects our hormones during this time. Dr. Dawn is a Naturopathic physician with extensive experience in the treatment of substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, and is doing work in ketamine therapy, which she...
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Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder with Sarah Rusbatch
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 286 I invited to the podcast to talk about Alcohol Use Disorder and share how alcohol impacts women as we get older. Sarah is a Gray Area Drinking and Menopause coach, as well as the author of the book Sarah and I discuss the importance of addressing alcohol use disorder for women in midlife, exploring coping mechanisms, societal pressures, challenges, and the benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle. We also talk about the effects of alcohol during perimenopause and how to emphasize self-care, empowerment, and building resilience for those contemplating reducing alcohol intake....
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