Q & A: When Does Sobriety Stop Being So Hard?
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Release Date: 06/19/2024
Thoughts on Alcohol and Leaving it in 2024
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 312 I got behind the mic this week to reflect openly on alcohol to encourage you to leave it in 2024 if you're tired of what alcohol brings into your life. As we wrap up 2024, I want you to know that if you're living alcohol-free, I'm celebrating with you. If you're working on freeing yourself from alcohol, I'm inspired by your perseverance. And if you're at that crossroads wondering which way to turn, just know that questioning your relationship with alcohol is the first step to change. You can do this. I'm with you. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your...
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Hypnotherapy as a Tool During Dry January
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
When you are ready to take a drink break, you should explore different tools to see what works for you. I appreciate innovative approaches to lifestyle changes, which is why I invited Silvia Subirana, today's guest, to share her expertise. As a clinical psychologist and Head of Content Development at Silvia brings a unique perspective to transforming our relationship with alcohol. During her university years in Spain, unlike many of her peers who were embracing the typical college party culture, Silvia made the conscious decision to quit drinking. This early experience gave her valuable...
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What Are You Waiting For? A Compassionate Approach
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 310 What Are You Waiting For? A question and episode that comes with a compassionate approach and encouragement to help you get a clear understanding of what is holding you back from going alcohol-free. Asking this question isn’t about the urgency to hurry things up and stop drinking. It’s about being honest with yourself and easing your mind if you’re worried about your drinking and pressuring yourself to quit. I share what I was waiting for: a “normal” relationship with alcohol. When I realized this didn’t exist, I chose to stop drinking. It’s not an easy choice...
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The Alcohol-Free Lifestyle with Lindsay Sutherland Boal
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 309 Is living alcohol-free for you? My guest in episode 309 is Lindsay Sutherland Boal, a trailblazer in the sobriety community who shares insights into the meaning of an alcohol-free lifestyle and what it takes and doesn’t take to create a lifestyle that alcohol can’t touch. You will love this episode if you are on the fence about going alcohol-free. Lindsay Sutherland Boal is the visionary founder of The Uncovery App, a groundbreaking platform that redefines how women approach changing their relationship with alcohol. Unlike traditional sobriety...
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You Deserve to Stay Alcohol-Free This Holiday
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
In this episode, I share a heartfelt message on staying alcohol-free during the holidays. I know it's not an easy thing to do, which makes you a bada** in my eyes. From my personal experience of quitting drinking in 2013, I discuss how to handle holiday triggers, create new associations, and honor your choice to stay alcohol-free. Whether this is your first sober holiday or you're beyond that, you'll learn practical strategies to navigate celebrations while staying true to yourself. Key topics covered: Understanding and preparing for holiday triggers Creating a simple plan to...
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Break Free From People Pleasing with Karen Ehman
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 307 As a lifelong people pleaser who frequently works with many women—many of whom also tend to please others and drink as a way to cope with their feelings—I reached out to Karen after discovering her insightful book, Karen Ehman is a New York Times bestselling author, a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker, a contributing writer for Encouragement for Today online devotions, and a teacher in the First 5 Bible study app which has over 2 million daily users. She has written 19 books and Bible studies, including Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at...
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Navigating Why Aren't You Drinking?
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 306 Hello there. I'm happy you're here. I'm cheering for you always. In this episode, I help you navigate the often dreaded question: Why aren't you drinking? Here are some key points to help you handle this situation with confidence: Recognize and validate your fear or discomfort about being asked this question. Stay focused on your reasons for not drinking. Your why-power is stronger than any awkwardness you might feel. Before attending an event, consider if it aligns with your values and if you truly want to go. Practice your response: Prepare a simple, honest...
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Escaping Without Drinking Alcohol
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 305 Hello friend! I'm so happy you're here. Thank you for listening to To 50 and Beyond. Do you remember the from the 1970s? In it, the gal was stressed at the end of her day and said, "Calgon, take me away!" This episode is about our desire to escape from daily life stressors. It's a natural human experience. If we don't practice escaping, we let our stressors fester, which can lead to drinking alcohol. In this episode, I share my thoughts on "creating a life you don't need to escape" and why it's essential to have an "escape plan" that helps you...
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Realizations From Midlife Women After They Stopped Drinking
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 304 Hello! I'm glad you're here. Today, we're diving into a topic that's been on my mind for a while - the realizations women have after they stop drinking. This isn't just about the good stuff, though. We're going to talk about the hard parts too. I want to give you a peek inside what it's really like to go alcohol-free later in life. It's not always easy, and it's not always fun. But it's real, and it's important. Whether you're struggling to stay alcohol-free or finding life without alcohol to be a mix of rewarding and awkward, you're not alone. The realizations... It's...
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A Reset For Midway Through a 30 Day Break From Alcohol
To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women
Episode 303 Hello there! Are you halfway through a 30-day break from alcohol and feeling like you need a reset? You're not alone! In this episode, I'll share encouragement and practical tips to help you refocus and make the most of the remaining 15 days. We'll explore the importance of self-compassion, reconnecting with your 'why', and strategies to overcome common challenges. Plus, I'll guide you through a heart-storming exercise to reignite your motivation and clarify your goals. Whether you're participating in Sober October or taking a personal break, this episode is designed to...
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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, we all face a challenge when we quit, but we don’t all feel the same way.
Here is the good news - if you are going alcohol-free today, you have many wonderful resources that offer hope and support, from in-person groups to online. It’s a GREAT time to get sober in midlife and in this day and age.
I’m here to give you hope and suggestions to help you through the hard moments.
Always remember that time is your best friend when it comes to overcoming challenges in early sobriety. Be patient with yourself.
What you’ll hear:
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Why it’s important to stay in your lane and not compare your sobriety to anyone else.
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The importance of having realistic expectations about the time it takes to recover.
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Strategies to help you through the hard parts of early sobriety and beyond.
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Why physical activity and music can change your attitude and mood in a short amount of time.
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How to implement creative outlets like gardening, creating vision boards, and doing puzzles to keep you occupied during moments when you want to drink but want to stay sober.
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The importance of finding a supportive community that keeps you on track, inspired, and motivated.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Daily Sobriety Toolkit
Join Team Alcohol-Free
Q & A Series
The Hardest Part of Getting Sober
Wondering if Your Drinking Isn’t “Bad Enough” to Quit?