Dear Sober Coach:
Will Living an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle be Too Difficult?
By Sarah Williamson
Dear BF,
When I first decided to become alcohol free, I thought that there would be blood, sweat and tears for a whole year. I thought the task at hand would be hideous, and it would be hard work.
To my surprise, those concerns didn’t come to pass. There was no blood, sweat or tears shed, and here’s the shocker – there was learning, connection, fun, and joy!
As I started to drink less in preparation for going alcohol free, I read books that I previously hadn’t known existed from the genre we now call “quit lit.”
I believe these books mainly fall into two main types: science-y and memoir-y. Think about your mindset before you delve into the treasure trove of this type of literature. You can feed the part of your brain that needs information, the part that needs stories…or both!
You can find my book, Drink Less: Live Better, here: https://mybook.to/drinklesslivebetter
And you can find Alexandra McRobert’s book, Sober Yoga Girl, here: Sober Yoga Girl
Reading quit lit really helped me to see alcohol through new eyes. I was able to understand why I had been drinking like I had, and I learned how I could start to change. I bought some physical books, and I also downloaded some audiobooks, so that I could listen to them while I walked my dog.
The “drink less” or “alcohol-free” journey is supposed to feel like a joyful and positive decision, instead of a punishment. Find the books and the people that will help to support you, so that you can feel this positivity and joy.
In my early days of not drinking, being alcohol free sometimes felt a bit like a full-time job - I put a lot of my energy into it. I took the time to read and to listen, and I journaled about the thoughts that I was having. By prioritising the habit of not drinking, the decision to be alcohol free became easier and easier because I put it at the forefront of my mind. I knew that it was important, and I was able to stack up week after week without a drink because I made it a non-negotiable. The more distance that I put between me and my last drink, the better that I felt in mind, body and soul.
Do other people judge me? Maybe, maybe not. What I know for sure is that other people are not living with the consequences of my actions…so, I am the one who knows what is best for me. Can you use the same line of thinking?
Will your alcohol-free life be too difficult?I don’t think so. It’s likely to be calmer and easier in so many different ways.
Are you ready to make your life a little bit less difficult now? I really hope so!
Love, Sarah x
Meet Sarah:
Sarah has spent 15 years coaching and mentoring people who've struggled with their addictions and mental health, and she knows that choosing to change your relationship with alcohol before you hit rock bottom is a powerful and positive choice to make.
Sarah is passionate about spreading the message that our lives can be joyful and fun on the other side of our drinking careers, and there's no need to feel lonely, stressed or bored on this journey.
Find Sarah online at:
https://www.drinklesslivebetter.com
https://www.instagram.com/drinklesslivebetter
https://www.facebook.com/sarahwilliamsonofficialThe Mindful Life Magazine is created by the Mindful Life Practice. We publish the writing of our community members from our retreats, trainings, and online programs. If you want to learn more about what we do, check out www.themindfullifepractice.com !
 | A guest post by
|