Maureen Staloch Coaching

8 reasons to go alcohol-free this holiday ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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👀Core Memories: What do you want your family’s core memories to be? Forget about Santa, your kids are watching and know when you’re drunk. Help make their core memories special by showing up for them as your best sober self. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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🎁Less brain fog: Do you hide your Christmas gifts before wrapping them? Without the alcohol-induced brain fog, you’ll actually remember where you put the stash and eliminate that awkward moment of finding yourself one gift short. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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💃🏼No hangovers or shameovers: Not only is there plenty of HoHoHo this time of year, my birthday lands right in the middle of December. I had too many post birthday mornings filled with regret from things I said or did the night before. Now there is nothing like partying like it’s your birthday and knowing you’ll feel great in the morning. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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🎅🏼🍪🥛Increased energy: Without your body working overtime to break down the toxins of alcohol, your energy will get a boost. You’ll have plenty of power to find the perfect gifts, fill all the stockings and lay out cookies for Santa. You know those kiddos are going to be up at the crack of dawn! ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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📋✅✅Decrease stress and anxiety: Alcohol increases your cortisol levels and can make you feel doubly anxious the morning after drinking. With all of the hustle and bustle, making your list and checking it twice, give your body a break and skip the drinks. I promise no one will care if you don’t have a glass of wine at the party. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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🦢Restorative sleep: No need to worry about the 3am alcohol wake up call messing with your REM sleep. Keep dreaming about those swans a-swimming! ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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👿Fewer foot in your mouth moments: With office parties and family gatherings, your chance of saying something you regret goes up if you're drinking. Keep your brain’s prefrontal cortex online by going alcohol free; you will temper your impulsivity, maintain your cool and avoid becoming a Scrooge. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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🤶🏻Sober Santa: Save your UBER bucks and still give yourself the gift of safety. Whether it is friends or family, your passengers are precious cargo. I’m delighted to be your Rudolph anytime! ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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❤️FYI, these are real life examples of past experiences and how my holidays have improved without alcohol.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the “joy” of the holidays?⁣⁣
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This time of year, there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season.⁣⁣
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Office parties.⁣⁣
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Secret Santa exchanges.⁣⁣
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Family gatherings on your side.⁣⁣
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Family gatherings on your partner’s side.⁣⁣
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End of the year blowouts.⁣⁣
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And guess who the favorite guest is at each of these gatherings?⁣⁣
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Alcohol.⁣⁣
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If you find yourself secretly dreading the festive frenzy but can’t seem to pass up the champagne, let me offer you a mindset shift to fully savor the beauty of the season.⁣⁣
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☺️ No matter how awkward you may feel in the moment, trade alcohol at the office party for a heartfelt conversation with a co-worker you don’t know well. You might be surprised by the connection you make or the impact a simple act of kindness can have on someone feeling the weight of the season.⁣⁣
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☕ Fill your tumbler with herbal tea instead of spiced rum. Your immune system will benefit, and your head will thank you in the morning.⁣⁣
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🧘🏼‍♀️ Whether it is your chosen family or blood relatives, time together without alcohol makes for fewer foot-in-the-mouth moments and increased patience when your buttons may be pushed. After all, being surrounded by the people you love is a priceless gift.⁣⁣
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💫 Practicing mindfulness in these small alcohol-free moments allows for the true joy of the season to shine upon you and others.⁣⁣
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How will you celebrate the joy of the season without alcohol?

What song comes to mind when you see this picture?⁣⁣
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🎶Don’t go chasing waterfalls…🎶⁣⁣
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Although this iconic 1995 hit by TLC is super poppy, its subject matter is pretty dark.⁣⁣
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The song is actually a cautionary tale about self-destructive behaviors.⁣⁣
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The full chorus goes, “Don’t go chasing waterfalls, please stick to the rivers and lakes you’re used to. Some interpretations of these lyrics suggest that chasing after waterfalls might lead you to fall off the cliff because you’ve gone too far.⁣⁣
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Let me offer my perspective by flipping the script: same subject matter, but a positive twist.⁣⁣
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In my own experience, sticking to the rivers and the lakes I knew would have kept me in a toxic relationship with alcohol.⁣⁣
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My rivers looked like consuming two or more glasses of wine every night and waking up feeling terrible, filled with self-loathing due to my lack of self-control and anxiety through the roof.⁣⁣
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My lakes resembled life on autopilot, lacking the awareness to address the emotional aspects of why I was drinking. It was an endless cycle of feeling bad, drinking to feel better, and ultimately feeling worse.⁣⁣
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I was sick of what I was used to. I wanted a different way.⁣⁣
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So I set out to chase my waterfall– a sober-curious life full of clarity, freedom, and self-confidence.⁣⁣
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In these fresh waters of an alcohol-free lifestyle, I found everything I needed to live a life I love.⁣⁣
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If I had stuck with the rivers and lakes I was used to, I would surely have gone over the edge.⁣⁣
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Reach out if you’re stuck in a cycle of alcohol that no longer serves you.⁣⁣
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I’m here to help you chase your waterfall. 🤍

Another ACL in the books!⁣
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My husband and I attended the first Austin City Limits music festival 21 years ago with our 9-month-old baby. We sat under a massive oak tree in the park, our sweet son on a blanket between us, and soaked in the music and people-watching.⁣
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Oh, how things have changed! That low-key event in 2002 has turned into a massive festival showcasing some of the country’s best musical acts. I am continually in awe of the effort and the logistics required to make it happen every year.⁣
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As we wrapped up the first weekend of ACL 2023 Sunday night, I was undeniably tired and feeling my age. You might have spotted me; I was the one at the front of the crowd at Mumford and Sons with my fingers in my ears, regretting that I skipped the earplugs. That didn’t stop me, though. I sang at the top of my lungs and danced and jumped throughout the whole show with our now-adult sons and nephews. My calves were mad at me this morning, but my heart was full.⁣
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The crowds, the music, the fashion and my stamina are not the only notable changes.⁣
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Lo and behold, I found a dedicated mocktail concession area. 🙌⁣
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You know the Sober Curious movement is here to stay when you can ‘rock on’ with a non-alcoholic beverage in hand! 🎸⁣
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Keep going, beautiful sober curious friends! We are seen and supported. We’ve got this! 💪⁣

I’m starting my Joy Stack today with this little rainbow surprise during my morning coffee.⁣⁣⁣
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Joy Stacking is a practice I devised to elevate my appreciation of the small, but big things in my life. It is similar to the popular idea of habit stacking. The concept is to start with one little moment of joy and add another, and another…⁣⁣⁣
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In Atomic Habits, author James Clear talks about habit stacking as a way to link a new habit you want to create with an existing one, leveraging established neural pathways for better integration.⁣⁣⁣
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Building on this definition, Joy Stacking encourages us to consciously seek out moments of joy in our day. These simple pleasures build upon one another creating a mindset shift that can contribute significantly to our overall sense of well-being.⁣⁣⁣
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Being mindful of one little rainbow surprise can lead to a day, a week, and ultimately a life of joy.⁣⁣⁣
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Joyful pleasures are scattered all around, waiting for our recognition and appreciation. It's a conscious choice we make to weave them into the fabric of our day, or let them pass by unnoticed.⁣⁣⁣
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What moment started your Joy Stack today?⁣⁣⁣
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Share below so we can all celebrate life’s little treasures.⁣⁣⁣

Where are my w**d pullers?⁣⁣
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We spent the weekend at our cabin in Minnesota, getting things cleaned up and winterized for the freezing temperatures just a few short weeks away.⁣⁣
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I happily chose pulling w**ds as my project. Truth be told, I have a strange obsession with w**ding.⁣⁣
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Don't be confused. I do not have a green thumb. I am not a gardener. Just a w**d puller.⁣⁣
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What might seem like a chore to some people is one of my favorite sources of dopamine and provides instant gratification.⁣⁣
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I realized that since giving up alcohol over three years ago, I had discovered many positive alternatives to the dopamine hits I was craving from alcohol.⁣⁣
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For instance, spending time in nature and green spaces reduces my stress and enhances my mental clarity.⁣⁣
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Gardening activities like w**d pulling promote mindfulness, providing a calming and grounding experience.⁣⁣
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This gradual, long-lasting dopamine rise from nature starkly contrasts the surge and crash of alcohol consumption.⁣⁣
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While alcohol offers temporary euphoria and relaxation, it is often followed by a sharp drop in dopamine levels, leading to anxiety and depression.⁣⁣
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Where do you get your dopamine hits?⁣⁣
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Here are a few examples of positive alternatives to the artificial high of alcohol:⁣⁣
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🏃‍♀️ Any form of exercise – Move your body!⁣⁣
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🥾 Hiking – Nature and movement make this a rich source of dopamine and mental health benefits.⁣⁣
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🛏️ Simply making your bed – This sense of accomplishment first thing in the morning is a great foundation to start your day.⁣⁣
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🎧 Music – Listening to your favorite tunes can trigger a release of dopamine and positively impact your mood.⁣⁣
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📝 Creative expression – Writing/Journaling, painting, drawing, crafting – all are positive outlets.⁣⁣
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👩‍🌾 Pulling w**ds! If you don't have a garden, you can borrow mine.⁣⁣
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Share your favorite sources of authentic dopamine hits in the comments below.

On the other side of discomfort is growth. ⁣⁣
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🤔Think about it. ⁣⁣
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💪 How uncomfortable are the first couple of workouts when getting in shape? But after a few weeks, those weights aren’t as heavy, are they?⁣⁣
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🙌 Mel Robbins says, "Growth is painful, but nothing is as painful as staying somewhere you don't belong." ⁣⁣
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👣 This was especially true for me before I started my sober curious journey. ⁣⁣
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🔎 I knew I wanted out of the alcohol culture I lived in, but honestly, I could not see myself on the other side. ⁣⁣
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✅ Committing to changing my relationship with alcohol was a profound act of self-discovery. ⁣⁣
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🕊️ Yes, it comes with challenges, but remember, the discomfort of growth is nothing compared to the discomfort of remaining in a space that no longer serves you. ⁣⁣
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✨What is on the other side of discomfort for you? ⁣⁣
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Drop your answer in the comments below.

Are you conforming to the culture of alcohol? ⁣⁣
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What would your life look like without it? ⁣⁣
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Although you might think life without alcohol would be boring and uncomfortable, it is just the opposite. ⁣⁣
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Here are just a few benefits of a sober curious lifestyle. ⁣⁣
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💤 Better sleep⁣⁣
☺️ Better skin⁣⁣
✨ Increased mental clarity and focus⁣⁣
⚡Increased energy⁣⁣
💪🏻 Increased self confidence⁣⁣
🧘🏼‍♀️ Less stress⁣⁣
🤝 Deeper relationships ⁣⁣
🥰 Self love⁣⁣
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DM me if you're interested in learning more about living a life you love without alcohol.

Last weekend was an emotional whirlwind as we dropped off our younger son at college. The joy of seeing him begin this new chapter was mixed with the echo of a heavy term- “Empty Nester.”⁣
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When we returned home, the quiet moments in our empty house were deafening and sometimes caught me breathless. ⁣
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Thankfully, I was prepared for these emotions.⁣
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Through my sober curious journey and my coaching experience, I know the best way to get through an emotion is to fully:⁣
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✨ Embrace it.⁣
✨ Lean into it.⁣
✨ Allow it.⁣
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Before exploring my life without alcohol, I would have seen this “emptiness” as an opportunity to fill the void with chardonnay. This would have only exacerbated my indulgent emotions and made me feel worse.⁣
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Come to find out, the liminal space between emotion and how we respond to that emotion is where we find our power.⁣
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It isn’t an empty void looking to be filled. It is an opportunity for growth, self-reflection, and appreciation.⁣
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After I gave myself the time I needed to feel sad and a bit lonesome, my heart started to fill. ⁣
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🙌 With gratitude: I gave thanks for the gift of my incredible sons. They have infused our home with love, joy, music, and abundant male energy.⁣
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🥹 With pride: They are both on their way, making a difference in the world with the art they create and the kindness in their hearts.⁣
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🤗 With excitement. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them- to see them fully embody who they are becoming. (And I’m not gonna lie, I’m excited for parent’s weekend.)⁣
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😌 With peace. I could breathe again.⁣
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To all the parents beginning their “Empty Nester” era, don’t push back, fight, or try to buffer your emotions. You’ll find yourself on the other side of this valley much faster and with more grace if you allow yourself to feel it all.⁣
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You’re okay. Breathe.⁣
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DM me if you want help navigating your empty nest without numbing or buffering your emotions.

The surprising way I experience triggers in sobriety (as someone who’s been alcohol free since April 2020) ✨⁣⁣
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The word trigger is commonly used in mental health circles. ⁣⁣
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It’s the action or situation that bounces someone back into whatever state they are trying to overcome, like; Anxiety, anorexia, addiction, or anger management.⁣⁣
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People in recovery from addiction are aware of their potential triggers and know to avoid them.⁣⁣
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For me, I’m not triggered to drink. I can be in any setting and no longer have the desire for alcohol. I don’t plan my outings, vacations, or dinners to avoid a potential trigger location.⁣⁣
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But what I find so interesting is that I am still triggered by memories. ⁣⁣
I feel intense shame when I’m around someone, even a random person who has had too much to drink. Not because I am judging them but because it unlocks painful memories of times when I have overindulged and acted poorly.⁣⁣
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While I may no longer want to have a drink when I’m around alcohol, I do still experience strong emotions around those memories that tend to be brought to the forefront of my mind.⁣⁣
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In these moments, I focus on the intense gratitude I feel for my success in giving up alcohol and let go of the shame that does not serve me now. ⁣⁣
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Have you ever experienced an unexpected trigger on your path to sobriety that led to shame or brought up painful memories? Drop a 🤍 if you can relate.

❌ Cancel your subscription. ⁣⁣⁣
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⏰ I spent 3 hours the other day going through my credit card statements and canceling subscriptions I didn’t want. Why had I let these companies withdraw a monthly fee when I didn’t even want or use their products? Apparently, I’m a sucker for workout apps and skin care products.⁣⁣⁣
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🏃‍♀️ Life moves fast, and sometimes we neglect to examine where our valuable resources are going. It's not just about time and money; it goes deeper into the realm of energy, self-confidence, and overall well-being.⁣⁣⁣
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💁‍♀️ Subconsciously we tend to subscribe to beliefs, convinced that we must conform to society's predefined molds about things we “need.” ⁣⁣⁣
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🍷 Before my sober curious journey, I used my relationship with alcohol to fit the mold of a lifestyle I thought I needed. I was lured into the deception that alcohol was the key to improving all aspects of my life.⁣⁣⁣
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🆗 I subscribed to the culture of alcohol because I thought it made me:⁣⁣⁣
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🆒 Part of the cool kids. More fun. More outgoing. More relaxed. Just more.⁣⁣⁣
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🙅‍♀️ None of these things were true.⁣⁣⁣
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🤯 Once I unsubscribed, I could see that these beliefs were holding me back. Much like the unnecessary subscriptions to fitness apps and skin care products, I realized I was squandering my precious resources on something that restricted me rather than contributing to my desired growth.⁣⁣⁣
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🤔 Where are your resources flowing? Could it be that you're investing too much self-respect, well-being, and authenticity in alcohol?⁣⁣⁣
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Perhaps it's time to cancel that subscription and redirect your focus toward a more rewarding path. 💫⁣⁣⁣
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DM me for more information on the remarkable return on investment of a sober curious life—genuine connections, heartfelt laughter, and a profound understanding of your true self. ✨⁣⁣⁣

😎 Sober Summer Vibes⁣⁣
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In the summer of 2019, my husband and I decided to try 100 days alcohol-free. I was truly frightened by this idea and was unsure I could do it. But the very fact that it seemed impossible made me want it even more. I needed this lifestyle shift both mentally and physically.⁣⁣
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After the first 30 days, I slowly settled into a new rhythm. I discovered these 5 benefits of a sober summer that you can experience too!⁣⁣
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1️⃣ Clarity and Presence: Free from the haze of alcohol, clarity, and presence returns to our lives. Our minds become sharper, and we can fully engage in the beauty of the present moment. Summer is the perfect time to savor the sights, sounds, and experiences with heightened awareness.⁣⁣
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2️⃣ Authentic Connections: When we're not reliant on alcohol, we connect with others on a deeper level. We build genuine connections based on shared interests, values, and passions. Conversations are heartfelt, laughter is real, and memories are actually remembered.⁣⁣
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3️⃣ Empowerment and Self-Discovery: By actually feeling our emotions instead of buffering them with alcohol, we unearth our true strength and sense of self. We become the architects of our lives, stepping into all of our potential. Uncovering what’s under the chardonnay allows us a deeper relationship with ourselves.⁣⁣
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4️⃣ Health and Well-Being: A sober summer allows us to prioritize our health and well-being. Sleep improves. Energy levels increase. Overall vitality is enhanced. Our bodies are no longer working overtime to release the toxins of alcohol, making room for nourishing activities like yoga, hiking, and mindful walks.⁣⁣
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5️⃣ Freedom and Liberation: Choosing a sober summer allows us to break free from the societal pressures and expectations surrounding alcohol. We release ourselves from dependence and embrace a life of authenticity. Embrace the freedom to live a life you love without needing alcohol to define your experiences.⁣⁣
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Drop a 😎 if you’re down for some sober summer vibes.

Sometimes your journey to a sober curious life isn’t a straight path. ⁣
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There might be a lot of starts and stops along the way. ⁣
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Ask for help. Find your team. You don’t have to do it alone. ⁣
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It's possible to get to the other side and live a life you love without alcohol.

Is it time to clear out a “room” in your “house?”⁣⁣
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I often recall something my therapist said to me when I was making a career change and wasn’t sure what to do next. It pops into my mind at the most random times. ⁣⁣
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She said, “Sometimes you just need to clear out the room to see how you want to redecorate it.” Such good advice. ⁣⁣
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So often, we get used to seeing something the way it is now that we miss the potential for what it could be. Some simple decluttering does the trick.⁣⁣
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In my final chapter of drinking, I knew I wanted to change my relationship with alcohol, but I couldn’t imagine my life as a non-drinker. ⁣⁣
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Alcohol is engrained in the very fabric of our culture. Sporting events. Birthday celebrations. Weddings. Vacation. Happy hours. Dinners out. Dinners in. Bad days. Good days… ⁣⁣
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I was stuck in a cycle of not wanting to drink but drinking anyway because that’s what we do! I would wake up in the morning and swear I wouldn’t drink that night. But the cycle just continued. I knew it was time to clear out my room. ⁣⁣
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This proverbial room my therapist mentioned was packed with bottles of chardonnay, social events centered around drinking, and a litany of excuses for why I wouldn’t be able to live alcohol-free. ⁣⁣
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Excuses like: ⁣⁣
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“Life won’t be any fun if I can’t drink. It will be so hard when everyone else is drinking. I need alcohol to make me more social. Alcohol helps relieve my stress.”⁣⁣
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But guess what happened when I finally cleared the clutter alcohol created in my life?⁣⁣
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I got to be intentional about how I filled that space. ⁣⁣
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Now that “room” is filled with:⁣⁣
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☕️ Peaceful Sunday mornings with the perfect cup of coffee instead of nursing a hangover.⁣⁣
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🫶 Genuine connection with people instead of alcohol-influenced interactions. ⁣⁣
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😴 Crazy good sleep. ⁣⁣
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🧘🏼‍♀️Significantly reduced anxiety. ⁣⁣
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💪🏻 Renewed self-confidence, knowing I can handle any situation without a drink.⁣⁣
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Would removing alcohol from your life make room for more of what you truly desire?

Have you ever wondered, “Am I an alcoholic?”⁣⁣⁣
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I have. As I got closer to going all in on a sober curious lifestyle, my questions about drinking sounded more like, “How would my life improve if I quit drinking?”⁣⁣⁣
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Why do you have to be diagnosed as an alcoholic to change your relationship with alcohol? So much bias and negativity is tied up in this word that it prevents people from breaking free from alcohol.⁣⁣⁣
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Here’s the thing. I didn’t hit rock bottom. I didn’t get a DWI. I didn’t have to go to rehab or label myself an alcoholic. I just acquiesced to the fact that my relationship with alcohol no longer aligned with what I wanted for myself, my marriage, and my family.⁣⁣⁣
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Did my life improve once I quit drinking? In so many ways!⁣⁣⁣
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I sleep like a baby now. No more 3:00 am alcohol alarm with thoughts from the previous night swirling in my head.⁣⁣⁣
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The energy! I was a regular napper most of my life. I thought I had the “superpower nap gene” or something. I could fall asleep anywhere and fast! While I still love an indulgent snooze occasionally, I no longer need it.⁣⁣⁣
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My stress and anxiety levels have come way down. And when a stressful circumstance appears, it’s no longer a “Code Red.” My ability to allow, process, and release these negative emotions has made this possible.⁣⁣⁣
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I could go on for hours sharing how my life and my clients’ lives have improved without alcohol, both physically and mentally.⁣⁣⁣
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After 100 days in my Live Sober Curious program, you too will experience the three benefits above.⁣⁣⁣
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You will also understand the basic brain science behind drinking alcohol and why it feels so challenging to give it up.⁣⁣⁣
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You will experience a clarity you probably haven’t felt in years.⁣⁣⁣
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You will learn techniques to beat the urge to drink; something willpower has not been able to give you.⁣⁣⁣
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If you ask yourself similar questions and long for similar results, please DM me and we can discuss it further.⁣⁣⁣
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Isn’t it worth considering how your life would improve if you drank less or not at all?

"I am so hungover."⁣⁣
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Something I said way too many times when I was drinking. ⁣⁣
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Something I haven't said in over 3 years.⁣⁣
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Something I'll never say again. ⁣⁣
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Drop a 🤍 if you can relate.