Love the idea of a sober summer without the hangovers and regrets… but just can’t imagine doing certain things without alcohol? Perhaps you have a trip coming up or a special event where you know you’ll want to drink. And you don’t want to miss out or feel deprived, right? If the thought of a sober summer makes you wince, then we need to talk about what’s going on in your brain… Watch this video for my sober summer mindset hack. Key points: Remember: your brain is a bit like Google If you type something into Google about alcohol being the key to enjoying the summer, then that’s exactly the i ..read more

If you find yourself giving in to alcohol cravings at the end of the day, you’re not alone. Maybe you promised yourself that you wouldn’t drink tonight. Or this week. Perhaps you’re in the middle of a long break from booze or you’re trying to quit for good. Choosing not to drink felt like a great idea, earlier…  but now you’re itching to open a bottle. If this sounds familiar, let me show you exactly what to do next… Key points: First: a word on cravings Cravings say nothing about you. They’re not a sign that you’re weak or destined for failure. They’re just a sign that you’re changing a ..read more

I can hardly believe it, but in just a few days’ time we’ll be halfway through 2024! Whether your year is going great or you could do with a bit of reboot, now is the perfect time to pause and reflect. Because the fact is, there are still six months left of the year and so much can happen in that time… including restarting your sobriety journey. If you need a pep talk to get back on track or a reminder that all is not lost, I hope this video will be just the boost you need. Key points: Why this is a great time to reflect and reset Some people begin the year with something like Dry January, b ..read more

If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, you’ll know the feeling of relief that comes from opening a bottle at the end of the day. As you sit there, glass in hand, it can really seem as if alcohol helps you unwind. It seems as if booze is melting that anxiety and tension away. But what if that wasn’t really the case? What if alcohol is actually making your anxiety WORSE overall… or perhaps even creating it to begin with? Let’s talk about this important topic. Key points: The trap you get into when drinking to relieve anxiety Studies show that consuming alcohol regularly can significantly wors ..read more

Have you ever noticed that whenever you’re trying to be good and not drink, social media suddenly seems full of boozy pictures? Your best friend is posting pretty pictures of cocktails… Someone else is sharing wine o’clock memes… And don’t get me started on the adverts for booze! So – is it possible to use social media and NOT feel triggered by it? I think so. And I have some practical tips to share in this week’s blog. Key points: Social media is part of life for many of us I’m going to assume you don’t want to come off social media completely. I get it – it’s part of life for many of u ..read more

“I should be able to quit drinking on my own. I’m ashamed of my drinking and ashamed that I can’t get my act together and stop this.” This email landed in my inbox over the weekend and reading it took me right back to my drinking days. Back then, the fact that I was drinking so much and couldn’t figure out how to stop felt awful. I was so ashamed. And because shame is a horrible feeling, it was never long before I’d be opening a bottle to escape and bury my head in the sand. Can you relate? This week’s video is the pep talk I so badly needed to hear on this topic years ago… so my hope is th ..read more

Picture the scene: you’re boarding the plane to fly home after a trip away somewhere sunny… You’re tanned, but you feel terrible. Days of back-to-back drinking have taken their toll… and you’re glad to be heading home to recover. If you’ve ever regretted drinking on vacation – yet you can’t picture being sober on holiday – there’s something you need to know… Key points: The cost of a boozy holiday Alcohol interrupts your sleep and makes you bloated and dehydrated. It’s unlikely you’ll fly back home feeling rested and recharged if you’ve been on a boozy holiday, drinking from lunchtime each d ..read more

I love it when famous people talk about sobriety and why they choose to be alcohol free. (So many red-carpet celebs don’t drink alcohol nowadays, it’s incredible.) The actress Anne Hathaway has shared that she’s now five years sober. Her milestone was met positively by many – but some people responded in a way that had me rolling my eyes. Let’s talk about whether someone needs to “have a problem with alcohol” in order to stop… and what YOU need to focus on here to keep your head in the right place! Key points: Anne Hathaway on why she’s sober: “The way I drink leads me to have hangovers. My ..read more

How do you talk to yourself about sobriety? Exactly what words and phrases do you use? The language you choose is important, because it sends a subconscious message to your brain about what alcohol-free living is like. Our words matter. They can set us up for success or struggle… so let’s make sure your head is filled with the good stuff. Check out this week’s video to learn more. Key points: Language matters Here are some examples of words and phrases that won’t support your sobriety: “I need to get back on the straight and narrow.” “I must start being good again.” “I’m going to knuckle d ..read more

Would you like some bad advice on how to quit drinking? How about some slightly patronising tips that won’t work for more than a day or two? When it comes to sobriety there are a lot of common but overly simplistic strategies floating around. I’m highlighting what they are so you can be aware of them – and stop blaming yourself when they don’t work… Key points: Examples of overly simplistic “tips” – “Just don’t buy wine when you’re at the supermarket. – “Don’t keep alcohol in the house.” – “Keep yourself busy at wine o’clock.” – “Don’t spend time with people who drink.” – “Always voluntee ..read more