These past few weeks I have been riding the wave of energy highs and lows and everything in between. I feel like I have been peeling back so many layers, rapidly changing and moving in and out of all of the stages for all that is happening collectively. It’s a lot. Let’s not forget that, ok? Right now I am allowing myself to remember that I am human and that I am allowed to feel really funky sometimes. Please remember that you are too. Holding space for ourselves doesn’t mean meditating the pain away. It means HOLDING our emotions, our discomfort, or pain. It means ALLOWING it to exist. ACCEP ..read more

Reflection on a decade of sobriety There are many things in my life that I take time to reflect on here and there. At 41, I feel like I am in this place where I can look back and see the mistakes, I have made but also can look ahead with what the future has in store for me. I guess that's what being middle-aged(ish) is. There was a time in my life I did not think I would see this age; that is, I didn't think I wanted a future. I was lost, and I almost went so far that I was gone. Today marks 10 years of sobriety for me. That's 10 years without any numbing substances. A decade. An entire decad ..read more

I have been stuck for some time now. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually bankrupt. I think for me, this is a side effect of the pandemic. Like an aftershock of an earthquake, what is baffling to me is I didn't realize it was happening until it took over entirely and engulfed me in a state of paralysis. Of course, between years of school, masterminds, and workshops, I know what to do when the water starts rising for me; I know how to break free from the storm. I have many tools in my own kit to pull out when I need to recalibrate. I also have the added benefit of having a husband who is a ..read more

One of the challenges for women who suffer from alcoholism is that while they’ve committed to stop drinking, their friends have not. This is a tough situation; there’s no minimizing the discomfort that one might feel when one is trying to avoid alcohol but it keeps showing up at friends’ get-togethers, dinners, book club meetings, holiday parties, etc… A recovery coach can help you manage these situations and provide you with the support you need to make difficult decisions. Early on in your recovery journey, you may need to refrain from attending social gatherings where alcohol is present. I ..read more

There are many signs and symptoms associated with alcohol abuse disorder. The most telling of them is an inability to stop drinking or the presence of withdrawal symptoms. Generally speaking, you may have a problem with alcohol if you experience the following signs and symptoms: Habitual cravings to drink alcohol Inability to control alcohol cravings Thinking about alcohol at work or periodically throughout the day Increased tolerance to the effects of alcohol Drinking every day Lying about drinking Drinking to cope with stress Neglecting responsibilities because of drinking Experiencing pro ..read more

In many places in the U.S., drinking alcohol is ingrained in the culture. Drinking is celebrated and many of us do it whether we’re celebrating a special occasion or simply celebrating the end of a long day. We can hardly spend ten minutes on Pinterest without encountering a recipe for a cocktail or scroll through our Facebook feed without someone referencing that it’s “wine o’clock.” Alcohol is usually on the dinner menu when we dine out and always in the grocery aisle where we steer our carts each week. As women, we may experience a complex relationship with alcohol. For one, we can drink t ..read more

Struggling with sobriety, or entering sobriety is a complicated topic. Many women feel their responsibilities are too important to seek help out, so these issues are often repressed. Some women may not come to terms with the fact they are addicted, as addiction can mask itself in many forms. The extra glass of wine, the extra pain pill, these urges continue to seem normal until they have spun out of control, or reached a boiling point. However, you are not alone, and there are many just like you. Women in recovery heal better in group settings, and by joining a community with others that have ..read more

How to build a top-5 friends list that reflects your values and priorities. When I'm having trouble determining whether or not I think another person is trustworthy, I always look at who they surround themselves with. Have you heard this phrase? “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad." The same is true of people. And, it goes both ways. The people who you are surrounded with are a reflection of your values and priorities, and if you are part of someone else's top five list - think about what that means about them ..read more

Do you dream of being YOU without the fear of being judged? I've been posting a lot about boundaries lately and people have really been responding to my messages. Things like: Declutter your life. Remove who and what doesn't fit anymore. I can't be anything to anyone if I am nothing to myself. I have a right to end draining conversations and relationships. It's OK to say NO. It's not my job to fix or take responsibility for others. The only person responsible for putting your feelings first is you. Do any of these resonate with you? Because my mission is to help and empower women, I've ..read more

How would you say you are “with money”? Some of us are big spenders and not so good with saving money. It doesn’t stay in our pockets too long, right? If we have it, we spend it. The future will provide somehow. Others of us like to keep our money in the bank and get pretty stressed out about any little expenditure. What if something terrible happens and we need money one day? What if Social Security runs out, we live to be 95 and if we don’t have enough money we will end up in some state-run facility? What if one of us gets sick and insurance doesn’t pay for it? What if, what if, what if. I ..read more