194. 3 strategies for the season

-: 00:11

Hello darling heart, and welcome to this episode of the Drink Less Live Better podcast.

-: 00:15

This is my 3rd attempt at recording this episode today.

-: 00:19

The first attempt, I did not have the microphone plugged in.

-: 00:29

The second attempt, I had stuffed up my settings on the laptop and couldn't hear the recording even though I did have the microphone plugged in.

-: 00:33

I'm really hoping this attempt is the one.

-: 00:40

This podcast helps you to see that drinking less doesn't need to be stressful, lonely, or boring.

-: 00:44

However, life will sometimes still be stressful.

-: 00:52

I'm your host, Sarah Williamson, and I decided to have a year alcohol free as a little life experiment and haven't looked back.

-: 00:56

I'm here to support you with your alcohol free or drink less adventures.

-: 01:00

Follow me on Instagram at drink less, live better.

-: 01:07

Find resources on my website, drink less, live better.com, and buy my book, drink less, live better.

-: 01:10

It's available in all the places you might purchase a book.

-: 01:20

It would make a lovely Christmas gift for yourself or maybe for someone you know. I hope you enjoy today's episode. Let's get straight to it.

-: 01:25

Today, I'd like to share 3 strategies for drinking less at Christmas.

-: 01:34

Number 1, and this sounds counterintuitive, I know, but bear with me, Arrive early.

-: 01:42

If you're meeting for drinks in the pub or a bar, get there 5 minutes early and order your alcohol free drink.

-: 01:50

Have something in your hand so that as people offer to get you a drink, you can say, no thank you. I've got one.

-: 01:56

You can order a tonic and allow people to think it's a g and t if that's what they need to believe.

-: 02:05

Of course, you can order and drink whatever you like, and you won't owe anybody else an explanation, any kind of reason.

-: 02:09

You're allowed to drink what you want to drink on a night out.

-: 02:15

Number 2, designate yourself as the bar runner or drinks host.

-: 02:22

If you're at someone's house, you can top everyone else's drinks up for them whilst keeping your own drink alcohol free.

-: 02:29

If you're having other people around to your house, maybe have it in the morning, and then you can be in charge of pouring

-: 02:36

all of the wonderful tea, coffee, chai, water, juice, whatever you choose to serve.

-: 02:44

Number 3, take a moment before the event or party to question why you might be feeling like you need a drink.

-: 02:55

If it's because you're anxious, overwhelmed, or nervous, can you think of another coping strategy or tool other than alcohol to help you through?

-: 03:04

Maybe you didn't even want to go to the party in the first place, and perhaps protecting yourself by saying, I'm sorry.

-: 03:07

I'm now unavailable to come, might help you.

-: 03:17

Coming to a place of awareness and acceptance around your alcohol consumption often takes some learning, and that's okay. Normal even.

-: 03:27

I decided I was going to change my relationship with alcohol in June 2017, and two and a half years later in December 2019

-: 03:31

was when I started my year long alcohol free experiment.

-: 03:35

Are you up for a year long alcohol free experiment?

-: 03:38

See the show notes for ways to work with me.

-: 03:48

I can support you with that ambition. 15 years plus in coaching and mentoring, substance and alcohol use and misuse, plus

-: 03:53

my own Lyft experience will stand you and I in good stead together, my friend.

-: 04:03

You can check out the show notes for a link to a hidden podcast episode that will help you with your 5 PM cravings and any o'clock cravings over Christmas.

-: 04:12

You'll also find details about my one to one life coaching and sober coaching programs, and, PS, I believe in you.