144. A gentle start to the year

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Hello, darling heart, and welcome to this episode of the drink less, live better podcast.

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

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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.

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I'm a best selling author, expert speaker, corporate workshop facilitator, and life coach.

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

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To keep up to date, be sure to follow me on Instagram at drink less, live better, and head to the website drink less, live

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better.com, where you'll be able to sign up to the 5 day drink less experiment, find blog posts, and you can choose to join

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the email club where I share resources, wisdom, insights, and glimmers of hope and joy. I hope you enjoy this episode. Let's get straight to it.

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How to enjoy a gentle start to 2024?

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I'd like to begin by telling you I'm not focusing on any year long ambitions at this stage.

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I'm just considering a calm winter season or summer, I suppose, if you're in the southern hemisphere.

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Just because we've started a new calendar or diary, and, yes, I am still paper based, it doesn't mean we need a full road

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map right the way through the year. So what am I doing? I'm prioritising simple pleasures.

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Reading, sewing and drinking tea on the sofa. Dog softly snoring by my side.

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I'm lighting the fire, smelling the wood burn, watching the flames flicker, and hearing the comforting crackle.

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I'm embracing the micro joys, listening to my son tell the funny story of the person in front of him in the shop, laughing

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with him, and watching his lovely face.

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I'm stopping measuring my worth by what I get done.

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I'm useful and valuable just as I am.

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I don't need a fully ticked to do list to prove anything to anyone, least of all me.

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I'm not going to explain myself if I don't want to. I don't owe anyone my story.

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I'm releasing what I think other people think because I don't know what they think.

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I'm only guessing and that's not helpful.

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I'm seeking internal validation and not validation from other people. I'm practising naming my feelings.

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I've chosen to be more conscious of this.

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I use the feelings wheel to help me.

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I try to expand my emotional vocabulary.

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I try to express myself more meaningfully and carefully.

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I'm modeling something for my teenagers, and they I hope they find this useful one day.

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If prioritising simple pleasures is something you're interested in, join my rest club. We meet twice each week.

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I'll add the link to the show notes.

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Join us to read, knit, sew, paint, draw, journal, meditate, listen to music, nap, complete a jigsaw. All restful activities are welcome.

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What a beautiful way to start a new year. Thank you for listening in today. Come back again next week.

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I'd massively appreciate it if you could subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

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Well, only do that if you love it, obviously.

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If you didn't love it, you wouldn't still be listening at this point, so I think I'm safe asking for your support now.

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Check out the show notes for a link to a hidden podcast episode that will help you with your 5 PM cravings and details about

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my one to one life coaching and sober coaching programs. And, PS, I believe in you.