104.Sober Spring

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Hello, darling heart, and welcome to 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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With my experience and training, I now help other people with their alcohol free or drink less adventures.

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You can find out more and sign up to my 5 day drink less challenge at drinklesslivebetter.com.

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I'm here to tell you that you can relax, connect, and have fun without alcohol in your life.

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Join me here each week to find out how.

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It's spring at last and perhaps it's a sober spring.

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It's time for an Easter break or a spring break.

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A bit of time away from work, perhaps some time with family or friends.

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Beautiful weather, a time of hope, new beginnings and or belief in the future.

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Maybe traditions, perhaps it's about eating and spending time together, maybe it's religious or spiritual practices that mean

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a lot to you at this time of year.

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It could be a time of planning.

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Perhaps you're a quarter 2 kind of person, perhaps you're a season change kind of person, maybe it's the change of term at school.

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Now might be the moment that you're thinking about booking summer holidays.

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One thing that some people find tricky is around their first sober public holiday is other people.

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Well, I'm here to hold your hand if that's been you before, and let's change things for this time.

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Let's say you've got a long weekend ahead and you'd like to be alcohol free as a practice run for summer to see if you can

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manage not drinking while other people drink.

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There's never been a better time than right now.

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Here are some pointers that will help you. Number 1, prepare yourself.

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Make sure you really frame this as a positive choice to have a few alcohol free days.

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Number 2: What are you going to say to other people about this positive choice?

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Are you going to say, I'm having a break from alcohol?' Are you going to say, I'm about to start training for an event?' Or

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perhaps, I'm on a health kick?' Maybe, I'm driving this evening?' Make it about you so that the door is closed as far as possible for any comments.

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If you need to tell a little white lie then on this occasion, I'm all for it.

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Number 3, consider what you're going to gain.

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You'll be giving yourself the evidence that public holidays don't have to include alcohol, that you can get the full benefit

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of the time away from work or other commitments without feeling groggy on the other side of it.

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Number 4: enjoy the food and the celebrations without worrying or being anxious.

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Number 5, give yourself the knowledge that you are able to say you're going to do something and follow through on it.

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My first sober Easter, I enjoyed the food and the family games more than I think I ever have before.

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I always was rubbish if I drank at lunchtime and being able to take that behaviour off the table was a game changer for me. I hope that's hopeful for you.

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Happy Easter if you celebrate it and enjoy the public holes.

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Thank you so much for listening this week. Please follow me on social media.

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You'll find all the links on my website.

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Thank you for listening in today and do come back again next week. PS, I believe in

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you.