83. Who am I sober?

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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 drink less live better.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. Who am I sober?

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Now I don't drink, I've had to confront some truths.

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Some of them have been comfortable, some have been comfortable over time, and some, well, they are still uncomfortable.

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Deciding to have a year alcohol free threw me into a bit of an identity crisis.

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I was okay about changing my home drinking identity, but really struggled with my socializing identity.

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Shared boozy experiences were a big part of my life and of who I was.

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I ended up piecing together a new identity over time.

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I reflected not on only on who I had been but also on who I wanted to be in the future.

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I took time to explore what I enjoyed and also consciously began to move away from activities I had stopped enjoying.

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I also looked more closely at my relationships.

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Who did I want to see more of and who did I need to move away from a bit?

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Some of the most surprising supports came from the least expected places.

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I discovered that chaos had been a default position for so long that calmness was too unfamiliar to start with.

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I had to find a way to move slowly towards the peace that I wanted.

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I have now accepted that some friendships have changed, some have stayed the same, and I've also made many new friends since becoming sober and a business owner.

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Sometimes other people will say things to me about my choice not to drink, and mostly I find that okay now. Who am I sober?

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I'm just someone who chooses not to drink alcohol.

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I want it to be the least interesting thing about me. Who am I sober?

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I am an improved version of myself, more relaxed, more peaceful, more patient, kinder and more content.

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These were not words I would have used to describe myself when I was drinking. Chaos reigned. Who am I sober?

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Well, probably the most surprising thing for me is to find myself working as a coach.

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I'd spent 12 years working in youth offending, a large proportion of my time was spent talking to young people about their

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substance use without ever considering my own.

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When I had got sober, completed my coaches, trainings and certifications, I couldn't believe what I had achieved.

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None of this seemed possible a short time ago.

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I love the one to 1, 3 month programme I work with my clients on.

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I get to know them so well.

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I'm interested in their stories, their beliefs, and I'm excited by the changes they are ready to make in their lives. Who are they sober?

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I just cannot wait to find out.

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You can check out the show notes on this podcast or any other episode.

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You'll find details about the drink less, live better 20 23 retreat.

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You'll see the link to a hidden podcast episode to help you with your 5 PM cravings, and you'll be able to read about my one to 1 coaching program.

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I'd love it if you could follow and download the podcast, and if you feel inclined to leave a review, that would be lovely too. Thank you for listening in today.

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Come back again next week, and, PS, I believe in you.