Trigger Warning: This episode discusses grief and loss of a child. Listener discretion is advised.
What do you do when your entire sense of self feels in flux? For April and Michelle, quitting alcohol has brought unexpected challenges. While their initial decision to stop drinking opened doors to new possibilities, it’s also left them facing an uncomfortable reality—feeling lost. April, who has been alcohol-free for months, is navigating a shrinking world and struggling with the idea of belonging, while Michelle, just a few weeks into her alcohol-free journey, is questioning her identity and place in social circles. In this episode, Coach Zoe speaks with both April and Michelle about the discomfort of finding who you really are when alcohol is no longer your coping mechanism. They share their experiences of feeling lost after quitting drinking, the fear of being judged, and how they’re learning to build authentic connections without alcohol.
In April’s Session:
Still seeing alcohol as providing relief for anxiety and stress
The necessity of being challenged to build a relationship of a life without alcohol
Feeling her world shrink initially after quitting, despite hopes for new connections
The pain of friends deciding she's "not fun anymore" after quitting drinking
The challenge of making new friends as an adult, like being the "lone reader" at book club
Navigating life as a bereaved mother and feeling that part of her isn't "fun" for others
The lifelong feeling of not fitting in and not belonging
How protecting herself shows up in current social interactions
The fear of putting herself out there and being judged
The struggle of figuring out what to do when everything looks different than imagined
The desire for authentic connection over superficial relationships
Realizing "we always teach what we need to learn”
And more…
In Michelle’s Session:
The fear of losing all her friends and her identity
Grappling with the question: "Who will I be if I don't drink?"
The realization that avoiding everyone isn't sustainable
Feeling lost after quitting drinking and worried about what her new life looks like
Confronting the belief that we "know what other people are thinking of us"
Understanding that the voice of judgment is often her own
Coping for 30-odd years by numbing with alcohol
Feeling "wide open with feelings" in early days alcohol-free
The importance of learning new coping mechanisms
Realizing how normalized and addictive alcohol is in society
The courage it takes to go against the grain of drinking culture
Learning that we need to feel who we are, not just think it
And other topics…
Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had.
Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/
Episode links:
nakedmindpath.com
Related Episodes:
What’s the Secret To Finding Purpose After Stopping Drinking? - Reader’s Questions - E640 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-640-readers-question-whats-the-secret-to-finding-purpose-after-stopping-drinking/
How do I reach the same level of fun conversation without alcohol? - Reader’s Questions - E138 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-138-how-do-i-reach-the-same-level-of-fun-conversation-without-alcohol/
Who Am I Without Wine?: Identity & Sophistication - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E801 - https://thisnakedmind.com/creating-a-new-identity-after-quitting-drinking-alcohol-freedom-freedom-coaching-e801/
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