Sobriety Builds On Itself - Keep Going

After 5 months, the construction in my basement is almost complete and I have to admit - I’ve gotten so impatient for it to be over! The basement is so close to being exactly what we wanted and I am just ready for that day to be here. It might seem silly to say that the construction process has reminded me of early sobriety, but stick with me. It started as a big mess, and the work seemed endless. But I knew that we just had to keep at it. And while impatience has overwhelmed me, I know that soon (very soon!) its going to be gorgeous and so worth the months of work. If you’re impatient in your journey of early sobriety, keep going! Sobriety is progressive. It builds on itself and gets better and better and better. And if you’re looking for a community to support you as you work through early sobriety, join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 7+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. If you’re looking to dip your toe into community support this holiday season, join my Substack, Sober For Good, for access to a daily chat thread where you can connect with and be supported by other women who are walking this sober journey alongside you. It’s just $7/mo! Join us for the Spring Sober Mom Life retreat in Riveria Maya March 4-7 2027! https://thesobermomlife.com/thesobermomliferetreatGrab your copy of The Sober Shift, now available in paperback! Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30’ and ‘Beyond 30’ cohorts. Learn more here! Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today’s Real Sober Mom Jenny is sober for the second time around, and this time feels different. After 6 ½ years of sobriety and two years of quietly drinking and hiding a relapse from the world, Jenny is going public with her story (and going wildly viral doing so). Today Jenny shares her full sobriety story. She’ll detail how different her drinking and her sobriety was the first and second time around, and she’ll tell us why she took her sobriety story public after years of drinking in secret. Follow Jenny’s sobriety journey on Instagram @themessymiddle.soberagain If you’re looking to dip your toe into community support this holiday season, join my Substack, Sober For Good, for access to a daily chat thread where you can connect with and be supported by other women who are walking this sober journey alongside you. It’s just $7/mo! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 7+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Grab your copy of The Sober Shift, now available in paperback! Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30’ and ‘Beyond 30’ cohorts. Learn more here! Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we enter the chaos of the holiday season it can be incredibly easy to deprioritize your own needs, or to simply forget about yourself, while you’re pouring your energy into your family. Believe me, I get it. I forgot to buy myself a meal last week when I was getting lunch for the family! The gap that can occur when we constantly deprioritize our own needs is a perfect space for alcohol to sneak in. So, we have to work at putting our needs first. How can you prioritize yourself this week? Is it a beautifully wrapped present that you place for yourself under the tree? Is it making sure you schedule social time with your friends? Is it an afternoon walk that calms your mind? Whatever it is, remember to make yourself a priority as you enter this holiday season. If you’re looking to dip your toe into community support this holiday season, join my Substack, Sober For Good, for access to a daily chat thread where you can connect with and be supported by other women who are walking this sober journey alongside you. It’s just $7/mo! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 7+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Grab your copy of The Sober Shift, now available in paperback! Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30’ and ‘Beyond 30’ cohorts. Learn more here! Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ve just returned from the Sober Mom Life fall retreat, which is always my favorite experience of the year. Mom joins me on the show today to talk through every part of the retreat, from the lovely meals, to the meaningful sessions, to unexpected hikes (or climbs!) and everything in between. If you’re curious about what really goes on during these four days in community with other sober moms, this is your chance to get a sneak peek. Join us on our Spring Retreat! Sign ups JUST opened up - Secure your spot! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Grab your copy of The Sober Shift, now available in paperback! Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30’ and ‘Beyond 30’ cohorts. Learn more here! Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Halloween is here. As you prepare yourself and your family for trick or treating you might be wondering how alcohol is going to affect your night. But what if you took it out of the equation? Today I’ll share with you why I think Halloween is so much more fun sober, I’ll remind you of how good the next morning will feel, and I’ll share some stats about kid’s safety on the holiday so that you feel ready to have a wonderful sober Halloween with your family that is so much fun, safe for the kids, and hangover free. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Grab your copy of The Sober Shift, now available in paperback! Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30’ and ‘Beyond 30’ cohorts. Learn more here! Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Growing up in Ireland, Aisling came to understand that having an ‘alcohol problem’ required a really high bar. Either you were a raging alcoholic, or your relationship with alcohol was fine and not worth examining. As a child, though, Aisling disagreed. She found drunk people terrifying. Looking back? She thinks that young Aisling had it right. Today Aisling shares her sobriety story, starting as a college student who didn’t make it through school due to her habit, and culminating as a new mom who felt buried with shame each time that alcohol threw her off track in motherhood. Aisling believes that sobriety is now her superpower. It allows her to show up as her best self in every corner of her life and brings so much joy to her days. She wants you to know that this reality is available for you, as well! You can read Aisling’s story in my book The Sober Shift: A Modern Day Guide to Living an Abundant Sober Life. Community is truly the secret sauce of sobriety success, so I’ve created a special place for you during Sober October… and beyond! Join my Substack, Sober For Good, for access to a daily chat thread where you can connect with and be supported by other women who are walking this sober journey alongside you. Join us here for just $7/mo Grab your copy of The Sober Shift, now available in paperback! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30’ and ‘Beyond 30’ cohorts. Learn more here! Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I posted a reel this week about drinking and kids events that pissed off a few people on the internet. One comment in particular really stuck with me: “My son’s first birthday is at a winery with a pumpkin patch. They need to learn a responsible, respectful relationship with alcohol so they don’t have to be sober one day.” This is almost exactly what I would’ve thought before I experienced life with sobriety. Now, after six beautiful years of sobriety, I have a very different perspective. Check out this episode to hear my thoughts. Community is truly the secret sauce of sobriety success, so I’ve created a special place for you during Sober October… and beyond! Join my Substack, Sober For Good, for access to a daily chat thread where you can connect with and be supported by other women who are walking this sober journey alongside you. Join us here for just $7/mo Grab your copy of The Sober Shift, now available in paperback! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30’ and ‘Beyond 30’ cohorts. Learn more here! Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The summer Bravo drought is over! Courtney is back on the show with her copious notes to tackle all of the new developments in the Bravosphere. We’ll talk all about whether it’s time to end The OC, the fan gift of Ultimate Girl’s Trip, why Real Housewives of Salt Lake is Bravo at it’s best, and how this season of Real Housewives of New York is so worth a watch after the past couple of lackluster seasons. Plus - Suzanne relives one of her favorite housewives series, Atlanta, as Courtney watches through the entire show for the first time. Community is truly the secret sauce of sobriety success, so I’ve created a special place for you during Sober October! Join my Substack, Sober For Good, for access to a daily chat thread where you can connect with and be supported by other women who are walking this sober journey alongside you. Join us here for just $7/mo! Grab your copy of The Sober Shift, now available in paperback! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30’ and ‘Beyond 30’ cohorts. Learn more here! Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I had a new sober first this week: I got pulled over for speeding. And I’m grateful it happened. Why? Because of the sweet relief that overcame me when I realized that I had zero chance of getting a DUI. It was such a wonderful feeling to know that the worst possible outcome was just a speeding ticket, and nothing more. If you’re in early sobriety, just remember - the freedom of sobriety will reach into every corner of your life. Keep going. And if you feel like you need support, join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 7 Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Community is truly the secret sauce of sobriety success, so I’ve created a special place for you during Sober October! Join my Substack, Sober For Good, for access to a daily chat thread where you can connect with and be supported by other women who are walking this sober journey alongside you. Join us here for just $7/mo! Grab your copy of The Sober Shift, now available in paperback! Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30’ and ‘Beyond 30’ cohorts. Learn more here! Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recovery coach Stephanie Hazard is full of sober wisdom at 26 years sober, and she is now the author of the excellent new book Making Sobriety Stick: A Recovery Coach’s Guide of Sustainable Change. Today, Stephanie will share what early sobriety looked like for her as a 36-year old single mom in 1999. We’ll talk about how to navigate loneliness in early sobriety and how connection and community can make all the difference. Then, Stephanie will share about her work as a recovery coach and what led her to write Making Sobriety Stick. Learn more about Stephanie’s book and work at https://www.pathtowardrecovery.com Community is truly the secret sauce of sobriety success, so I’ve created a special place for you during Sober October! Join my Substack, Sober For Good, for access to a daily chat thread where you can connect with and be supported by other women who are walking this sober journey alongside you. Join us here for just $7/mo! Grab your copy of The Sober Shift, now available in paperback! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30’ and ‘Beyond 30’ cohorts. Learn more here! Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.