Toast to Clarity: Finding Fulfillment in an Alcohol-Free Life

As the clock struck midnight this New Year's Eve, Bella and Meg celebrated not with clinking glasses, but with a toast to clarity and vitality. We're kicking off the podcast with a heart-to-heart about the serenity of our alcohol-free festivities and the uplifting start to another year of sobriety. We open up about the empowering decision to share this journey publicly – a move that's reinforced our commitment and chipped away at the stigma sometimes tied to sobriety. It's not just a personal victory; it's a beacon for others seeking similar paths.

Harnessing the influence of community and creativity, we're mapping out innovative ways to cultivate friendships and stay true to an alcohol-free ethos. Imagine a vibrant Instagram feed, brimming with tempting mocktail recipes, or the solidarity from a sober app's cheer squad – these are just some of the strategies we're diving into. We even ponder the potential of Sunday Soul Sessions and cozy coffee meetups to connect with like-minded folks. Closing out, we extend an invitation to you, our listeners, to share your queries on navigating life without alcohol. Tune in for an episode packed with genuine insights and actionable tips, as we navigate the rewarding terrain of sobriety together.

MEG & BELLA

Megan Webb: https://glassfulfilled.com.au
Instagram: @glassfulfilled
Bookclub: https://www.alcoholfreedom.com.au/unwinedbookclub

Isabella Ferguson: https://isabellaferguson.com.au
Instagram: @alcoholandstresswithisabella
Instagram: @kidsandalcohol

Transcript

Speaker 1: 1:02

Hello Bella and hello everyone, and happy new year 2024. How are you, bella?

Speaker 2: 1:09

I'm really well, I'm so glad to be back recording with you. It's been, oh it's been, a lovely long break. I've dashed back to Sydney, then back now back to Adelaide. Put up, mr Podcast.

Speaker 1: 1:22

How you going, meg. I'm good. Yes, I love chatting with you and I've definitely missed that. We've had a quiet Christmas and new year, really, and just well, I've been around the house. I think the kids have had a bit more of an active social life than me. I've just been working. It's been good, it's been really nice.

Speaker 2: 1:41

Hey, where'd you get up to for New Year's Eve? Did you do anything?

Speaker 1: 1:44

Not really in the end. My brother and sister came over. We had a barbecue, but I don't have a barbecue, so we did it on the grill at the stove top. It was really nice. And then they took my 14 year old down to see some fireworks down at DY, which was awesome. And then I got up at midnight to tell my son he didn't have long to go to bed, so we did watch some of the midnight fireworks together on the TV. How about you?

Speaker 2: 2:13

Well, I don't know, it's sort of becoming less of a momentous event. There's no big grand plans, it kind of shuffle into the city and watch the fireworks. It's kind of I don't know. It was really quiet. It was really really quiet. We're up in the hills in Adelaide and I think there was really much happening locally and, look, I was in bed by 9.30. I think I fell asleep by 10. But always waking up without a hangover, starting 2024 free, alcohol free always just puts the smile on my face. It's like you're just springing into 2024 feeling good.

Speaker 1: 2:57

Yeah, definitely. Actually, it was my two year anniversary of being alcohol free. Yeah, that was New Year's Eve, but I kind of forgot. I remembered in the morning, then I forgot. Then I woke up the next day and, like you said, sprung into the new year. But yeah, so that was nice. I did a bit of reflection earlier on, but I was never a New Year's Eve kind of fan of going out, even when I was younger.

Speaker 2: 3:21

Yeah, anything that requires me to stay up past 9 is not going to work.

Speaker 1: 3:27

Absolutely so. I was in bed then as well, and then I just got up to say to my son okay, nearly bed, so he doesn't game all night. But yes, well, we thought maybe today we could have a little bit of a chat about, like you and I, how we've stayed on track, because I do, I know we both get asked that at different times and I guess we wanted to discuss making a declaration to the world that you've taken a break and you're going AF.

Speaker 2: 3:57

Yeah, yeah, it's such a really. It's a great step, isn't it?

Speaker 1: 4:02

It's an important step to take it really was, and I think that's why we sort of connected, because that was something we both wanted to do from early on.

Speaker 2: 4:11

Yeah, there was something innately important for us to declare it to, you know, to the world. It kind of yeah, well, it's multi-pronged, isn't it? Because you're you're keeping reminding yourself every day that this is important to you and you're connecting and showing the world and helping others through it, and so that kind of has a benefit. That goes both ways. But why do you think it's important to do that? Make to kind of take the step of owning your alcohol-free life in a, in a way? So making in that, making an action step rather than just something you think?

Speaker 1: 4:53

Yeah, well, I think for me, like it has been one of the most important things to me, and I guess there's a few reasons. One of them is because it keeps you in that mindset, like if I'm doing something, then I have a responsibility, I want to turn up, I want to help other people. It really keeps me in the game. And it also is true what we learned in this naked mind that sharing really takes away the shame. So it from the word go. Like when you and I decided to do a podcast, we were both pretty nervous about what we were gonna say and it really didn't take long before we were just like what? Like it was a really easy transition to actually share because it did take away the shame, but it helps so many people as well, and it just it's. I don't know why it's made it easier for me in this journey. And what about you? What do you think?

Speaker 2: 5:50

Oh, I think you can think that you want to be alcohol-free. You can have all the emotions and the the Wires and the reasons for it and there are a lot of things you can do to kind of keep that, I guess, your sober practice on the road. But if you're able to take an action that Declare that, it kind of incorporates at that little bit more into who you are and into your identity and For some reason I think that just really sets the intention in a bit more stone, gives a bit more gravitas, so it makes it real, it makes it more of a an achievable goal. It's somehow Makes, it shifts the mindset to towards this actually being something that I can do and it's who I am, rather than some kind of amorphous, unattainable goal. And you know, I, how would you say that you have done it personally? How have you owned this alcohol free lifestyle and put it into an action that's part of your identity?

Speaker 1: 7:10

Yeah, well, I'm just trying to kind of makes me think back over my life and I always wanted to incorporate things that I was doing like make it, make it quite big, and by no means are we saying anything that we're talking about has to be done on a big scale will go through that, but we'll, you know, it can be any scale you choose. But I think, from even signing up to become a coach, I was quite vocal about that and my journey, at least to my family and friends, it's. I was excited to do it. I really because early on some people know the term pink cloud, you know I was on quite a high and naturally I'm a talker, so I wanted to share that and it really kept me connected. But then then when we met through the coaching, like the coaching was huge in doing this, that was something that I I knew I wanted to. I kind of subconsciously think I knew I wanted to do it. And then I did the alcohol experiment in 2021 and the first day a coach came on I went I want to do that. So then it became something I worked towards. So when I did stop drinking soon after, that was my interest, my goal I set up Early.

Speaker 1: 8:33

Quite early on, I think you know, both you and I had business ideas, got on Instagram, started doing it that way, and then you asked if anyone wanted to do a podcast. I think part of it is that I say yes to things a lot more Well, particularly if they're in this realm. So I'm coaching more, I'm I've started a new course like I don't overdo it. I definitely only take on what I can, but these are ways that have kept me really in the game. I think for me, learning is something really important and I've always done self help since I was like 17, so I love it and I will always continue that. So I think that's kind of some of the ways I do it. What about you? Yeah?

Speaker 2: 9:25

well, you haven't done it quietly and anyway, small way. There's lots of the loudness owning it and doing it in a big way and I'm much the same. I think I need to really step into this label of being an alcohol free woman because I wanted to do it in a way that showed the world that I was loud, I was proud and I was happy. So by doing that in a way that was quite exposed was really a declaration to say don't feel sorry for me, I'm not living a life behind closed doors. That's really sad and small. I've chosen this for a reason. Yes, at the start I had to, but I don't have to anymore. I'm doing it because I want to and I guess the other way of doing it is that for me, I think I really need it to really be quite a significant and important part of my identity, rather than just something that is there on the side and I have to. Really. Haven't really explored that so much know exactly why, but I think it's sort of what, but I think it probably comes down a little bit to being quite a rebellious character and a rebellious personality. You know I want to say, well, this is actually a superpower, this is part of me that I want to Shout loudly, and it's not something that I want to hide away and be hidden in the dark. And, plus, I want to broadcast it because the more people out there that are getting on the bandwagon of being alcohol free Well, that just means life gets a whole lot easier for you and I doesn't. It means there are a whole lot more people that are seeing the benefits of it, and that means that we're not so much being part of the minority.

Speaker 2: 11:21

Look, fundamentally, I think because of the way that I started being alcohol free, which was a rehab experience, the anxiety for me in that moment was well, I was so fearful of the stigma and what everyone was saying, so I thought the anecdote to that was to nip it in the bud. Get on Instagram, do blogs, become an alcohol coach, do a website and say it loudly, and that has been the best thing that I've ever done. And, of course, it kind of also helps that bit of having a job that is fulfilling. It's something that I'm passionate about. But, meg, we've done it loudly, haven't we? We've done it in a grand scale. Of course, there are many quieter and anonymous, if you like, ways of displaying or declaring your alcohol for your drinkless goals to the world. What might be some other ways that you could think of or might suggest to clients if they ask you that they could do Well?

Speaker 1: 12:32

this is the thing. There's so many different ways, and we're not saying you have to do any of this, of course, and you just hit the nail on the head. There, for me, was you know, I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me and part of this is our personalities were like this, like, so this is a natural progression as well for me, and in finding my authentic self, my purpose and passion, this is where it's leading. So it's true happiness doing this, and so anyone can do anything, but I think staying connected is just so important and keeps you in the game.

Speaker 1: 13:09

So we were kind of having a little chat before about some different ideas, and I had one person I know that has just started their journey and they've just started an Instagram page on different mocktails they're making, and I think what a brilliant way to be connected. Have, you know, something you look forward to doing? I think that's really important to look forward to something each day, and not saying you have to do anything every day, but waking up and having something to look forward to was really key for me and I thought that was really great because by doing that, this person is also going to meet like-minded people through that Instagram page that she's just started up, so I thought that was really cool. Not massive, but still a big step out of her comfort zone. And what are some others?

Speaker 2: 14:00

Bella, oh well, I like that Instagram post idea. I don't know whether you can set up an account that could be actually anonymous, so, you know, do it in a way that can be anonymous. I've had clients that have written little motivation notes or thank yous and they've said, look, put that up on Instagram for me anonymously, so that's another way of seeing their views, their quotes, up out there in the world. I have had a client that said that it was really helpful for her. She was part of an app group like an app sober app, and on there you could actually be a cheer squad or motivate and help other people, give them tips, say well done, and that kind of thing really helped. Her was paying it forward, made it feel useful, made it feel knowledgeable that she had the skills to have helped get herself alcohol free.

Speaker 2: 14:55

Now she could actually pay it forward and help somebody else. So the cheer squad step can be done in that WhatsApp, or it could be part of a Facebook group. So that's another way that I could think of.

Speaker 1: 15:10

Yeah, yeah. Well, speaking of that, I had a friend and I we started meeting on Sundays for brunch and we called it Sunday Soul Sessions and something like that. You can invite new people in as you meet them and you know you've created a safe space for people on the same journey. It was something we looked forward to. We actually had it in a local big pub, but it was breakfast time, so it was kind of it really fit nicely. You know, we had our big breakfast there. No one was drinking because it was morning and yeah, it was really lovely. So even something like that.

Speaker 2: 15:47

And then, like you said, you know, you can create local Facebook groups or they can be anywhere really, but you could create a local one where you meet up and have a coffee or that's a great idea, yeah, so find your group like a book club group or your small circle, that it could be safe to start slowly testing out the orders of declaring your desire to drink less or to be an alcohol-free person.

Speaker 2: 16:12

That's a really good idea. Another one that we workshopped, meg, before we jumped on air, which I thought was great, is that you could somehow incorporate alcohol-free support for colleagues or clients in your workplace, and we were thinking, if you're a nutritionist or a personal trainer, that was one way to do it. Or another way could be if you are a professional or work in a workplace, become the person that advocates for a workplace-wide Febfast, dry July, sober October event where you could donate to charity. So you don't have to be on the platform declaring that you've got a problem and you want to go alcohol-free and you may not be ready for that Most people will never be ready for that but you could at least just get behind a charity and do it that way.

Speaker 1: 17:09

Absolutely yeah. There's heaps of good ideas there and you can see they don't have to be massive and they can be anonymous or they can be that you just start out having a coffee and maybe, like we met doing our coaching, you might meet someone that wants to do something else in this world and you might set up a partnership. I mean, there's lots of possibilities.

Speaker 2: 17:31

Yeah, All of this really just helps inspire you and motivate you to keep going. If you're able to get some likes on Instagram or get some good feedback from your friends or support a charity, all of those things of getting behind your goals to be alcohol-free is going to keep you motivated and stay on track. I love this topic, Meg. What a great one. So good, isn't it?

Speaker 1: 17:56

And it's you know we're talking about things that will come along your journey, like you don't have to give up, have a break from alcohol and say I've got to do something big today, like it's. This has all happened to us along our journey and we have found it to be so valuable, so wanting to share with others what's helped is what we want to do, and there's lots of options out there. You know lots of things to do and just I've got some people in the local area who I have met at different events and we just go for walks Now and then you know we can just reach out who's up for a walk and and that's enough, you know, to keep your head in it in the game.

Speaker 2: 18:37

So good Now, meg. I might just wrap up a little bit by mentioning that Meg and I thought we would really try and answer as many questions as we can that you have around alcohol. So, yes, we're going to keep up the whole interview platform. We love clients, we love our experts, we get great, great feedback and downloads from all of those. But we thought we might sort of answer some questions, anything to do with alcohol, any questions that you've got, nothing too small, nothing too big. Send them our way and we'll jump onto them as quickly as we can.

Speaker 1: 19:13

Yes, so please send them in Any questions. Bella and I might hop on individually and do a pot on that.

Speaker 2: 19:20

Meg loved chatting with you. Let's do this more often. Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 19:24

Absolutely Best day. Yeah, you too, and happy new year everyone.