What to expect when you take a break from alcohol with Lucie Culley

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This episode is a little different from the usual podcasts about putting your pet business out there and feeling ok with self-promotion.

I’m joined by the brilliant Lucy Culley, founder of Wooflinks and a member of my coaching community, for an honest and open chat about our personal journeys with alcohol.

This is not a podcast about giving advice – it’s simply a conversation about why we each chose to take breaks from drinking, what we’ve learned along the way, and how it’s impacted our lives and businesses.

If you’re concerned about your own drinking and feel you need support, please do speak to your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.

If you’ve ever thought about taking a break or are simply curious about what it might look like, we hope this conversation will inspire and reassure you.

There’s no judgment here – just two women sharing their experiences in the hope it resonates and provides support if it’s something you’re considering.

Key topics and timings:

00:00 – Introduction to the conversation

03:03 – Lucie’s journey with alcohol

06:12 – The decision to take a break

09:02 – Initial challenges and discoveries

12:06 – Understanding grey area drinking

14:55 – Rachel’s experience and reflections

18:13 – The impact of alcohol on mental health

20:50 – Finding new hobbies and interests

24:12 – Concluding thoughts on alcohol and life

31:58 – The transformative power of sobriety

34:28 – Personal growth and professional focus

37:17 – Navigating social situations without alcohol

40:57 – Community and support in sobriety

44:09 – Reflections on alcohol and personal experiences

49:07 – Reflections on drinking

52:31 – Final thoughts on embracing change

Key takeaways:

Breaking societal norms: We discuss of navigating societal expectations around drinking and how they redefined these norms to suit our personal and professional goals.
Improved clarity and focus: How stepping away from alcohol allowed us to find renewed focus and energy to drive their businesses forward.
Facing challenges head-on: Lucy and I reflect on how pausing alcohol consumption helped us deal with personal struggles and come out stronger.
Creating new habits: From journaling to wild swimming, Lucy and I found positive and fulfilling ways to replace the social and emotional space alcohol once occupied.
Empowering your choices: Our chat the importance of making choices that align with your values and how to navigate the judgement or questions that might follow.

Recommended resources:

Books:

The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley on Amazon
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray on Amazon
This Naked Mind by Annie Grace on Amazon
Beyond Booze by Sarah Rusbatch on Amazon

Apps:

Reframe: A supportive app with tools and community features to help with mindful drinking or sobriety. Find out more here.
Dry Days: A free app from Alcohol Change UK where you can track alcohol-free days and set personal goals. Download it here.

Podcasts: