The holidays are approaching. And for those of us on this path, imagining ourselves at parties and get-togethers can feel very overwhelming.
I suspect that some of you are already having the following thoughts:
Do I reallllllly have to attend this party?
I want to go, but I don’t want to drink too much and feel like shit the next day.
How can I stay sober when everyone else around me is drinking?
How the hell am I going to have fun?
Today, I’d like to challenge you to create the experience you want this holiday season. You can do this with visualization and intention-setting. It’s simple, only takes a few minutes, and can be a very powerful tool in helping you prepare for tricky times ahead.
How To Design An Alcohol-Free Holiday You Love:
1.) Start by finding a comfortable, quiet spot with few distractions. You may want to light a candle, a stick of incense, or diffuse some essential oils. Soothing music can be a good addition to this practice, but keep the volume low so you can concentrate.
2.) Think about the party or gathering you’re attending. Where is it? When will you arrive? Will you go a little late, or leave early? Have you been to this place before? Who will be there? Is there a person you’re looking forward to catching up with? (For my shy friends: Is there another person in the room who might look a bit uncomfortable? Maybe they’re new to the social scene, or maybe they’re shy like you. Make it a point to talk to that person. Sometimes making someone else feel more comfortable can ease your own anxiety.) What are you wearing? Will food be served? Is it a sit-down dinner or a buffet? What kind of vibes are you bringing to the room? Are you showing up energetic or more reserved?
3.) And now some useful questions in setting your intentions around alcohol: Will there be a bar? Can you ask someone else to go to the bar for you? What will you drink? Do you have a favorite mocktail in mind? (Club soda with lime and a splash of cranberry is almost always available if you’d like something besides water.) Who will support you while you’re there? Do you have phone numbers of friends or family members programmed in your phone in case you need a pep-talk?
When you take the time to ask yourself these questions, you can begin to plant the seeds of intention. Imagine the things you WANT out of the experience and focus on those things. How do you want to feel at the end of the event? How do you want to feel the next day? It might be helpful to journal about some of these things before you go. It’ll be important after the event to go back and see how this practice served you. Whether things go as planned, or they go a little sideways, you’ll be able to learn from the experience as you continue on your path.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Big love -
xx Andrea
Listen, I know that sobriety is no joke! Heck, even saying the word out loud can feel hard sometimes. That's exactly why I created this coaching business: to support you on your journey through exploring & designing a sober life that sets you free.
If (and when) you're ready to get curious and take action towards creating your dream sober life, get in touch! I'm always one click away, and your ultimate dream life awaits. That I can say for certain ;)
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