I hear time and time again from people on social media, participants in the 60 Day Alcohol-Free Challenge, and even some 1:1 coaching clients who don't necessarily want to quit alcohol for good but just have it around for celebratory reasons and special occasions. My first question is always why?

Why do you want it back in your life even occasionally?

Why does alcohol still have that hold on you? Fear of missing out? Scared of the forever word? (I'm not a fan of the forever word, so drop that if that's what is catching you up!)

What makes you think this time will be different from all the other times you tried before to just "treat" yourself?

Whatever the reason is. There are these limiting stories or beliefs that you are telling yourself that you need to have alcohol as your security blanket still. You don't want to let it go because you still see it as a reward.

How is having a hangover where you can barely even make it out of bed a reward?

How is the crippling anxiety the next day a reward?

How is wondering what you said or did the night before a reward?

How are your kids saying you're acting "funny" a reward?

How is ingesting ethanol a reward?

It's not, and you know it's not, but you're still holding onto that glimmer of hope that maybe you can just have one here or there. The best way to celebrate isn't by drinking; it's by NOT drinking.

These are some of the reframes and thought patterns we discuss in the 60 Day Alcohol-Free Challenge. If these thoughts sound like I was reading your mind, then it's time for you to join us for the challenge starting January 1st!

Removing alcohol from your life isn't about deprivation. It's about looking at alcohol differently and what we gain from not drinking, NOT what we lose. Because let's be real, we don't miss out on anything. No, that thinking doesn't happen overnight, but when you finally realize what alcohol really is, that is absolute freedom. I want that for all of you who are struggling with this back and forth, love/hate relationship with alcohol to feel too.

Message me (@sobermomcoach) directly for the link to register. Let's bring in 2021 alcohol-free TOGETHER!