How to Overcome Hard Times as a Sober Girl
When being a Sober Girl feels hard, and the inner wine witch thinks that wine will help, here are things you can do instead.
You know it is never just one glass! One knee-jerk reaction of reaching for the bottle will undo all the hard work you’ve done and land you back in the cycle of shame and regret.
When things feel hard, it is a chance to grow and learn. When you come out the other side, which you will, you will feel stronger than ever. This is your chance to ace the test that life is putting on your Sober Girl status.
When you’re facing a challenging time, know that it’s okay. The biggest hurdle when dealing with a challenging or emotional time is questioning, fighting, and trying to change it. It is easier and moves quicker when you accept the reality of the situation right now. You will get through this, (wine will not make it better) but often surrendering, and letting go is the kindest, most powerful thing you can do.
The 5 tips below are more powerful than wine (yes, really) and will help you cope when being a Sober Girl feels hard.
1. Reach Out to Your Support System:
There is no need to struggle alone. We are stronger and healthier together. You are supported and if you’re not it’s time you were, you deserve it.
Connect with loved ones: Talk to friends, family, or the Sober Girl Social Club about your feelings.
Attend Support Circles: Share your experiences with other Sober Girls and gain valuable insights.
2. Practice Healthy Coping Mechanisms:
However you do them, creating space between you and the bottle is a must-have. Do not underestimate the power of silence and lying on your living room floor.
Let’s get physical: Exercise can help reduce stress and improve your mood.
Mindfulness techniques: Meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help you stay calm and focused and quiet your inner wine witch.
Hobbies: Pursue activities you enjoy to remind yourself there is more to life than drinking your stress and anxiety away. Not sure what you enjoy? Try anything that comes to mind and if you don’t like it try something else. Now that you aren’t drinking you have the time to explore.
4. Hijack You Mind and Practice Self-Care:
Celebrate your successes: Acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small you think they are. Putting one step in front of the other will move you along.
Practice gratitude: Focus on what you are grateful for in your life. Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have running water? Do you have air in your lungs? Then you have something to be grateful for.
Prioritize self-care: Get enough sleep, eat healthy whole foods, and take breaks when needed.
5. What’s you Why:
Reflect on your motivations: Why did you choose to become a Sober Girl in the first place?
Visualize your future: Imagine the positive outcomes of staying a Sober Girl for the next 24 hours.
Write down your Sober Girl goals: Having a clear vision can help you stay focused.
Remember, it's okay to have a hard time and feel your feelings, but you don’t let them make executive decisions. The key is to keep moving forward by staying connected to your support system and practicing healthy coping mechanisms. I know you can overcome life challenges as a Sober Girl.