Your Story Matters (Even the Messy Bits, and Even if it Isn't a Big Deal Either)
I haven’t had a drink in over five years now, but the truth is
I still get the odd "I ned a drink" pinch - the desire for a wine.
It doesn’t last though — and that’s the difference. That's where my power lies.
Because I have the tools. I know my story. I know my why.
And that changes everything.
Why Our Story Matters
One of the biggest parts of changing your relationship with alcohol is being willing to look at your story.
Like, really look at it.
Not to blame. Not to feel shame. But to get clarity.
Because clarity is power.
(That’s literally what I say in Module 1 of the Mindfully Sober Program — and I mean it.)
🟠 You can’t change what you don’t face.
🧡 And you, my friend, are brave enough to face it.
Here’s what I mean…
For me, part of my story is growing up around alcohol.
Having a parent who struggled.
Then being the party girl. The wine lover. The “I’ll just have one” person who ends up in a Uber, wasted.. and spewing at work the next morning.
💔 The one who still drank even when I knew it was not the place or time - it was totally inappropriate.
💔 I’ve been that person who promised she wouldn’t drink and then did.
💔 The one who felt sick, anxious, tired, spewy.
💔 The one who broke her arm, her ankle, her toe, and her elbow while drinking (true stories...).
💔 The one who could function, who was a high achiever and appreciated but didn’t feel proud of herself.
💔 The one who didn't harm anyone, but who still knew alcohol wasn't meant to be there anymore.
And even though I’ve been sober for years now, the truth is — that little voice still pops up sometimes: "I could really do with a drink."
But because I’ve done the work to understand my patterns, it doesn’t last.
"Of course not - I'll have drink, but without alcohol" is the answer.
That’s what I want for you. Being "Mindfully Sober".
What to explore in your own story
Here’s a few things you might want to reflect on, either in your journal, in your mind, or just in your heart:
What’s your first memory of alcohol — and how did it shape how you see it now?
Were there turning points? Big "enough is enough" moments?
What role has alcohol played for you? (Comfort? Escape? Social?)
What has it cost you — mentally, physically, emotionally, financially?
Who do you drink with? What are the patterns?
What’s something funny, ironic, or uncomfortable about your relationship with alcohol?
What problem has alcohol been solving? And… what problems has it been creating?
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
But getting honest about these parts of your story makes it way harder to fall back into that “I wasn’t that bad…” trap.
(We all know that one!..)
Your "enough is enough" moment might be now.
Maybe it’s a health scare.
Maybe it’s a GP giving you that look.
Maybe it’s waking up at 3AM with a dry mouth, a racing heart, and a pit of regret.
Maybe it’s menopause making you feel like crap already, with alcohol just making it worse.
Maybe you’re tired of the same loop on repeat.
Maybe you just want to get rid of this habit, this addiction that has a hold on you.
Maybe you're ready to reshape your relationships and friendships around alcohol.
Whatever it is — your story matters. And it’s yours to shape.
Want to write your story? Start here:
Here are two simple prompts you can use to start reflecting:
🟠 What is one thing I never want to feel again because of alcohol?
🟠 What would my life look like if I was 100% proud of it?
Write what comes up. No filter. No pressure. Just honesty.
It doesn’t have to be pretty — it just has to be yours.
You are not the problem. The pattern is.
One Last Thing…
This blog isn’t about guilt.
It’s about giving yourself the gift of clarity — so that moving forward feels like a choice, not a punishment.
You’ve made it this far. You’re reading this. That means something.
When you’re ready to take the next step, the Mindfully Sober Program is here.
And I’ll be right here, too.
🧡 Join the program: www.mindfullysober.net
You’ve got this.
And I’ve got you.
Be on your own side,
Sophie 🌿
Written by: Sophie Anderson
Mindfully Sober is not about perfection — it’s about possibility.
It's a coaching program built for the high-functioning, sober-curious people who want to live on purpose — aligned with their values, not society’s expectations.
I believe you deserve to feel good in your life, proud of your choices, and clear about your future.
Every time you choose to listen to your inner voice, you come back to yourself.
And that’s where real freedom begins.
Be on your own side,
Sophie 🌿
Sophie Anderson is an ICF-certified coach, wellness expert, and founder of Mindfully Sober. Completely alcohol-free since 2020, she empowers others to step into their potential by creating a life they don’t need to escape from. With a compassionate, practical approach, Sophie helps clients break free from drinking culture and live with clarity, confidence, and purpose.