Letting Go of Alcohol: In this candid episode of the Sober Life Rocks podcast, host Margy Schaller sits down with guest Cari Wolters to discuss Cari’s journey to an alcohol-free lifestyle and its transformative impact on her personal and professional life.
Whether you choose to drink or not, Cari’s story highlights the significance of examining habits that may be holding you back and advocating for your own personal growth. Her liminal thinking workshops sound like a great tool for uncovering unconscious limiting beliefs.
Cari, who has been sober since February 2022, shares her story of growing up with high expectations and anxiety despite a lack of alcohol in her home life. Both she and Margy relate to feeling constant pressure to achieve and gain approval, especially from their mothers, which fueled perfectionism and stress.
A few key insights in her professional sober journey that resonated with me:– The power of reframing your mindset. Instead of focusing on what you’re “giving up” by not drinking, appreciate the healthy drinks you still get to enjoy every day, like coffee and tea. It’s an empowering perspective shift.
– The importance of living authentically, even if that means letting go of certain friendships or risking potential profit loss in your business. Cari found that showing up as her true self, including being open about not drinking, ultimately led to more meaningful connections.
– Practical tips for managing anxiety, from positive morning routines to finding moments of peace throughout the day. Cari emphasized the value of support and having someone to walk alongside you on the journey.
Though Cari’s first drink at 17 wasn’t enjoyable taste-wise, she liked the way alcohol made her feel. She continued moderate social drinking in her 20s, but her consumption gradually increased as she had children and grappled with mounting anxiety. Alcohol became a way to self-medicate and manage stress, shifting from an occasional weekend indulgence to a regular crutch even on weeknights.
“It was a process of going through, like, what do I believe about myself? What do I believe about this beverage that used to hold my whole life together?” Cari WoltersIn October 2020, Cari decided to stop drinking and to examine her relationship with alcohol, unwittingly becoming “sober curious” before she knew it was a trend. Through practicing mindful drinking and setting personal boundaries, she began to question alcohol’s role and impact on her life. The turning point came in February 2022 after overindulging at a Super Bowl party left her feeling physically and emotionally terrible. At that moment, Cari decided she would never drink again, realizing her well-being and clarity were worth more than any short-lived buzz.
One of the biggest challenges Cari faced in giving up alcohol was navigating professional situations and networking events where drinking was the norm. She ultimately had to let go of certain friendships that revolved around alcohol but found new connections and support at the gym.
Another hurdle was the fear of being inauthentic or losing business by sharing her alcohol-free lifestyle publicly. However, Cari realized that being true to herself was more important than potential profits. She reframed her thinking to focus on what she still gets to enjoy – tea, coffee, water – rather than what she was giving up.
“You’re the five people that you hang out with. Research shows that“
Going alcohol-free also prompted Cari to confront her anxiety head-on and develop new coping strategies. She shares her morning routine of meditation, gratitude practice, journaling, and soothing nighttime rituals that help quiet her mind. Margy echoes the importance of intentional, positive ways to book-end the day and carve out moments of self-care and peace.
Beyond improving her well-being, Cari’s experience inspired her to shift career paths and start her own coaching business helping other individuals and organizations uncover limiting beliefs and make meaningful changes. Through workshops and the process of “liminal thinking”, she helps clients identify unconscious patterns and habits, like drinking to relieve anxiety, that may be holding them back.
Cari emphasizes that you don’t have to identify as an alcoholic or even be fully “sober curious” to examine your relationship with alcohol. Her workshops are open to anyone seeking to understand themselves on a deeper level and find alignment. No matter where you are on your journey, Cari’s message is that you are not alone and that finding support is crucial.
Throughout the conversation, some key lessons about letting go of alcohol emerge:1. Authenticity and living true to yourself is more important than people-pleasing or profits. Making decisions aligned with your values brings peace.
2. Alcohol can become a crutch to numb difficult emotions like anxiety, but there are healthier ways to cope and feel your feelings fully. Ditching alcohol provides clarity.
3. Letting go of relationships, habits or identities that no longer serve you is hard but necessary for growth. Have faith that you will find new connections more aligned with your path.
4. Little things like an intentional morning/evening routine and taking mindful pauses throughout the day can make a big difference in your mindset and well-being. Prioritize them.
5. You don’t have to struggle alone. Seeking support, whether from a coach, therapist or understanding friend, is a sign of strength. Find someone to walk alongside you.
Ultimately, Cari’s story illustrates the transformative power of leading an authentic, examined life. Her bravery in choosing an unconventional path and vulnerability in sharing it openly offer hope and inspiration to anyone feeling stuck or desiring change. While not easy, the rewards of doing the inner work are immense – greater clarity, self-understanding, and an unshakeable sense of purpose and peace.
To Learn more about Cari Wolters and her business Sober Curious Life Coach click here.
The post Letting Go of Alcohol: Navigating Professional Life and Friendship first appeared on Sober Life Rocks.
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