Did you know that statistically drinking peaks in the summer? Whilst we may be able to get on board with the idea of staying in with hot choc and Netflix in the colder months, the sun and longer days beckon us out to play.
The summer can also be a cluster trigger with its association with high days, holidays and the pursuit of pleasure. But let’s face it, hangovers in the heat are no cause for celebration. I went back to drinking after a year sober in the summer - depleted, run ragged with young kids and demoralised because even after a year sober I was struggling - I now know that this was because I didn’t have my sober self care toolkit which needs to be used and updated with the seasons. I was gritting my teeth but had no idea about what I actually needed to keep me well, regulated and satisfied on an ongoing basis, especially over the busy summer months.
This was my first sober summer two years after my initial lapse at the end of a summer, about three weeks in. It looks like the perfect family holiday on the Norfolk Broads, and it was lovely, but it doesn’t tell the story of the compulsive logging on to sober forums I was doing, the sweaty palms and the blogging every day and deep breathing I was doing, to remember, to manage my triggers, to try to rest in amongst family needs. I didn’t know it could be easier.
Seriously, I know about it! I have been sober 8 years on this streak this summer and have been coaching and running groups for four years, and am a mum of neurodivergent kids and have ADHD myself. But THERE ARE TOOLS we can use and I want to share with you. And it can be fun too, I promise.
If you find summer sobriety hard or are starting to get a bit worried about upcoming holidays away or the school holidays, I have something very special for you. This is for you. It’s not about being perfect or superwoman, it’s about self care and looking after ourselves and actually putting ourselves in the picture and not trying to provide the ‘perfect’ summer for anyone.
I have created a new group coaching program called ‘Love Your Sober Summer'. This program is exclusively designed for women struggling to get or stay sober, or worried about staying sober whilst managing the summer with all its triggers and associations, to create a sober toolkit for summer.
Read on to stay find out how we are going to stay cool & sober together!
I do hope you will join me!
Kate
Love Your Sober Summer
Tools, Support & Mindset Shift over 6 weeks - June 20th 7pm GMT.
Weekly themes, calls, resources and coaching tools to set you up for success. Weekly online call Thursdays at 7pm GMT New introductory offer £350 for one time only.
The Schedule
Week 1: Getting Started & Opening Circle
Getting clear on priorities and goals, designing our happy summer and trouble-shooting our worries. In coaching we begin with how we want things to be. We get clear on where we want to be, then identify obstacles and identify ways to navigate those, setting ourselves up for sober success with connection, clarity and confidence. Confidence comes after action so we create an action plan, identify triggers and build our mindset and identify things we love too - our ‘Glimmers.’
Week 2: The Sober Summer Toolkit
Building the scaffold of self-care and mindset tools to help keep us calm calm and collected so we can boss this season. Although we need to look at planning, expectations, planning in down time etc etc, one practical way of feeling in control and like you have got this , and if you feel like you are prepped you'll be less anxious and less likely to push the F it button, is an On the Go Toolkit. This is a bit like a nappy bag, if you can remember those .... remember the sheer panic if you left it anywhere? It had EVERYTHING in it. We are diving into this!
Week 3: Socialising Sober
This is the biggest worry for most people. Alcohol marketing tells us we can’t have fun or connect or relax without it. Here we myth bust, explore authentic connection and build solid strategies to manage socialising. What to say, what to do, when to go, when to opt out, how to curate our social lives to suit us, identify our social windows and not turn into sweaty pumpkins. In fact we can waft, connect and have no regrets… I know!!! Who knew?
Week 4: The Holiday Reframe
Holiday 101- This is the biggest reframe apart from possible Christmas/ festive season. Holidays are meant to be restorative and rejuvinating but we’ve all come home from a holiday needing another holiday, right? I thought all rules were off on holidays and they would be more alcohol heavy than other times and therefor hangovers aplenty. Actually having the luxury of a holiday away and really experiencing it is obe of the big sober revelations. This week we design out ideal holidays from the airport lounge, through the first evening to early mornings, bright lights and balmy evenings to coming safely home having made beautiful memories.
Week 5: Managing the Marathon
For many of us, working, parenting, the period of school closure and juggling actually leaves us extremely depleted in summer. Also Fakebook is flooded with images of perfect families having perfect holidays and picnics and all getting on and all that BS can make us feel miserable, stresed, less-than and triggered to drink. (Like my picture above) Stress management and real boundaries and gatekeeping on things and people that fry our heads with even more expectations during this busy, more social time is key- so boundaries, managing expectations and learning to live at a sustainable pace is key.
Week 6: Onward Steps & Closing Circle
This week we put it all together and go boldly on! We have got this. We have the Love Sober Community with online sessions and ongoing group connection at only £15 a month so it’s super easy to keep in touch and keep going as you gain confidence in your sober journey.
With this program you get six weeks free membership to Love Sober Membership Community with online meetings and a monthly workshop so there is plenty of connection.
There are limited spaces in this program, so grab your spot now.
Love Kate
This looks amazing!! Thanks so much for sharing this important offer. Summertime can be tough and triggering for us, but doesn't have to be!