I love this spread, how fun. I chose to frame it as stopping drinking rather than giving up alcohol which felt like I was missing out on something. Sometimes words matter! Anyway I also love being bored.
Such a fabulous set of questions to explore, and so applicable to any form of ‘boredom habit’ … I don’t drink anymore either but do find I reach for other things like phone or chocolate in the afternoons when I know there is still a fair few hours of ‘alone’ time with the kids before my husband comes home. That little hit of ‘I need something’ to lift me… amazing post xxx
Thank you for this. I love hearing others discuss their journey going sober. I gave up drinking at the same time! I wasn't a daily drinker, and I only drank in social situations. My attachment was how I wanted to be perceived. Fun and life of the party. I am chatty without booze, but it permitted me to be louder, and naughtier. I used it to fit into frat parties in college and work parties later on. It continues to be the best decision I have made. I don't regret it at all, even when my family questions my motives. Growing up in my family, 5 o'clock happy hour was a nightly occurrence. I had horrible hangovers, even on one glass of wine. I am heading to Italy in October, but I'm not interested in drinking. Instead, I'll enjoy watching my hubby sample it, and I wake up fresh and ready to go the next day. I look forward to trying the spread. I will switch it out for bored eating.
Claire this is brilliant! What a super idea to pull cards in the Ride the Wave spread.
I have found so much more life in every respect by giving up alcohol, and facing myself including when I am bored and what I do in these times. Not many people speak of the boredom so thank you!
Hi Danusia. I'm glad you like it. Yes it’s true. Not many people speak about the boredom of it. It's like so what now? It's reassuring to know others have experienced similar
My Mom used the word "bored" as a challenge to find something for me to do. Unless I was doing something "productive", she was on the prowl. I would quickly grab a book to pretend to read. Ha! I'm not sure she has been bored a day in her life.
I love this piece, Claire. I don't drink, but I deal with the restlessness. It takes courage to simply be in the moment and feel those restless feelings or allow yourself to be bored. You've inspired me to simply be present in those moments of restlessness!
Oh heavens, I can really relate to this. I've found I've developed a terrible phone scrolling habit in the evenings. I watch TV with my husband with my phone in my hand rather than a glass of wine. I need to try letting myself be bored more often.
Well Alix if I told you your beautiful instagram account and your words about sobriety were part of my sober journey, hopefully you'll understand the impact of your writing even more. My writing started then too.
I went for quite a while without drinking and regret starting again even if only in moderation. I am going to use this spread for snacking as well. My other vice!
I think I'll do the same. I'm also a knackered. Well done for quitting for a while. I was like that for a few years I'd dip in and out. I'm sure you could have another go when you're ready. Thanks for being here Pam.
Thank you for this Claire, I am 4 months sober and definitely approaching the sparkly part where I am just seeing everything so clearly and vividly and honestly feel the best I have ever felt. The tarot spread is so interesting, as ever I need to get back to the cards... I've been meaning to all year!
Wow. Well done. The sparkly part carries on. I promise you. No more tiredness. No fuzzy head. Have you ever thought about a post on the connection between slow living and being alcohol free? That'd be really interesting.
Do you know, I have but I don't think I've quite ironed out my thoughts with going alcohol free yet and it still feels really personal but I think it will come and I definitely see a place for it in the Slow Living philosophy ✨
We often need a reminder that it's okay to sit in the discomfort of restlessness until our being catches up with our higher self and recognizes it is not a discomfort but a call to show up fully. Thanks for this lovely nudge Claire.
I love this spread, how fun. I chose to frame it as stopping drinking rather than giving up alcohol which felt like I was missing out on something. Sometimes words matter! Anyway I also love being bored.
Lovely distinction. I stopped drinking too. Words truly matter!
I agree! Words do matter. It's amazing how changing them alters things.
Hi Sian. Oh that's great. Let's hope you don't need to do the spread but I guess it could be used for other situations too.
Interesting what you say about wording. Let's hope one day giving up alcohol will only ever have positive connotations.
Such a fabulous set of questions to explore, and so applicable to any form of ‘boredom habit’ … I don’t drink anymore either but do find I reach for other things like phone or chocolate in the afternoons when I know there is still a fair few hours of ‘alone’ time with the kids before my husband comes home. That little hit of ‘I need something’ to lift me… amazing post xxx
Thank you Lauren. Wow, it seems so many of us have decided not to drink anymore. It definitely helps when you're a mum doesn't it.
Thank you for this. I love hearing others discuss their journey going sober. I gave up drinking at the same time! I wasn't a daily drinker, and I only drank in social situations. My attachment was how I wanted to be perceived. Fun and life of the party. I am chatty without booze, but it permitted me to be louder, and naughtier. I used it to fit into frat parties in college and work parties later on. It continues to be the best decision I have made. I don't regret it at all, even when my family questions my motives. Growing up in my family, 5 o'clock happy hour was a nightly occurrence. I had horrible hangovers, even on one glass of wine. I am heading to Italy in October, but I'm not interested in drinking. Instead, I'll enjoy watching my hubby sample it, and I wake up fresh and ready to go the next day. I look forward to trying the spread. I will switch it out for bored eating.
Congratulations. You're doing really well. Enjoy the beauty and clarity of Italy without the fuzziness.
Claire this is brilliant! What a super idea to pull cards in the Ride the Wave spread.
I have found so much more life in every respect by giving up alcohol, and facing myself including when I am bored and what I do in these times. Not many people speak of the boredom so thank you!
Hi Danusia. I'm glad you like it. Yes it’s true. Not many people speak about the boredom of it. It's like so what now? It's reassuring to know others have experienced similar
My Mom used the word "bored" as a challenge to find something for me to do. Unless I was doing something "productive", she was on the prowl. I would quickly grab a book to pretend to read. Ha! I'm not sure she has been bored a day in her life.
Boredom is a gift. Maybe I should write an essay on it.
Sounds good. We should all be bored, on a daily basis.
Being productive with books - genius! I’ll unpack this for myself. Great place to look Blythe. 🙏🏻
I love this piece, Claire. I don't drink, but I deal with the restlessness. It takes courage to simply be in the moment and feel those restless feelings or allow yourself to be bored. You've inspired me to simply be present in those moments of restlessness!
It's a practice and I guess the first steps are to notice but make more nourishing choices. The boredom I think is a deeper practise
Oh heavens, I can really relate to this. I've found I've developed a terrible phone scrolling habit in the evenings. I watch TV with my husband with my phone in my hand rather than a glass of wine. I need to try letting myself be bored more often.
Louise I feel this. I actually think it's easier to give up alcohol than scrolling.
I quit drinking in 2018! Which is why I started writing so much!
Well Alix if I told you your beautiful instagram account and your words about sobriety were part of my sober journey, hopefully you'll understand the impact of your writing even more. My writing started then too.
Wow, thank you. I had no idea ❤️❤️ I’ve been thinking about writing about it again - maybe even a book?
It's a huge topic for people. Sobriety is a doorway to the creative life
Yes! I actually think drinking is a way to cope with blocked creativity - which Julia Cameron hints at in The Artists Way I believe
I went for quite a while without drinking and regret starting again even if only in moderation. I am going to use this spread for snacking as well. My other vice!
I think I'll do the same. I'm also a knackered. Well done for quitting for a while. I was like that for a few years I'd dip in and out. I'm sure you could have another go when you're ready. Thanks for being here Pam.
Thank you! This is also relevant to any addiction and urge to dissociate issues with, say, food, TV, or other substances.
Yes, it could be used in so many ways
Thank you for this Claire, I am 4 months sober and definitely approaching the sparkly part where I am just seeing everything so clearly and vividly and honestly feel the best I have ever felt. The tarot spread is so interesting, as ever I need to get back to the cards... I've been meaning to all year!
Wow. Well done. The sparkly part carries on. I promise you. No more tiredness. No fuzzy head. Have you ever thought about a post on the connection between slow living and being alcohol free? That'd be really interesting.
Do you know, I have but I don't think I've quite ironed out my thoughts with going alcohol free yet and it still feels really personal but I think it will come and I definitely see a place for it in the Slow Living philosophy ✨
Brilliant, Claire! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing Jenna
We often need a reminder that it's okay to sit in the discomfort of restlessness until our being catches up with our higher self and recognizes it is not a discomfort but a call to show up fully. Thanks for this lovely nudge Claire.
So so good to read this, to rejoice in you, to hear the growth of your capacity. Capacity to be with the arising of all things.
You asked if we've given up drinking, or wanted to. I haven't had a drink in twenty years; I'm grateful every day for the life sobriety has gifted me.