1. Learn. Don’t expect to just start and kick ass and be good at it. Learn about the reasons you drink in the first place and think of other ways to go about them. Learn from any slip ups. Don’t take that as an excuse to drink, just remember that it’s progress > perfection. The month isn’t over if you have a drink so just keep going. Learn from others by picking up a book, using an app, following relatable accounts. Just use it as an opportunity to learn.
-Kevin Bellack, (@thesoberginger on Instagram). Kevin was a guest on the Sober Yoga Girl Podcast in 2020.
2. Get outside. Run, run/walk, walk or a combination of all 3. Get some fresh air and take it one day at a time.
- Luc Zoratto (@marathon2sobriety). Luc is a Toronto based sober coach and Alex and Kristen went to one of his events this summer!
3. My tip is - Don’t keep explaining or justifying your WHY to every single person, it’s for the privileged few, or better yet, just for your heart ❤️. So confidently order the mocktail or AF beer, and celebrate for coming to THIS fun side!
-Saloni Lakhia from India
4. Find replacements for everything! Drinks, people, time, activities, Change it up as much as possible but also try and hibernate too.
- Rachel Hechtman (@soberincentralpark). Rachel was a guest this summer on Sober Yoga Girl Podcast!
5. My tip would be to join your 30 Day Sober Girls Yoga Program… that’s what helped me get started because of your supportive community and your daily downloadable journaling prompts and program support plus all of the yoga that is so healing! I say, yoga, yoga, yoga with Alex!
- Jami Hana from California, a 30 Day Challenger, Deep Dive Student, and attendee of the first Sober Girls Yoga Bali Retreat!
6. Find a hobby/something to do that keeps you away from the pub/bar etc.
-Matt was one of the first graduates of the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training offered online with The Mindful Life Practice. Together Matt and I are hosting a Spain retreat in July of 2024!
7. Prioritize staying sober! Eat sugar, drink coffee, do whatever as long as you stay sober. It gets easier with time.
-Melissa, one of our current Yoga Teacher Training Students!
8. Accountability community. Keep a journal!
- Kristi Tanner, (@mocktailmommy on Instagram!)
9. Join a community! Being able to share / vent / celebrate with people on the same journey as you can really help
- Leanne, one of our oldest members and Mexico retreat guests!
10. Have the phone number of three good pals you can call - not to lean on mind you - just ones that you know will be a good call. When you have a wobble or doubt, make repeated calls until you get through and speak. Tell them something you like about them. It’s not all about you.
- David Golding (@sobercoachdubai). David was a guest on Sober Yoga Girl Podcast this year!
11. Take it day by day, moment by moment and allow yourself to check in with your body and mind to see what you really need. Sleep, snack, deep clean the whole house, play video games, whatever it takes. Just don’t give in to the urge to drink if you have it!
- Alex, California - one of the former Sober Girls Yoga 30 Day Challengers! (@byebyeboozy on Instagram)
12. Slow down and take things day by day. Schedule in time to mindfully pay attention to your mind and body. In this way, you can learn to “surf” and not react to any urges and cravings. Don’t just keep busy. Take time to “be” and build present moment awareness.”
- David Lee (@thesoberwaycoach ) who has been a previous guest on Sober Yoga Girl Podcast!
13. Have your AF drinks fully stocked, chilled and waiting! Bring your own to gatherings if you can!
- Lisa (Lisa was one of our previous retreat guests and also a student in the Yoga Sutra Study!)
14. Play the tape forward!
- Azure (@soberchronicles)
15. Stay curious. Get rid of definites. Stay open to the possibility that this could be a good thing. Get curious of what your life could look like booze free. I got curious and I’m so glad I did! 10 months sober.
- Anonymous
16. Keep your “why’s” close at hand to look at when needed.
- Claire Cowie, current member of our community who just made it to 100 days sober!
17. We didn't get sober to be boring.
- Kayla
18. Sober means community. We can’t do it alone.
- Vics
19. If a tool or tip doesn’t work for you… try something else. Old keys don’t open new doors!
- Sarah Williamson, author of Drink Less Live Better (one of our book club books!)
20. Be gentle and kind to yourself.
- Brenda, one of our graduates of the Sober Curious Yoga Teacher Training
21. My biggest tip would be that you don’t have to have a ‘problem’ with alcohol (or another substance) to let it go from your life. For me, in the past it always kinda felt imposter-ish to claim ‘sober’ if I never claimed to have a ‘problem’ with alcohol. So I would just want everyone to know, you can choose to let go of alcohol (or another substance) for any reason at all. Do what is best for you in your life. - Lyndsey
22. Whenever you encounter a situation where, during your drinking days you would have been drinking, recognize and give thanks for your present sobriety and acknowledge how your life has changed for the better.
- Barbara
23. It's an amazing time to be alcohol free. There are so many great NA options available. Try them out and see what you like!
- Alison
24. My BIGGEST tip is to stay active in your community. I find out MLPC makes such a beautiful impact for me.
- Carrie, one of our previous 30 Day Sober Girls Yoga Challengers, and member of the community.
25. Play it forward! When you think about having a drink, play that reel forward in your mind to where it gets you. Decide that - at very least for October - that your future self is a non-drinker and that is your identity. Play all scenarios from this viewpoint. How would a non-drinker plan for a party where there would be alcohol involved? How would a non-drinker spend a beautiful weekend?
- Brenda, one of our previous retreat guests and community members
26. When you wake up after a night out and you maintained your sobriety revel and how good it feels.
- Laura
27. Start and end your day with gratitude.
- Heidi
28. Do whatever you need to do to replace your habits with positive ones. Baby steps. Hold on tight and those baby steps will turn into bigger steps over time. It takes a long time for your brain to redevelop new habits so don’t rush your healing.
- Kally, one of our previous Sober Girls Yoga 30 Day Challengers
29. Get out in nature.
- Lisa
30. Count your blessings each day and write them down before bed! There’s always a chink of light in every dark day. We sometimes just don’t take time to see it. Looking for the positives and feeling gratitude for the small things make the hard days not feel quite so bad.
- Annie, one of our previous retreat guests and members!
31. H.A.L.T hungry, angry, tired, lonely. When I find myself wanting to drink I think of these first and usually one is the culprit!
- Jennifer
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