BTW - If you didn't already know, I'm Sarah - Drink Less; Live Better founder, best-selling author, expert speaker, life coach and, as you already know, podcast host!
We don't have to hit rock bottom, we're allowed to want something different and we can CHOOSE to improve our lives from this point onwards.
I work in the magic space where doubt, hope and action meet... oh.... and
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Transcripts
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Hello darling heart and welcome to the drink less live better podcast.
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This is the podcast that helps you to see that drinking less doesn't need to be stressful, lonely, or boring.
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I'm your host, Sarah Williamson, and I decided to have a year alcohol free as a little life experiment and haven't looked back.
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With my experience and training, I now help other people with their alcohol free or drink less adventures.
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You can find out more and sign up to my 5 day drink less challenge at drink less live better dot com.
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I'm here to tell you that you can relax, connect, and have fun without alcohol in your life.
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Join me here each week to find out how.
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Things that you will never hear me say.
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If I can do it, anyone can.
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If you choose to hang out in online sobriety or recovery places or groups, you will find so much love, kindness, care and support.
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You'll often find a few people who are in a huge state of pain or grief, and they might not be quite so kind, but that's a subject for a different day. Anyway, most people are nice. We know that.
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You will find support, often freely given.
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People will share their stories so others can learn from them, and also tell of the horror where things didn't go according to plan.
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However, there are a number of stock phrases people use that make me want to cry and this is one of them.
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I do realize I'm about to sound judgy, and I dislike myself for what I'm about to say, but I'm just gonna put it out there anyway.
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With reference to people stopping drinking, someone might post the phrase if I can do it, anyone can, and I realise that that is supposed to give hope. But hang on a hot second.
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For a start, chances are you know not very much about your audience when posting in a Facebook group, which may have between
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10 people and maybe 10,000 people in it, or indeed when posting on Instagram who would have you believe 1,000,000,000 people are your potential audience.
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So, we'll take the first part of the phrase, if I can do it. Uh-huh. So you did it, did you? You stopped drinking. You avoided an addictive substance.
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I am delighted for you, and if you want me to cheerlead for you just say the word.
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I'm all about celebrating success and I really really am pleased that you're pleased for yourself. It is brilliant.
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Anyone who gets themselves off the merry-go-round of hell that is drinking to relieve stress, boredom, loneliness, sadness,
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anger, or for fun, anyone who makes a decision to improve their lives and then carries through on it is a superhero.
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But, unless I've worked with you one to 1, I'm likely to know very little about your story that took you from drinking to this success.
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It doesn't matter if you're asking for my congratulations, you've totally got it.
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I believed in you in the first place, and I believe in you now.
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I always will, you are a superhero.
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But just because you can do it, I'm afraid does not mean anyone can do it.
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The only thing it means is you can do it, or 'that you did it'.
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Perhaps the phrase should be 'If I can do it, I will do it' or If I can do it, I did it, or If I can do it, I'll be so happy
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with myself and I'll want you to celebrate with me too, and that would be fabulous.
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If I can do it, anyone can.
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We've established we don't know you very well.
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Now, do we really think anyone can? I'm afraid I think not.
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There are many sad tales out there of people who cannot stop drinking.
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To have made the assumption that any one can stop is from a place of huge privilege.
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Perhaps you had paid for or free support, perhaps you found a programme online or in real life that worked for you, perhaps
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you had loving and caring friends or family who helped you.
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Perhaps you had loads of good old willpower.
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Perhaps you had a belief in yourself. Not everyone does, so no. I'm afraid I disagree. Not everyone can do it. I'm sad about that. I wish it wasn't true.
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I wish alcohol was not an addictive substance, but it is.
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So, if ever you were going to be the person who proudly declares 'if I can do it, anyone can', maybe just check-in with yourself first.
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What I know is that many people struggle and need support and love.
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I can help with that, and if I can do it, all that proves to me is I can do it.
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Thank you for listening in again this week.
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Check out the show notes on this podcast episode or any other.
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You'll see the link to a hidden episode to help you with your 5 PM cravings, and you'll be able to read about my one to one coaching program.
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Come back again next week and always know that I believe in you.
