Why do so many of us feel we need a drink to be confident at parties, gatherings, even among friends? In this episode, Anna Donaghey untangles the deep-rooted belief that alcohol provides confidence, and invites you to question where that story really comes from.
With lived experience and psychological insight, Anna guides you through the "costume" we put on with every glass, and the subconscious beliefs driving our drinking behaviours. She breaks down the science behind nerves and explains why true confidence can't be poured from a bottle and how what you're really after might be presence, not performance.
Make sure you listen to discover practical mindset shifts and tools for handling social situations alcohol-free.
Highlights:
00:00 Why we often reach for a drink before entering a party
01:32 The hidden belief: “Alcohol gives me confidence”
02:50 How subconscious beliefs shape our drinking behaviours
05:36 Digging deeper: is the real belief “I’m not enough as I am”?
06:25 Nerves are natural, not a sign of weakness
07:06 Alcohol as a “costume” in social settings
10:09 Questioning our beliefs: “Says who?”
11:20 Remembering a time before alcohol
13:14 The difference between confidence and lowered inhibitions
16:45 Why alcohol delivers only a “borrowed” confidence
17:41 I am enough as I am, and confidence is something I build
19:30 Tools for managing nerves: relabel anxiety as excitement
20:45 Using genuine curiosity when meeting new people
21:26 When anxiety is actually a signal to honour your needs
22:13 Confidence means choosing the right rooms for you
Listener offer: An exclusive 15% off Botivo - a bittersweet, citrusy aperitivo that perfectly marks that end-of-day moment. If you’d like to try it, you can get 15% off at https://botivodrinks.com/ with the code BIGDRINKRETHINK15.
Anna’s book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!
The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna’s ‘inner circle ’- a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/
If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show:https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink
About the host Anna:
Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.
Listener offer: An exclusive 15% off Botivo - a bittersweet, citrusy aperitivo that perfectly marks that end-of-day moment. If you’d like to try it, you can get 15% off at https://botivodrinks.com/ with the code BIGDRINKRETHINK15.
