THE ART OF LIVING AN ALCOHOL-FREE LIFESTYLE

Tip: # 03 Create your circle

The Art of Living an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle will be for all the consistent inquiries I receive on whether or not I will talk about alcohol again. Here’s the thing, everything I talk about stems from my choice not to drink alcohol. It just may not be that obvious. But I hear you, and I understand what you have been asking for.

So let's have some fun with it.

THE ART OF LIVING AN ALCOHOL-FREE LIFESTYLE

A series of one-off tips served with some straight talk, a bit of sass, and a penchant for not taking oneself or life too seriously.

Tip # 03: Create your circle.

One of the best things to come out of my choice to quit drinking is the plethora of women I have had the honor of meeting, spending time with, and being lucky enough to call friends.

In the fall of 2018, I impulsively decided to host an adventure retreat for women without any idea how to do it. It was a five-day standup paddleboard & camping retreat around a small group of islands in the Sea of Cortez. It was magical. The women who showed up varied in ages from their 20s to 60s, all from different areas of the country, including international, and with different backgrounds, careers, interests, hobbies, family situations, etc. The only thing we had in common was that we had all quit drinking. Still, even that connecting detail was due to vastly different reasons.

The group trip had all the ingredients to be a wonderful experience that would end with everyone going back home and going about their lives. However, something extraordinary happened from the moment this group came together. Each individual brought something to the table that was necessary. Each woman's uniqueness worked perfectly in this new group dynamic. There was no way I could have planned this, and there was no way this could have been forced into happening. It truly was divine intervention for all twelve of us.

Just this past weekend, nine of the original twelve women met up in a random rental home in the desert of Tucson, Arizona. Yet again, our coming together was more proof that life without booze does not suck and creating lifelong friendships is still very much possible.

I am sure you have read between the lines, but here's the tip. No matter how scary the potential of losing relationships might be when you are no longer the IT party girl, you have to trust that there are people in this world who will love you for exactly who you are now. But it's up to you to put yourself out there, get out of your comfort zone, round up all your bravery, grit, and fearlessness, and take the steps that put you into situations where others can see and approach you and vice versa.

I know it's scary, but personally, I would rather risk being rejected for the chance to actively participate in creating a fantastic group of supportive and caring women in my life.

The risks I have taken most certainly have paid off.

XX, Mia

*Below, you will find the Zoom link for tomorrow’s Happy Hour!

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And you can always share with a friend.

HAPPY HOUR Saturday, May 6th

Join live at 10:00 AM Pacific.

We will be discussing all things midlife, along with anything that was covered over the past few months. If you are an upgraded subscriber to The Feel Good Studio, a Zoom link will be sent to you tonight!