The Sober Glow Studio is a weekly newsletter providing stories, recommendations, and resources on the art of living an alcohol-free lifestyle, navigating midlife, and anything that simply feels good.
READ: What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman. I did something last week that I swore I would never do. I have been a die-hard book lover for years. Like an actual book. The feel while holding it. The smell. The placement on the bookshelf for years to come. I never thought I would do anything different until I purchased a Kindle last week. I went back and forth for about two months tossing around the idea, even asking my husband about it, who is highly turned off by the idea of it. He, too, is a die-hard hold-the-book-in-your-hand kind of man. I can’t believe I will say this, but I actually love it. It’s so easy to hold. I can read and walk around. I can read in bed, in the car (passenger), at the beach, at work on breaks, and in the tub. But what I like about it most is that I only want to read fun and frivolous books. No improvement, no self-care, nada. Just pure fun, which is something I need. What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding was the first book I picked. It had everything I love and have experienced, a female voice, travel, debauchery, the back and forth about children, settling down, and growing up. It was a perfect first pick. Trigger warning, the author talks a lot, as in all of it, about booze, sex, and making all the wrong choices that are actually right for the time and place. It’s a fun summer read and, at the same time, made me appreciate how far I have come, given all the craziness that I experienced when I was younger.
MOVE: JumpSport Fitness Mini Tramp (I have the 230f model). Whenever I post this on IG, people will DM me with the question, "Do you love it?" Yes, yes, I love it. It's so damn fun. But I generally like to use it very gently as opposed to getting a serious sweat (which you definitely can do!) Look up an LEK Fit class or the MVMNT Society online and in IRL for the sweaty kind of workout. I like to use it gently for moving lymph and small muscle activation. As we know, the lymphatic system (our detox system and part of our immune system) is made up of organs, vessels, tissue, and lymph. There's no heart to pump the lymph, so we need to actively move it. Here is a short video on how you can gently use the trampoline. I love to do it while watching TV instead of just sitting on the couch. Not everything has to be a hardcore workout, nor does it mean we should sit sedentary all day, either.
BEAUTY: Noy Skincare Jade Gua Sha. Yes, you can literally use your own hands to perform a facial massage. But if you feel like splurging on the sexiest gua sha on the market, this is it. A gua sha is the only tool where I see remarkable results immediately after use. The trick is, like anything, you have to use it and do so consistently. And you have to know what you are doing. There are three experts I suggest getting to know if you are interested in this natural beauty technique. Danna Omari of Noy Skincare and the designer of that sexy gua sha. Britta Plug, co-owner of Wildling Beauty. A company that makes tools as well as tutorials on youtube and their IG account. I use and enjoy both this and this. And lastly, if you would like a personalized demonstration made just for you, check out Samantha Story and all of her offerings online and IRL.
Scroll on to read my answer (part two) to the question I got on midlife skincare. Here is part one. I will touch upon what I’ve done, what I would consider trying, and what I will never do again, as well as thoughts on the shame placed on women and their choices when it comes to pro-aging, anti-aging, and just aging-aging. And, as always, more and more resources. If you love this space, share it with a friend.