After a six-month hiatus, I’m back — with clarity, vulnerability, and a few dating disasters worth laughing over. In this deeply honest episode, I open up about what nine months of alcohol-free dating has taught me about my patterns, self-worth, and the kind of love I'm truly seeking.
From chasing emotionally unavailable partners to realizing how many first dates feel like monologues, I reflect on the painful, funny, and unexpectedly healing parts of modern dating — sober. I share the inner shifts I’ve experienced, why temporary highs are no longer worth the crash, and how every relationship (or lack thereof) is a mirror guiding me back to myself.
Whether you're sober-curious, dating, single, or simply doing the deep work of healing, there’s something in this episode for you.
Key Takeaways:
The impact of sobriety on clarity, patterns, and emotional availability in dating
Why we chase temporary highs and what that reveals about unresolved wounds
How to break the cycle of seeking worth through conquest
The subtle (and not-so-subtle) red flags that become obvious when you're sober
The emotional toll of performative dating culture and one-sided conversations
How dating is a mirror for our deepest insecurities — and our growth
The importance of staying grounded in your worth regardless of someone else’s attention
Check out my book, Struck Inside Out: Essays, Meditations, and Poetry to Help You Heal Heartbreak, Embrace Change, and Love Yourself: https://www.amazon.com/Struck-Inside-Out-Meditations-Heartbreak/dp/B0BP4D8MTT
Struck Inside Out Audiobook: https://www.amazon.com/Struck-Inside-Out-Meditations-Heartbreak/dp/B0CPYW3JPM/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Spotify Writing Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7BRDzK21DbrIEadQdjoPjR?si=0f9ec1aaddfd4e52
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Audio Producer: Owen Kelly
Follow Owen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mixedbyowen_?igsh=ZzB1ZWdoOGd1aTV3
