Welcome back to Embrace Midlife! In this candid solo episode, I’m opening up about a chapter of my life that many of you have asked me to expand on — my drinking career. If you’ve listened to the very first episodes of the podcast, you’ve heard the beginnings of my story. But today, I go deeper — sharing the real, raw timeline of how drinking wove its way into my life, from my 20s through midlife, motherhood, business, breast cancer, and beyond.
I reflect on how I didn’t drink much as a teen, how my drinking habits evolved during my marriage to a professional sportsman, and the way loneliness, postnatal depression, and life transitions led to more frequent and excessive drinking in my 30s and 40s.
I also talk about the rise of mummy wine culture, my battles with mental health (including postnatal depression and hospitalization), the breast cancer diagnosis that changed everything, and how I used alcohol to numb, cope, and escape. I reveal the moments that became turning points — the scary symptoms, the heartfelt text to my family, the visit to my long-time GP — and how those steps eventually led me toward sobriety and sober curiosity.
This episode is Part 1 of a two-part series that leads into next season’s focus: The Sober Curious Season.
If you're a woman in midlife navigating your own relationship with alcohol, this episode may feel like looking in a mirror. You're not alone, and this space is here for you.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Resources Mentioned:
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