My First Year of Sobriety: What I Did to Stay Alcohol-Free

 
Portrait of Lori Massicot, host of the To 50 and Beyond podcast, wearing a navy blazer and white top, standing indoors and looking calmly toward the camera.

episode 326

When I quit drinking on August 11, 2013, at age 45, I woke up the next day with one thought: Now what? After 30 years of drinking, I had no idea what to do next. My mantra became "whatever it takes" - I was committed to protecting myself from myself and anything else that threatened my sobriety.

If you are in your first year, I want to remind you that we are all different. What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa.

Listen to this episode to help you pull out what is helping you and what isn’t. It’s a great opportunity to reflect and practice loads of self-awareness. I’m with you!

Here are the things that helped me during my first year:

1. I Went “All In”

I made sobriety my commitment and priority. Despite not being a naturally disciplined person, I committed fully to myself and what I wanted more than alcohol. This commitment helped me work through the doubt and fear, holding me accountable to myself. When urges came, I'd "roll the tape forward" and remember what just one sip would lead to.

2. I Focused On My “Why”

I wanted to feel better, age better, and stop repeating the same patterns. When cravings hit, I'd remind myself: "You'll never get to where you want to be if you go back to drinking." Each week of keeping my word to myself built momentum and proof that I could trust myself.

3. I Protected Myself

I said no to anything that might jeopardize my sobriety. I avoided grocery shopping sometimes, declined social events where I'd normally drink, and never bought or stored alcohol.

4. I Kept Busy

I channeled my energy into organizing, cleaning, and growing my house cleaning business. Without hangovers holding me back, my six-year-old business flourished that year. No more canceling Monday jobs or spending two extra hours cleaning a house because I was sick from drinking.

5. Started "Project Me"

I made exercise my project, diving into YouTube videos about workouts for midlife women. That gym membership I'd gotten just before quitting drinking got used! Sunday mornings - previously my favorite drinking day - became my time to center myself in the spin bike room. At 57, I feel physically stronger and mentally better than I did at 45.

6. Read Quit-Lit

Books like Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp and Mommy Doesn't Drink Here Anymore by Rachael Brownell became my guides. Today, there's much more "quit lit" available, but personal development books like Atomic Habits by James Clear (my favorite) are great books to help you create new habits after you stop drinking.

7. Learned to Sit with Discomfort

I practiced sitting with discomfort, joy, and awkwardness without reaching for a drink. I learned that triggers and cravings pass - and don't last nearly as long as the regret and shame after drinking. Instead of automatically reaching for alcohol, I'd ask myself: What do I really need? A conversation? A hug? A nap? A walk? Or maybe just to be still?

If you're struggling to get past alcohol cravings, please seek professional help. Start with your doctor—I know it's not easy, but in today's world, there are many options available for support to overcome alcohol dependency.

8. Talked About My Feelings

I stopped "sucking it up" and started writing in my journal and talking to my husband about my fears of never drinking again. He became my greatest listener and cheerleader, even though he was once my biggest drinking buddy. Today, I have a community of midlife women who understand exactly what I'm going through, something I lacked in those early days.

If you're looking for community in midlife, check out Team Alcohol-Free. We understand where you are and we have your back.

9. Treated Myself to Sugar

I ate cakes, cookies, ice cream, and candy without guilt. Having never had a sweet tooth while drinking (my sugar came from alcohol), I suddenly craved sweets as rewards. I told myself, "Not drinking is a full-time job - I deserve a cake!" Two years later, I was ready to address the sugar habit, but in that first year, whatever got me through without alcohol was fair game.

What Is Helping You Stay Alcohol-Free?

Start with why you want to be alcohol-free, check in with your commitment to living alcohol-free, and reflect on what helps and what doesn’t. Is there an area of your life where you could recommit to more of what supports your alcohol-free lifestyle?

I would love to hear from you!

If you’re up for sharing what helps you stay alcohol-free, please email me at hellolori@lorimassicot.

 
Portrait of Lori Massicot, host of the To 50 and Beyond podcast, wearing a black top and smiling against a neutral background.

Hey, there! I’m Lori, the host of the To 50 and Beyond podcast.

Where aging and living alcohol-free are celebrated.

To 50 and Beyond is about self-discovery, living for today, and designing an alcohol-free life that alcohol can’t compete with.

I’m with you.

You can listen to more episodes here.


Did you enjoy the episode?

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love it if you’d take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Your review is greatly appreciated and helps another woman who is searching for support in living alcohol-free later in life.

Make sure to follow along on Apple and Spotify so you can listen to new episodes coming your way.

Thank you! ✌🏻

Another way to share support for me and the podcast.






Previous
Previous

Listen to Help You Play the Tape Forward

Next
Next

Learning to Love Yourself More with Paula Muller