I havenāt had a drink in over five years now, but the truth is
I still get the odd "I ned a drink" pinch - the desire for a wine.
It doesnāt last though ā and thatās the difference. That's where my power lies.
Because I have the tools. I know my story. I know my why.
And that changes everything.
Why Our Story Matters

One of the biggest parts of changing your relationship with alcohol is being willing to look at your story.
Like, really look at it.
Not to blame. Not to feel shame. But to get clarity.
Because clarity is power.
(Thatās literally what I say in Module 1 of the Mindfully Sober Program ā and I mean it.)
š You canāt change what you donāt face.
š§” And you, my friend, are brave enough to face it.
For me, part of my story is growing up around alcohol.
Having a parent who struggled.
Then being the party girl. The wine lover. The āIāll just have oneā person who ends up in a Uber, wasted.. and spewing at work the next morning.
š The one who still drank even when I knew it was not the place or time - it was totally inappropriate.
š Iāve been that person who promised she wouldnāt drink and then did.
š The one who felt sick, anxious, tired, spewy.
š The one who broke her arm, her ankle, her toe, and her elbow while drinking (true stories...).
š The one who could function, who was a high achiever and appreciated but didnāt feel proud of herself.
š The one who didn't harm anyone, but who still knew alcohol wasn't meant to be there anymore.
And even though Iāve been sober for years now, the truth is ā that little voice still pops up sometimes: "I could really do with a drink."
But because Iāve done the work to understand my patterns, it doesnāt last.
"Of course not - I'll have drink, but without alcohol" is the answer.
Thatās what I want for you. Being "Mindfully Sober".
Hereās a few things you might want to reflect on, either in your journal, in your mind, or just in your heart:
Whatās your first memory of alcohol ā and how did it shape how you see it now?
Were there turning points? Big "enough is enough" moments?
What role has alcohol played for you? (Comfort? Escape? Social?)
What has it cost you ā mentally, physically, emotionally, financially?
Who do you drink with? What are the patterns?
Whatās something funny, ironic, or uncomfortable about your relationship with alcohol?
What problem has alcohol been solving? And⦠what problems has it been creating?
You donāt need to have it all figured out.
But getting honest about these parts of your story makes it way harder to fall back into that āI wasnāt that badā¦ā trap.
(We all know that one!..)
Maybe itās a health scare.
Maybe itās a GP giving you that look.
Maybe itās waking up at 3AM with a dry mouth, a racing heart, and a pit of regret.
Maybe itās menopause making you feel like crap already, with alcohol just making it worse.
Maybe youāre tired of the same loop on repeat.
Maybe you just want to get rid of this habit, this addiction that has a hold on you.
Maybe you're ready to reshape your relationships and friendships around alcohol.
Whatever it is ā your story matters. And itās yours to shape.
Here are two simple prompts you can use to start reflecting:
š What is one thing I never want to feel again because of alcohol?
š What would my life look like if I was 100% proud of it?
Write what comes up. No filter. No pressure. Just honesty.
It doesnāt have to be pretty ā it just has to be yours.
This blog isnāt about guilt.
Itās about giving yourself the gift of clarity ā so that moving forward feels like a choice, not a punishment.
Youāve made it this far. Youāre reading this. That means something.
When youāre ready to take the next step, the Mindfully Sober Program is here.
And Iāll be right here, too.
š§” Join the program: www.mindfullysober.net
Youāve got this.
And Iāve got you.
Be on your own side,
Sophie šæ
Written by: Sophie Anderson


About the Author

Hello, I'm Sophie, and I am so glad you're here!
I am a burnout prevention specialist and the creator of the Anderson Model of Burnout Prevention (AMBPā¢) - a practical framework that maps how burnout accumulates across three zones: Activation, Over-functioning and Depletion, and identifies the intervention points that stop professionals from crossing the threshold into burnout.
I work with professionals, leaders and organisations across Australia and worldwide through personal coaching, keynotes and workplace wellbeing programs.

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Ā© Sophie Anderson 2026 | All rights reserved
ABN 99662932852
š Cairns, Australia

I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which I coach, collaborate and grow, the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji and Yirrganydji Peoples. I acknowledge and pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the worldās oldest living culture and embrace their continued connection to land, waters and community. I pay my deepest respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.
I also recognise, value and celebrate diversity and act in the spirit of inclusion.