Badges
Sorting out stock for my Etsy shop today! They are proving quite popular! Be Kind
Sunday Morning thought for you all. I saw this and it made me think about all the ways I am kinder to other people than I am to myself. I know I’m not the only one. So take the time to notice the good things you do too. Because you matter.The Apprentice
Just watching The Apprentice from this week… what an interesting task the candidates were given this week, to make non-alcoholic drinks. It’s a shame none of them were that appealing but nice to see something like that being tackled! Well done Lord Sugar! BBC Apprentice ..#Repost from BBC Apprentice•No green and brown colour combinations were harmed in the making of this episode #TheApprenticeMy Books
Whether you’re sober curious or looking to make a long lasting change, now is a great time to make a start. Choosing sobriety is brave and empowering, but the best way to be successful is not to rely on willpower alone, perhaps even feeling like you’re missing out. Instead changing the way you think about alcohol and identifying the reasons why you might choose to drink will help you fill your toolbox with alternatives.My second book, My Not So Secret Guide to Recovering, is packed with useful tips, full of facts and easy to read. This book will help you navigate your way to a successful sobriety.Remember, sobriety is not a weakness, it’s a superpower - get ready to embrace it! Why wait until tomorrow? https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Not-Secret.../dp/B09MSJV97CIt's not a race...
It didn’t take me just one go to get sober, or two or three, come to think if it. That doesn’t really matter now, what matters is that when I did finally work it out, it finally stuck. Don’t compare yourself to others, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Reading
The problem with doing so much of my reading on my kindle is that I can rarely take photos of lovely books I’m reading… some books are worth making an exception like this one from Fearne Cotton - I have to admit, it has sucked me in! Here’s hoping some of the advice sticks with me! The Broken Road to Mental Health
A few weeks ago I recorded this podcast with Sharon Fekete - from The Broken Road to Mental Health - it’s available now, I hope you enjoy! https://open.spotify.com/episode/1hHqoAb6Ug86Z92ApbOl0P
Prevention Australia
Repost from @beesober.cicOur awesome Bee Sober Cornwall Ambassador & Coach @soberme_claire spreading the word around the WORLD! This article is in the Aussie edition of Prevention Magazine and we couldn’t be prouder!!Claire you are genuinely one of the most humble, loveliest people we have ever met and we are so grateful you are a part of Bee Sober. If you haven’t read Claires books yet please, please do they are incredible, she is incredible and everyone needs somebody like this in their lives!!We are the luckiest!Thinking
I don’t get much time to myself. That isn’t a complaint, it’s just the way things are, and I don’t mind, although of course, it is nice sometimes just to get a little bit of quiet. The thing is… when it’s quiet I start to think, and when I think I start to remember.
The other morning for instance, I was driving home from the school run and it was a rare moment of quiet. I normally go to work from school, but not on a Friday. That’s the one day of the week where I come home to work on everything else I do. School is nearer to work, so I have a half an hour drive back across the moor. It’s beautiful and open and of course as I mentioned, quiet. Which I like, except my mind wanders.
While I know that our experiences shape us and make us the people we are, there are things I don’t want to remember and things I’d prefer not to worry about. Like anyone, I can’t change it. I can move forward, and that’s what I try to do most of the time. It would be so easy to drown out the things I’d rather not think about, but then, it wouldn’t get me anywhere, they’d still be there in the back of my mind. Once I might have thought wine would fix my worries, but I know now that it won’t. Even when it’s hard I face these things head on now, and I honestly think I’m better off for it.
It’s so easy to be hard on ourselves, but I’m trying not to be. I often try to remind myself that I wouldn’t talk to someone else the way I talk to myself, but it can be easier said than done. Just remember if you’re having a hard time, to be kind to yourself, things have a habit of working out for the best in the long run.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Claire x
Book Reviews
Okay, being honest, I love writing, but whenever I put anything out, whether it’s a blog post, an article or a book, I get nervous, so reading things like this post from the lovely @cat_on_a_leaf is just brilliant. Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it!#Repost from @cat_on_a_leaf
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Finished reading @soberme_claire’s new book last week and loved it! It’s very easy to read, nice short chapters, and offers a huge range of information that I wished I’d had in the early days. Here’s some of my fave chapters (and pics):
- ch 5 but I’m ok aren’t I? 100% identified with so much of that in my early days
-ch 7 challenges - this is a short one but so lovely to see some advice and acknowledgement of sober challenges.
- ch 9 what you eat is super important - this was really helpful! Sure some of it I knew, but magnesium eh? if I’d known that I might have given it a go specifically, being the anxious little ferret that I am!
- ch 14 - things that worked for me. I loved the honesty in this. Some things work and others don’t for all of us and that’s ok and it’s nice to see written in a page as a reminder. Claire once recommended that I try yoga and I’ve done it occasionally but I mostly put it on now to watch the dog in it whatever works for you is ok - go for it!
Prevention Magazine
If you're in Australia, my story has been featured in this month's Prevention Magazine Australia - I'd love to hear what you think!
Be Kind
When I was drinking, very few people knew what a dark place I was in. Honestly, they didn’t know because I became pretty damn good at hiding it. I was ashamed, but also I knew that when I finally admitted it, I’d have to do something about it. That thought alone was terrifying, so instead I put my walls up and kept people at a distance. It was an awful way to live and no one knew how I felt because I didn’t trust anyone enough not to judge me. Letting people in was hard, but you know what? Largely they were all kind, and most didn’t judge. I found there were many, many other people out there like me and realising that helped me a lot!! Gradually the shame faded and I got better.So be kind. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors, or out of sight? We are all different and doing our best to make our way in the world. Just because someone looks okay, doesn’t mean they are and if you need help, reach out.Maybe we're all a little bit like disco balls?
What a beautiful way of looking at life. Here’s to the rest of you disco balls. We rock! IPHM
Reposted from IPHM - We would like to introduce you to IPHM accredited therapist Claire Hatwell is a Senior Sober Coach with @beesober.cicAs a sober coach, I’m here to help you unlock your potential and succeed in your sober journey. I won’t tell you what to do, but I’ll help you work out the best way forward. My sessions are client led, and flexible. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but I’ll be there to listen when things are hard, and I promise one thing; I don’t judge! I understand that what’s right for one person, might not be for another.I’ve been sober since 8th September 2016. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding. I suppose I’m saying I understand how you may be feeling because I’ve been there. It took me three proper attempts to succeed at getting sober, and now I’m here, living this life, there’s no way I’d go back! I’m the Bee Sober Ambassador for Cornwall which is fantastic! I love being a part of one of the greatest sober communities I’ve found. I also have DBS clearance, public liability insurance and am a member of IPHM.You don’t have to do this alone!Alongside a BA (Hons) in Childhood and Youth Studies, Claire has training in many holistic therapies, and decided to add Sober Coaching to her skill set. Having worked for many years with children at risk, she has experience working with a wide variety of children and their families."Sober Inspiration
The week between Christmas and New Year can be a funny old time, especially at the moment, with the prospect of another set of Covid restrictions hanging over our heads. When we can't control what's going on in the world, we need to do what we can to help ourselves, and for me, that means maintaining my sobriety. Sometimes it feels like we're swimming against the tide, but in reality, we're the strong ones. Both my books are out now. The first is the story of my journey, while the second is a guide, so if you're embarking on a sober journey, or perhaps sober curious, this might be the place to start your new year. Just remember, every sober journey starts with just a moment. It all adds up.Take care of yourselves,Claire x