Wild Swimming

23 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

Misty on the moor today, and the water feels cooler again. Is it winter already?

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog

Alcohol Free and Fabulous

23 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

sober blog, Claire Hatwell, author of My Not So Secret Diary shop local in Launceston wit alcholol free drinks at COFO

Popped into town for a bit of lunch today; check out the amazing range of alcohol free options @cofo_cornishfocaccia has! Will definitely be popping back - plus the fact that my lunch was amazing!

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog

What Do You Think?

23 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

sober blog, Alcohol is Overrated Claire Hatwell, author of My Not So Secret Diary

If you’re just beginning your journey, you’re going to have to trust us on this, but honestly, it’s so true!

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#Repost from @sobahsistahs
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Alcohol is put up on a pedestal like it’s this magic liquid. You would think it was healthy, would solve your problems, make you look younger. When it does the opposite.
But the way it is used in our culture it’s as if nobody talks about that. It’s the elephant in the room.

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog

Perfect Afternoon

21 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

A perfect afternoon, park after school in the sunshine and then a splash in the pool, although I seem to be a magnet for all the lego boats!! Also, do you know how hard it is to get a five year old to smile when you want a photo?

Hey

21 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

Hey!
Just thought I'd share my books with you all, have you read either of these?

@soberme_claire Are you in need of some sober inspiration? Have you read my books? 💖 Both are available on Amazon and through all good bookshops! 💖 #books #soberbooks #sobriety #soberjourney #soberinspiration #soberlife #soberaf #sobertiktok #sobertok #sobercurious #soberliving #sobermum #soberauthor #authorsoftiktok ♬ live - Official Sound Studio" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/live-6662607336600767234">♬ live - Official Sound Studio

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog

You Are Strong

20 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

sober blog, Remember Claire Hatwell, author of My Not So Secret Diary

To anyone that needs to hear this right now, you are strong. You can do this. Don’t look too far forward, just deal with this moment

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Repost from @drop_the_bottle_
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When we have a craving to drink, our brain will come up with all sorts of reasons to justify having a drink.
Our brain will literally lie to us when we want something bad enough.
Play the tape forward.
What will really happen if you have a drink?
Think about all the negative consequences and remember why you wanted to stop in the first place.
PC: @faithfullysober

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog

London Landmarks

20 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

I honestly was going to enter the @londonlandmarkshalf right until they sent me an email offering me a free glass of prosecco as an ‘incentive’ - I’m over supporting alcohol at events like that, and to be honest, the last thing anyone wants after running 13.1 miles is alcohol!

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog

The One Rule I Live By

19 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

sober blog, If One is never enough, have none, SoberMe Claire Hatwell, author of My Not So Secret Diary

The one rule I live by

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog

Summer Sunshine

19 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

Alcohol is often portrayed as a reward, something to relax with after a long day, and while that may be true, it has a lot of other effects too, some which aren’t nearly as nice. Moving away from drinking alcohol can be difficult; we can feel we’re missing out, mainly due to the perceived romantic association that it creates a good time. It might seem we need it to produce that image, but in reality, it’s what we’re doing and who we’re with that makes a good time. Alcohol doesn’t add anything to that.
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One of the hardest things for me was getting over the idea of drinking. Hearing about a social event or driving past a beer garden was difficult; I imagined everyone enjoying themselves and felt I couldn’t. Now, a good time doesn’t include alcohol because for me, like many, the idea and the reality don’t align. I’d be chasing a feeling I couldn’t reach, where one glass isn’t enough. Rethinking and relearning are tricky, but not impossible. Now, more than ever, there are so many alternatives available which give us the opportunity to relax and unwind with something grown up or special, that won’t lead us to say something we shouldn’t or leave us waking up with a headache.
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Finding an alcohol free option is quite a refreshing alternative, mainly because you can get the same enjoyment, without the side effects, and there are so many available now, there is literally something for everyone. Personally, I steer clear of alcohol free wines as they are a bit of a reminder of times gone by, but some of the botanical gins on offer are another story. If you’re thinking about cutting down or avoiding alcohol for any reason, summer BBQ’s and social gatherings don’t need to be avoided. Many of the options, especially the alcohol free beers, don’t look any different to the traditional variety, so no one would even have to know! So why not, when you can have a drink without getting a sore head or saying something you come to regret!
I wrote this piece originally for Launceston Life - but I wanted to share it with you all too.

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog

I love this saying!

18 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

sober blog, Sober Sayings by SoberMe Claire Hatwell, author of My Not So Secret Diary

I love this saying!!

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog

My Favourite Things About A Sober Weekend

18 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

@soberme_claire #question from @soberme_claire I literally thought sobriety meant the end of the world as I knew it. I couldn’t begin to think what a sober life looked like. I didn’t know how I’d live and how I’d cope missing out on all the ‘normal’ things… now I can honestly say that before I stopped drinking, I was missing out on life. Now I get to enjoy every minute of it, the good bits and the not so good bits! Here’s some of the small reasons my weekends will always stay sober now..#sober #soberlife #sobercurious #soberaf #soberliving #sobersunday #sobermum #sobermovement #soberlifestyle #sobernation #sobercommunity #sobertribe #soberjourney #soberthinking #sobermotivation #soberisbetter #sobriety #sobrietyjourney #sobrietyisbeautiful #anxiety #copingstrategies #soberstories #sharing #soberinspiration #soberweekend #sobervibes ♬ original sound - SoberMe_Claire" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7121712503163554565">♬ original sound - SoberMe_Claire

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog

Hot Weather, Nice Drinks

17 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

sober blog, Alcohol Free drinks by SoberMe Claire Hatwell, author of My Not So Secret Diary

Hot days mean nice new drinks, ones that don’t affect my mood or give me a hangover! This one is particularly yummy and smells delicious!

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog

Wine Bottles

17 July. 2022 • Category: Addiction | Mental Health | Recovery | Anxiety

I was given a bottle of wine the other day as a present. It was a really kind thought, and the person who gave it to me had no idea about my story, or the fact that I haven’t had an alcoholic drink in 5 years and ten months (not that I’m counting). It wasn’t the present itself so much that surprised me, but actually my reaction to it. The bottle didn’t bother me at all while it was in the gift bag, but then I took it out, and held it just for a moment as I was going to give it to someone else who would make better use of it. Just for a second as I held it, I wondered if it was possible that I was fixed. I wondered if I could have a drink. Just the one you know, because surely now, after this long I could moderate? And of course, there was the idea that I was missing out by not drinking, that somehow I was being rude or ungrateful... I put the bottle down quickly, because, no, I can’t moderate, and no, one glass would not be enough. Once it was out of my hand I was fine again, because I know, I don’t actually want to drink. Afterwards I realised that I haven’t held a bottle of ‘real’ wine in years, so I suppose that alone would be a trigger. I just wasn’t expecting it, but it’s like I’ve always said, getting complacent about your sobriety is when it’s going to jump up and bite you on the arse. Addiction is always waiting.
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Honestly though, I don’t miss drinking. Yes, that bottle triggered a thought, but my reality wouldn’t have matched up to the dream my brain was trying to suggest, and I know as clear as anything, that I do not want to go down that road again.
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Just to be clear, I can drink, I’m allowed to, but I don’t want to, and that choice makes me stronger. Remember that if you’re having a wobbly moment. It’s okay to question yourself, just don’t drink. You’ll not regret that choice in the long run.

Tags: #honesty, #sober , #sobriety, #mentalhealth, #justamumfromcornwall, #writing, #sobriety, #blog, #addiction, #gratitude, #family , #recovery, #anxiety, #alcoholfree, #triggers, #mentalhealth , #cravings, #sobrietyblog