Perceptions

Stick with it, one day at a time, and it will get easier.
Much love,
Claire
Beautiful





In the Office

Rosettes

Yum

Other People

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There are situations even now, that I won’t put myself in. It’s not because I’m afraid I’ll drink again, because I’m not. It’s more that I don’t want to be surrounded by people that do. At times, we’re on separate paths, and that’s okay, it’s like, I wouldn’t go to a gym just to watch people work out, so why would I go to a pub to watch people drink? I’m realising more and more that I’m okay with that.
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Before, when I was invited to something, I wouldn’t have been so honest, I would have tried to go, and either got grumpy or stressed out because it wasn’t where I wanted to be. I’m learning it’s okay, that I don’t need to be afraid of upsetting people, because my thoughts and feelings matter too. It’s my choice not to drink, a good one that I stand by, and if I want it to stick, then I have to defend it, and not be ashamed. So that’s what I’m doing. I can’t believe I’ll have been doing it for six years next month. There was a time when six days was impossible.
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My advice is to just do you. It will get easier. It will be challenging too, and not everyone will understand, but unless they’ve walked in your shoes, we can’t expect them to. Trust me, those that matter will stay, and in the long run the journey will be so worthwhile.
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Take care of yourselves x
In Need of Some Sober Inspiration?




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All are available on Amazon, or for a signed copy, visit my Etsy page.
Behind the Scenes
Just a little bit of laser engraving, watch to the end to see the finished products.
💖 . #sober #soberlife #sobercurious #soberaf #soberliving #sobermum #sobermovement #soberlifestyle #sobernation #sobercommunity #sobertribe #soberjourney #soberthinking #sobermotivation #soberisbetter #sobriety #sobrietyjourney #sobrietyisbeautiful ♬ Stories - Lux-Inspira" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Stories-7030730469670946817">♬ Stories - Lux-Inspira@soberme_claire Packing up items to post out tomorrow. Check out my Etsy shop for more sober gifts and cards
Available Now!
Are you sober curious? Maybe questioning your relationship with alcohol? I've been working on this. I'm so excited to share it with you! Okay, so buying a journal won't magically make you sober, but it will give you a focus, for the good and the bad moments. Journals are a simple and effective way to keep you on track and I've used my knowledge as a qualified sober coach to help keep you focussed. • If you're dipping your toe into the pool of sobriety who knows, this might be just what you are looking for!
original sound - SoberMe_Claire" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7131274519578200838">♬ original sound - SoberMe_Claire@soberme_claire Are you sober curious? Maybe questioning your relationship with alcohol? I've been working on this. I'm so excited to share it with you! Okay, so buying a journal won't magically make you sober, but it will give you a focus, for the good and the bad moments. Journals are a simple and effective way to keep you on track and I've used my knowledge as a qualified sober coach to help keep you focussed. • If you're dipping your toe into the pool of sobriety who knows, this might be just what you are looking for! . . #soberweekend #sober #soberlife #sobercurious #soberaf #soberliving #sobermum #sobermovement #soberlifestyle #sobernation #sobercommunity #sobertribe #soberjourney #soberthinking #sobermotivation #soberisbetter #sobriety #sobrietyjourney #sobrietyisbeautiful #anxiety #copingstrategies #soberstories #sharing #soberinspiration #sobervibes #sobersaturday #nohangoversunday #sobersummer #booktok #bookstagram #quitlit ♬
Last Night

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We avoided the heat of the day and went down to the beach after work, around 7pm. We built sandcastles and swam in the sea as the sun went down, not all of us, just me, my husband and two of our four kids. We talked and laughed. Around 10pm we made our way back to the car, because it was getting dark, and the midges were beginning to bite, not because I wanted a drink. We came home and ate a very late dinner, and then went to bed. I was relaxed, I didn’t ruin the night because I wanted to drink or because I had got drunk. I remember everything, the coldness of the water, the sand between my toes, and how happy I am to be with my family. Nothing gets in the way anymore. There’s no panic over what I might have said, or might have done, because I was 100% there. I’ve said it before, but the simple things matter so much more now, because I slow down long enough to see them.


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Have a great day, where ever you are!
Etsy Packaging
Packing up items to post out tomorrow. Check out my Etsy shop for more sober gifts and cards 💖
💖 . #sober #soberlife #sobercurious #soberaf #soberliving #sobermum #sobermovement #soberlifestyle #sobernation #sobercommunity #sobertribe #soberjourney #soberthinking #sobermotivation #soberisbetter #sobriety #sobrietyjourney #sobrietyisbeautiful ♬ Stories - Lux-Inspira" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Stories-7030730469670946817">♬ Stories - Lux-Inspira@soberme_claire Packing up items to post out tomorrow. Check out my Etsy shop for more sober gifts and cards
Friday Night


My Friday nights certainly look different now, but I am not complaining! We had a lovely, unrushed evening at the beach after the heat of the sun had gone. The water was so warm too! Feeling full of gratitude!


BoardMasters

The Road to Recovery


Okay, so buying a journal won’t magically make you sober, but it will give you a focus, for the good and the bad moments. Journals are a simple and effective way to keep you on track and I’ve used my knowledge as a qualified sober coach to help keep you focussed.
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If you’re dipping your toe into the pool of sobriety who knows, this might be just what you are looking for!



Shopping

Sober Tokens

Sober Adventures

This year I’ve done things I never would have done before; while small to many, they are huge for me. I’ve found making a booking is just the first step… after that I start to panic. It’s the logistics, the what if’s, and I’m not sure why, because I can’t ever remember things going terribly wrong before. I just expect that they will. As we get closer, it seems less and less achievable. It’s weird wanting to do something at the same time as wanting a good enough reason not to do it.
Last weekend, me and my daughter went to Happy Place Festival. Not a big thing you might think, but it is when we live in Cornwall and had to go to London for it. I booked the sleeper train, arriving at Paddington at 5am; plenty of time to explore and get breakfast beforehand.
I’ll be honest, I panicked. Not the usual ‘oh dear where am I going’ rather, ‘ah I can’t breathe and everyone is looking,’ but I got through it. Did I want to run away? Yes, but to be honest, once in London, there was nowhere to go. I’m really proud of myself for doing it, for not giving in, for not letting fear and anxiety hold me back. I’m also proud of Katie for understanding and tolerating my crazy. I hate that I get anxious and feel like a burden, but I was okay, and I wouldn’t have been a while back.
The festival was great. We listened to inspirational speakers, ate lovely food and did brilliant things. There wasn’t a drop of alcohol in sight and that was refreshing. It was nice that everyone had the same calm, relaxed mindset. The journey home on the train was very different with lots of rowdy football supporters! It was a challenge, but I managed and I’m glad. I’m going to carry on pushing myself although I might take a break in between to reset!
Gratitude





Avoiding the Heat


Summer Days




We might not be going on holiday this year, but who needs to when we live here?
Happy Place
Sober adventures with my lovely daughter this weekend. Honestly I had a couple of panicky moments, but never in a million years would I have contemplated such a full on 700 mile round trip and day out when I was drinking. We had so much fun - no alcohol required!
Good Time - Jodie Harsh" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Good-Time-7064865236469172226">♬ Good Time - Jodie Harsh@soberme_claire Sober adventures with my lovely daughter this weekend. Honestly I had a couple of panicky moments, but never in a million years would I have contemplated such a full on 700 mile round trip and day out when I was drinking. We had so much fun - no alcohol required! #london #happyplacefestival #chiswickhouse #mumanddaughter #soberweekend #sober #soberlife #sobercurious #soberaf #soberliving #sobermum #sobermovement #soberlifestyle #sobernation #sobercommunity #sobertribe #soberjourney #soberthinking #sobermotivation #soberisbetter #sobriety #sobrietyjourney #sobrietyisbeautiful #anxiety #copingstrategies #soberstories #sharing #soberinspiration #sobervibes #sobersaturday #nohangoversunday ♬
Today



Days like these would never have happened before I was sober.
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Check my story for more from today.


Blurt

Sharing

Lunch Date


It’s been a busy week, so today, I’m slowing down and making time, because the little things matter so much

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Reasons

It’s Quite Clear, I Don’t Miss It

My teenager was summoned to the door by other teenagers requiring access. Some nodded towards me, others didn’t, and once they were in, that was it, the house apparently was theirs. I didn’t mind, not while they were being respectful, but it’s funny that the parental gatekeepers of the front door don’t seem to exist as they once did. There was no small talk or forced politeness. I was the one who felt awkward in the house.
Suffice to say, we didn’t sleep much that night, but one by one, the teenagers departed, leaving the house quieter and quieter until four remained, watching movies in the lounge. When I got up the next morning, they were still asleep, four mounds under the covers. I looked outside, my lovely garden strewn with rubbish, but other than that, everything seemed to have survived. The house was all in one piece, and so were they. Although I am sure, several of them had sore heads.
For me it’s too much drama. I don’t miss that at all. The tears and unpredictable emotions that I witnessed from the other side, as one or two of them drank more than they should. No harm was done, but I know my own teenager was more stressed than necessary, feeling a watchful eye needed to be kept all night. The evening of fun and enjoyment was ruined for him by those who lacked control. It’s a hard lesson, but one I hope he learns while he’s young, before he makes the mistakes I did. On the good side, whatever else happened, it served a good reminder to me, for why I don’t drink, and for that, I’m grateful to them.
Better Than Before
You know that moment when something literally speaks to you? Well, @lizzobeeating has hit the nail on the head with this one. Sobriety has changed me, and while I’m not going to pretend everything is rosy now, things are a whole lot better than they were. I’m a lot better than I was. So don’t beat yourselves up about what has gone before, instead try to let it shape who you are now.
About Damn Time - Lizzo" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/About-Damn-Time-7086201843973621762">♬ About Damn Time - Lizzo@soberme_claire Sometimes the lyrics of a song can really hit the mark. Don’t beat yourselves up about what has gone before, instead let us shape who we are now. .#sober #soberlife #sobercurious #soberaf #soberliving #sobermum #sobermovement #soberlifestyle #sobernation #sobercommunity #sobertribe #soberjourney #soberthinking #sobermotivation #soberisbetter #sobriety #sobrietyjourney #sobrietyisbeautiful #anxiety #copingstrategies #soberstories #sharing #soberinspiration #sobervibes ♬
Waves


Breaking Up

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Thanks @walking_the_straight_line


this was too good not to share!
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I don't care how long it takes to feel like I'm totally free of all the negative effects that alcohol had on my life...
Everything about me and my life improves every month that I'm sober, and that's more than good enough for me.