Joy of Sobriety: Catherine Gray’s books promote the joys of sobriety, showing that an alcohol-free life can be rewarding. They offer practical advice for those seeking to embrace this lifestyle, especially during sober October.
Catherine Gray’s journey into sobriety shows that living an alcohol-free life can be fulfilling and joyful. Through her books, she shares her experiences of overcoming the challenges of heavy drinking and inspires others to find freedom and personal growth without alcohol. Reading her work can provide valuable insights and practical advice, especially for those considering sobriety during sober October. It’s important to know that sobriety is not about missing out but rather embracing a new way of life filled with unexpected joys and healing. Dr. Alex George shares that Catherine’s memoir helped him immensely as he navigated his own path to sobriety. This conversation not only highlights the importance of mental health but also the positive aspects of living without alcohol, encouraging listeners who might be hesitant about alcohol-free living to reconsider their choices and find support in community and literature.
Joy in Sobriety: Sobriety can initially seem daunting, but it often leads to a more fulfilling and joyful life. Overcoming fear and anxiety associated with quitting alcohol reveals lasting rewards and improved mental health, inspiring others to embrace their own journey toward sobriety.
Finding joy in sobriety is a journey that often starts with a struggle against addiction. Many people fear that quitting alcohol will only bring deprivation and anxiety, but as time goes on, they discover that life without alcohol can become more fulfilling. Initially, adjusting to sobriety can be challenging, but with support and determination, individuals can experience significant improvements in their mental health, social interactions, and overall joy in life. Writing and sharing experiences can help others see the positive side of being sober, proving that recovery can lead to a happier, more rewarding life. It is possible to overcome the fear of facing the world without alcohol, and that journey can inspire others to start their own path toward sobriety and well-being.
Understanding Addiction: Recognizing a drinking problem can be difficult, especially when life appears glamorous. Attempts to moderate drinking that constantly fail signal a deeper issue. Acknowledging this is essential for recovery and empowerment.
Struggling with alcohol can often go unnoticed, especially when life looks glamorous from the outside. Many people may envy a fast-paced lifestyle filled with parties and celebrity encounters, yet the reality can be far different. It's crucial to recognize that wanting to moderate drinking is a significant sign of trouble. When attempting to limit alcohol intake frequently fails, and drinking habits escalate beyond healthy limits, it indicates a problem. Acknowledging this and understanding that addiction is about the substance, not the person, is a vital step toward recovery. Owning one’s story and experiences, rather than hiding behind a false identity or shame, empowers individuals to move forward and embrace living sober.
Alcohol's Impact: Drinking can transform fun into problems, leading to regretful actions. Quitting allows for personal growth and discovering one's true self, free from alcohol's influence.
Drinking alcohol can lead to a cycle where fun turns into problems. Many people start with good times but end up making poor choices that hurt themselves and others. It’s easy to lose control, and as time goes on, drinking can reveal sides of ourselves we don’t like. When people stop drinking, they often find they’re not the person they thought they were during those drinking years. Acknowledging past mistakes can be tough, but it's important to be kind to oneself and understand that many behaviors stem from the influence of alcohol. Overall, quitting drinking can lead to personal growth and a clearer sense of who we really are, free from the regrets tied to alcohol-induced actions.
Compassionate Recovery: Self-compassion is key to overcoming addiction; treating oneself with love fosters healing and encourages the belief that one is worth saving.
Building compassion towards oneself is crucial in overcoming addiction. Recognizing that past mistakes stemmed from a desire to cope with anxiety and pain is essential. Engaging in living amends—a practice of changing how we treat ourselves instead of merely apologizing—can foster a healthier self-relationship. This shift allows for self-care practices like proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise, leading to improved feelings of self-worth. Many individuals who struggle with addiction find themselves caught in a cycle of guilt and self-loathing, often self-medicating to feel normal. A pivotal moment in recovery comes when one realizes that continuing down the path of addiction could lead to severe consequences, including death. Embracing a belief in one's worth can inspire the desire to heal and move past addiction, affirming that self-love is vital for recovery.
Changing Perspectives: You don’t need to hit rock bottom to stop drinking; positive changes can happen at any point. If you’re happier without alcohol, consider taking a break. Society’s perception is shifting, and choosing not to drink is increasingly becoming a healthy lifestyle choice.
Rock bottom is not a necessary threshold for deciding to stop drinking. It can mean different things to different people, and many realize they feel better without alcohol even before reaching a dramatic low point. Society’s belief that you must hit rock bottom to change is misleading. Instead, if not drinking makes you happier, try taking a break for a few months to see how you feel. This shift in mindset allows people to evaluate their relationship with alcohol without fear of judgment. It’s positive to see more people being encouraged for abstaining from alcohol today compared to the past, as societal attitudes are slowly changing. Embracing non-drinking as a healthy choice is becoming more accepted, making it less of a taboo and more of a lifestyle choice, promoting overall well-being and self-awareness.
Positive Sobriety: Society is increasingly recognizing the positive aspects of sobriety, with younger generations leading a movement away from drinking. Committing to sobriety for at least three months can reveal its benefits and create a more fulfilling social experience.
There is a noticeable shift in societal attitudes towards sobriety and healthy living. Instead of facing pity or judgment when choosing not to drink, many now inquire about the positive aspects of sobriety. It’s encouraging that younger generations, like Gen Z, are leading this change, with many opting not to drink at all. This movement emphasizes the benefits of a longer commitment to sobriety, with a recommendation to try for three months instead of just one. This period allows individuals to truly appreciate the rewards of sober living and to discover new joys and social comforts without alcohol. As perceptions evolve, conversations are changing from focusing on the negatives of quitting drinking to celebrating the positive experiences that come from a sober lifestyle, marking a hopeful and empowering trend.
Pt 1: Doing Sober October? Start Here | Catherine Gray
Stompcast
338 Episodes
Recent Episodes from Stompcast
Pt 3: The Unexpected Joys of Being Sober | Catherine Gray
In part 3, Catherine Gray and Dr Alex George share all the best bits of not drinking – and some may surprise you.
Catherine shares the financial and personal development benefits of sobriety, how it affected her relationships and how it changes the way you deal with tougher times.
Follow @unexpectedjoyof and get her book, ‘The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober’
Get Catherine’s debut novel ‘Versions of a Girl’
Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast
To improve your mental fitness, get Dr Alex’s book The Mind Manual
Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pt 2: Top Tips for Sober Socialising | Catherine Gray
In part 2, Catherine Gray explains why trying sobriety for 30 days isn’t enough, and why 90 days is the real test.
Catherine and Dr Alex discuss why you shouldn’t avoid socialising during Sober October or Dry January, how to prepare for the different ways people may react to you not drinking and Catherine shares her top tips for socialising sober including the big one: weddings.
Follow @unexpectedjoyof and get her book, ‘The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober’
Get Catherine’s debut novel ‘Versions of a Girl’
Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast
To improve your mental fitness, get Dr Alex’s book The Mind Manual
Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pt 1: Doing Sober October? Start Here | Catherine Gray
We’re kicking off World Mental Health Month with the author of ‘The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober’, Catherine Gray.
11 years ago, Catherine had a ‘raging alcohol addiction’, but since her recovery, she’s become an integral voice to help people go sober every day. In this episode, she joins Dr Alex George to share her key lessons and the tips she’d offer to the sober curious.
In part 1, Catherine shares the anxiety she had around being alcohol-free, the reasons why she couldn’t just cut down her intake and the personal transformation that has come with putting the bottle down.
Catherine also shares her thoughts on whether you must hit rock bottom before you stop.
Follow @unexpectedjoyof and get her book, ‘The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober’
Get Catherine’s debut novel ‘Versions of a Girl’
Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast
To improve your mental fitness, get Dr Alex’s book The Mind Manual
Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pt 3: How to Heal From Heartbreak | Jordan Stephens
Jordan Stephens starts off part 3 with the hidden story behind an iconic photo, showing that we never know what’s going on in someone's life behind social media.
Jordan and Dr Alex go on to discuss healing after heartbreak, the feeling and fear of never being happy again and how to find opportunities to ‘fix yourself’ afterwards.
Plus, Jordan stresses the importance of sharing how you’re feeling with other people.
Follow @jordanfstephens and get his book ‘Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak & Dogs’
Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast
To improve your mental fitness, get Dr Alex’s book The Mind Manual
Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pt 2: Accepting the Death of Your Former Self | Jordan Stephens
In part 2, Jordan Stephens discusses what having a dog has taught him about love, why we have to accept the death of our former selves and what the most effective antidepressant is – and it’s something you’re already doing.
Plus, Jordan shares the ‘six tent peg’ theory by Donna Lancaster, which can help you when you’re going through chaos.
Follow @jordanfstephens and get his book ‘Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak & Dogs’
Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast
To improve your mental fitness, get Dr Alex’s book The Mind Manual
Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pt 1: Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak & Dogs | Jordan Stephens
Musician, actor and writer Jordan Stephens joins Dr Alex George for a stomp to discuss his instant Sunday Times Bestselling book ‘Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak & Dogs’.
In part 1, Jordan explains how his ADHD diagnosis led him to a creative career, he shares his “wild” ideas on how the education system needs to change and why he feels lucky to have had so much therapy.
Follow @jordanfstephens and get his book ‘Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak & Dogs’
Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast
To improve your mental fitness, get Dr Alex’s book The Mind Manual
Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pt 3: Families Belong Together: How Displaced Families are Reunited | British Red Cross
Giulia Gosi works for the British Red Cross in London, and in part 3 of this partnership with the British Red Cross, Dr Alex speaks to Guila about how she is supporting families who have been separated by conflict or persecution.
We talk about the emotional journey that families face and learn what it takes to safely reunite them.
TW: In this episode we mention FGM. Look after yourself and listen with caution.
For more information on what the British Red Cross does and how you can help head to www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/here-for-humanity
Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast
To improve your mental fitness, get Dr Alex’s book The Mind Manual
Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pt 2: Dealing with Devastation: Meet the Everyday People Responding to Floods, Storms and Fires | British Red Cross
In part 2 of this Stompcast partnership with the British Red Cross, Alex talks to David Craigie – an emergency response volunteer in the north of Scotland who has supported people after devastating storms and floods. He shares his journey of how he came to work with the British Red Cross and the challenges he overcame to help people going through some of the toughest times of their lives.
For more information on what the British Red Cross does and how you can help head to www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/here-for-humanity
Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast
To improve your mental fitness, get Dr Alex’s book The Mind Manual
Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pt 1: Is it Possible to Stay Neutral in World Conflicts? | British Red Cross
In a world where conflicts lead to divisions of many, there are an incredible group of people who manage to stay neutral in order to support the greater good.
Claire is the Director of International Law and Policy at the British Red Cross, leading on their work involving international law and humanitarian principles. Humanity is at the heart of everything the British Red Cross do, and in part 1 of this partner series, she discusses how operating with neutrality allows the British Red Cross to access conflict zones and get help to people who need it most.
For more information on what the British Red Cross does and how you can help head to www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/here-for-humanity
Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast
To improve your mental fitness, get Dr Alex’s book The Mind Manual
Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pt 3: What is “Normal” When it Comes to Sex? | Dr Paula Hall
In part 3, Dr Paula Hall breaks down the common problems people have when it comes to porn and what is really happening when the “spark” fizzles out in your relationship.
Plus, she answers how often couples should have sex and why we’re talking about sex more but having it less.
For support or to check out Dr Paula’s work, go to www.pivotalrecovery.org and thelaurelcentre.co.uk
Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast
To improve your mental fitness, get Dr Alex’s book The Mind Manual
Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.