Welcome Back to Life After Last Call
In Episode 2 of Life After Last Call, we dive into the messy, rewarding, and sometimes hilarious process of healing after sobriety. My husband, Rich, and I get real about what it takes to emotionally and mentally recover after you quit drinking—and spoiler alert: it’s about more than just putting down the bottle.
Sobriety isn’t a destination; it’s a journey of self-discovery, unlearning old habits, and creating a life you’re proud of. In this episode, we reflect on our own experiences, from the pivotal moments that led us to quit drinking to the everyday work of building new routines, finding inner peace, and dealing with the critics along the way.
The Hardest Part of Sobriety: Healing
Stopping drinking is only the first step. True healing requires unpacking all the emotional baggage alcohol helped you avoid. For me, it meant letting go of the unnecessary drama and learning that my self-worth didn’t come from wild nights or living for the approval of others.
Rich shares his unique perspective, pointing out that healing also involves recognizing the ways we enabled each other in the past—and choosing to break those patterns. Together, we’ve learned that sobriety isn’t about changing who you are but transforming the choices you make and the life you build.
Unlearning Old Habits and Finding Peace
One of the biggest challenges we talk about is unlearning the habits and beliefs that tied us to drinking. For me, drinking was normalized from a young age, and it took years to realize that it wasn’t the life I wanted. Rich, on the other hand, didn’t drink much before we met, but over time, our relationship became centered around alcohol.
Healing has been about unlearning those behaviors and redefining what fun, connection, and fulfillment look like. Now, instead of spending nights at the bar, we create, design, and talk about sobriety—not as an escape but as a way to thrive.
Let Them Talk
Not everyone will understand your decision to quit drinking. And guess what? That’s okay. As we discuss in the episode, people are going to talk no matter what. Let them. Sobriety is about what works for you, not what others think about your choices.
Sobervation: A Manifestation of Sobriety
We also touch on how Sobervation, our brand, is a direct reflection of the new life we’ve built. Every item in the store, every post, and every podcast episode is a way to show others that sobriety isn’t just possible—it’s something to celebrate.
Thank you to everyone who supports the Sobervation store. Every mug, coaster, and piece of jewelry you buy helps us keep sharing our journey and adding new creations to the shop.
The Takeaway: It’s a Journey, Not a Destination
Sobriety is always a work in progress. Healing isn’t something you complete—it’s something you live. Whether you’re newly sober, sober-curious, or supporting someone on their journey, we hope this episode shows you that it’s okay to be a little messy along the way.
Thanks for joining us on this journey of unlearning, healing, and thriving. Subscribe to Life After Last Call, and let us know in the comments what you’d like us to cover in future episodes.
