Send us a textWelcome back to Embrace Midlife! In this candid solo episode, I’m opening up about a chapter of my life that many of you have asked me to expand on — my drinking career. If you’ve listened to the very first episodes of the podcast, you’ve heard the beginnings of my story. But today, I go deeper — sharing the real, raw timeline of how drinking wove its way into my life, from my 20s through midlife, motherhood, business, breast cancer, and beyond.I reflect on how I didn’t drink much as a teen, how my drinking habits evolved during my marriage to a professional sportsman, and the way loneliness, postnatal depression, and life transitions led to more frequent and excessive drinking in my 30s and 40s.I also talk about the rise of mummy wine culture, my battles with mental health (including postnatal depression and hospitalization), the breast cancer diagnosis that changed everything, and how I used alcohol to numb, cope, and escape. I reveal the moments that became turning points — the scary symptoms, the heartfelt text to my family, the visit to my long-time GP — and how those steps eventually led me toward sobriety and sober curiosity.This episode is Part 1 of a two-part series that leads into next season’s focus: The Sober Curious Season.If you're a woman in midlife navigating your own relationship with alcohol, this episode may feel like looking in a mirror. You're not alone, and this space is here for you.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:My early drinking habits (or lack thereof) and how they evolvedCoping with loneliness, divorce, and motherhood through alcoholMy journey with postnatal depression and psychiatric hospitalizationBreast cancer diagnosis and alcohol use during treatmentThe reality of mummy wine culture and its influencePhysical signs my body couldn’t keep up with my drinkingThe moment I reached out for support and chose changeWhy admitting I had a problem was the most freeing decision of allThe connection between alcohol and breast cancer that’s not talked about enoughHow my sober curiosity journey truly beganResources Mentioned:The Sober Diaries by Clare PooleyIf this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to leave a review and share it with a friend. You never know who might need to hear it.

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