Sober October (erin jean warde)
I'd like to offer an expansive understanding of Sober October, which includes just becoming mindful about alcohol use this month.
Sober October
There is nothing I love quite like autumn. I adore the fall. I’m so obsessed with the season that — after posting about it too much on social media — I am now relentlessly tagged in all things ~autumnal~ (and I love it). This week I put on burgundy press-on nails and this morning I woke up early enough to sit outside and drink coffee in a SWEATSHIRT (a very big deal here in Texas).
Autumn is synonymous with pumpkin spice everything and a Pavlovian desire to go to Trader Joe’s, but the deeper meaning of fall is, of course, change. Today, you might have noticed we are deviating from the newsletter norm of a quote and reflection, because October is right around the corner. The beginning of this new month and season might mean you are curious about change, but not just general change — it’s possible you’ve been thinking about changing your relationship with alcohol.
Somewhere along the way, a cultural trend started called Sober October. If you’re not familiar, it’s become a thing for people to take October off from drinking alcohol, as a way to refresh and reflect. However, my work focuses on not just quitting drinking, but on the broader work of bringing discernment into relationships with alcohol, such that anyone can change how they drink.
If you feel the gentle tug toward changing your drinking, or a curiosity about Sober October, taking a whole month off from drinking might feel impossible (there were many Octobers in my pre-sober life when the idea of not drinking for a whole month felt impossible). So, I’d like to offer an expansive understanding of Sober October, which includes just becoming mindful about alcohol use this month. What if, for this month, you just kept a finger on the pulse of your drinking? Even something like just keeping a log of when and how much you drink is a radical shift into being aware of your drinking.
If you’re wanting to dig into mindfulness around alcohol this October, or if you have already decided to take the month off from drinking completely, here are some ways my work can offer support:
Recovery Coaching — I love working with clients 1:1 to help change their relationship with alcohol. Coaching provides tools and opportunities for reflecting on the role alcohol plays in your life. Goal setting helps you stay on track. You don’t have to be seeking sobriety to benefit from recovery coaching. Please see the note below about rates changing in mid-October.
Discerning Sobriety Course — The Discerning Sobriety course gives you the tools you need to reflect on the role of alcohol in your life, through gathering the wisdom of your mind, body, and soul. Through spiritual listening (discernment!) you'll change your relationship with alcohol and/or empower your recovery. You'll receive one e-mail a day for 40 days to support you on your path of mindfulness. Again, there is no requirement that you desire sobriety in order to get the most out of the course.
NEW additional *free* weekly post — Starting in October (next week!) I’ll be offering another free weekly post for everyone in the Gather the Inklings community, which will share practical wisdom around changing how we cope, recovery, etc. Check in with these posts for free support!
EJW’s Mocktail Favorites — Consider introducing some new fun non-alcoholic beverages to your life, which can help with drinking less, or taking a break from alcohol. My blog is a free resource offering lots of ideas!
This October, regardless of whether or not you decide to pay attention to your drinking, I hope you are able to find some joyful ways to connect with your mind, body, and soul.
Leave a comment if you have any thoughts or fun ideas for the month of October, whether they are ideas for a Sober October or delightful ways to celebrate my favorite season. :)
With love & care,
EJW
join book club
Join us in the paid community as we read How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy!* I’m enjoying this book so much — we will be reflecting on everything from rest, what occupies our attention, social media, insights from recovery, and more. Book club reflections are weekly for paid subscribers. If you’re interested, subscribe for $7/month, pay annually, or become a founding member. <3
We will spend 8 weeks with this book, covering a chapter per week, including the introduction & conclusion. This week we are reading Chapter 3: Anatomy of a Refusal.
new weekly *free* post
As I mentioned above, starting in October — yay, so soon! — I’m offering a new post each week for all subscribers. This post will provide practical insight into recovery, sobriety, changing how we cope, connecting with our minds, bodies, and souls, and more. It could be any of the following: quote, podcast rec, coaching technique, or something else completely. This is a form of free support for you, dear friends! And these posts will continue past October. :) I hope this gives you even more care. <3
take the Discerning Sobriety course
My course — Discerning Sobriety — guides you as you reflect on the role of alcohol in your life, through 20 lessons and 20 spiritual practices. Discerning Sobriety is for the sober curious, anyone who wants to bring mindfulness into their relationship with alcohol, and people in recovery. You will receive one email every day for 40 days, leading you through a spiritual listening (discernment!) process, as you connect with mind, body, and soul. Sign up to take the course now!
recovery coaching — rates changing 10/17
Friends, If you’re looking for 1:1 recovery support, I’m available to welcome new coaching clients! Learn more about my practice and sign up today. I would love to work with you!
Please Note — My rates for Recovery Coaching will be changing as of Monday, October 17 to $520 for the four week 1 hour package and $260 for the four week 30 minute package.
If you’d like to do Recovery Coaching with me at the current rate of $400 for the four week 1 hour package and $200 for the four week 30 minute package, purchase your package by Sunday, October 16! If you can’t schedule calls until after 10/17 that is fine, but get the package by the 16th to pay the lower rate.
On Monday, October 17 I will also offer 3 months of four week 1 hour recovery coaching for $1460 paid in full up front and 3 months of four week 30 minute recovery coaching for $730 paid in full up front, which will be a way to save by making a long term commitment to the process.
Questions? Just respond to this e-mail or contact me here!
leave me a tip
If you’d like to support my work through a donation, you can now leave me a tip. <3
Your support — whether it’s through praying for me, sharing my work, coaching with me, joining the paid community, taking the course, pre-ordering my book, following me on social media, or offering a donation — means the world to me. Thank you for your love!
pre-order my book
get my book—SOBER SPIRITUALITY—today!* 🤩