July - and all because I removed the alcohol

Welcome to July and your monthly nudge of positive energy, a communication designed to help you stop and think about what you want to focus on this month, what you need to do to gain that positive energy flow.

Try something new, let go of something that doesn't serve you! Don't hold back! With positive energy the world opens up, our minds feel lighter, our bodies have more to give, we become more open to new possibilities.

Check out the alcohol free boost in the second part of the newsletter!

4 years alcohol free!

I woke up with a feeling that something wasn't quite right. That feeling turned into an action and four years on I reflect on the most amazing life transformation. Going alcohol free has been the biggest positive energy nudge I have experienced in my life. It is impossible to sum up in a few words. The joy I personally experienced feels like the world's best kept secret which is why my mission is to shout it from the roof tops for anyone that is remotely curious. It is a positive change that should be encouraged. If you want to hear more about my sobering thoughts over the past 4 years than please read about me Blogging on the subject.

I like to mark my soberversary every year in some way. This year I connected with friends old and new. That has been one of my biggest gains - solidifying those old connections and making new ones - all because I have so much more time!

A new voluntary position

I was thrilled to start my new voluntary position at Open Road drug and alcohol support in Essex this month. It has been a few months in the making but following all the checks and training I am now a volunteer member of this fantastic team.

I have always volunteered in some capacity when my children were small. But when I stopped drinking the volunteer bug was unleashed. I found myself seeking out support roles that aligned with my new passion and values, values which had become clear to me through the clarity from not drinking. Added to that, I have so much more time now to take on new volunteer roles! The children's society was the first charity I supported and continue to do so and now I have joined Open road as was seeking something face to face where I could use my coaching qualification and developing counselling qualification. Volunteering brings a different kind of energy to your soul. It brings a different dimension to your life - something you might not get from your paid work. It can feel a little daunting putting yourself forward but I would highly recommend it. Just have a google about something that interests you. Volunteer numbers are down across the sector. Charities are often so genuinely grateful they will try to accommodate whatever time you can give.

Just listen.......

Listening has become my new favourite past time. Through my role as a coach and now further in my counselling training as I come to the end of level 2 of my course, my listening skills have been honed to another level. I am so aware when others don't listen now that it just reinforces me wanting to be the person that does. How wonderful to be able to just listen to someone. I read recently that a person's grief can make people feel really uncomfortable because as humans we like to fix the problem and of course in grief there is no obvious fix so we don't know where else to go. Most often a person will always appreciate being listened too. They don't need to be fixed. And being listened to can be so energising for both parties.

A winning performance.....

The children at my daughter's school put on a wonderful end of year performance. There were solo dances, friend collaborations and an incredible solo scene from Hamlet from one of Tilly's friends. Tilly finds these things so unbelievably stressful and had been building up to this for weeks. She remained behind the scenes helping with props and came on at the end for the final group song. The smiles and giggles from her were a joy to behold. It reminded me yet again everyone has something to offer and our children move at their pace. There might have been a time when I had wished she would have the confidence to take more of a role but instead we celebrate what she feels comfortable doing. She was so proud of herself for getting up on that stage. The energy we can give our children by celebrating what they can achieve is so empowering. Tilly has definitely taught me this.

SO WHAT WILL BE YOUR FOCUS FOR JULY? The key four

As always, it's repetitive but I think it's important and if you agree let's go!!! Here are mine.

1. Non negotiables - meditate (for this month anyway), running
2. Eliminations: worrying (hence the need to meditate)
3. New focus for the month speech content for my portfolio of speeches
4. Key words - how do you want to feel What word will be your focus? My word is confidence. This can most definitely sometimes fail me.

Recent wins: as always I ask you to take a quick moment to reflect on a few recent wins in the previous month however small. Focusing on the positive switches the lens through which you view life.

So let's get going into JULY. If you would like a copy of this template just click here

The fear of socialising without alcohol is one of the big barriers to taking a break. It might feel uncomfortable at first simply because you are used to having this alcohol armour around you. The chemical effect of alcohol is to slow everything down so you feel relaxed. However once you learn that you don't need this effect, that the event is still the same, the people, the atmosphere, removing the alcohol is much easier than you think. Don't expect to feel 100% immediately. Your mind has had years of socialising with alcohol. But don't fear it either. I love the control that I have, I love that I have much more meaningful connections with people as I am fully present and I love that I can enjoy and remember every minute.

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH?

As always I would love to hear from you if you are interested in the alcohol free space or positive energy coaching, either for individual or organisation. I offer a free 15 minute clarity call to talk through the best way I can support you. Or take a look at the options below:

• For my online course click here. It combines self paced with face to face check ins
• For 1:1 coaching click here

Or send me an email:

[email protected]

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