Where is my pink cloud?
To the woman still waiting for the sign that this was the right choice.
The Sober Glow Studio is a space for stories, recommendations, and resources on the art of living an alcohol-free lifestyle, navigating midlife health, and anything that simply feels good.
“I’ve been a gray area drinker for a long time and have had stops and starts but finally quit 3 months ago after I wrote and published an article on women and drinking. I know it’s the right decision but I have to say I don’t really see many changes and it’s felt disappointing. I haven’t had any pink cloud moments or noticed any other major changes really. I’m trying to stay unattached to any expectations but I feel like I’m sitting here twiddling my fingers wondering why I stopped sometimes. I am an medical practitioner currently living in Italy for the year. It’s been very contemplative. My wife quit drinking right after me. It’s all so complicated. I’m doing the work - reading, meditating, all of the things and am considering adding on sobriety coaching to my women’s hormonal business that I’m building. I understand it all cognitively, it’s just felt a bit depressing recently. Just feelin all the feels over here. I don’t necessarily want a pink cloud because that ultimately ends. I feel and confident about this decision for many reasons. I’m fortunate to have several coach friends and I’ve been able to go on a breathwork retreat and have lots of help in my journey. I just know the brain lies to us, which it’s currently doing to me, telling me that I didn’t really have a problem and why can’t I just go ahead and have that glass of rosé because the weather is so beautiful and I’m living in Italy, for God’s sake!! All of the justifications and lies.”
Dear one,
Over the years, I have received many questions and comments about gray area drinking (GAD), but this one struck a chord with me. I want to start by saying it can be tricky conversing about this topic when I don’t know you personally or your drinking history. This goes for any time I write at large or directly to someone.
However, I recognize your feelings.
(I ask that you or anyone else reading this take my words with a grain of salt and honor that this is my perspective/experience, and it may not fit yours)
Being a former GAD myself, I know all about the questioning and the back and forth with oneself and the wondering if my drinking wasn’t bad, will my life really get all that better? I drank like everyone else I knew – so why did I need to quit?