Love! This is also my word for 2024 - back in September I was listening to a podcast and heard this breakdown for NOURISH -
N - Notice nature
O - Observe breath
U - Unite with others
R - Replenish with good foods
I - initiate movement
S - Sit in stillness
H - Harness creativity
And I knew this was the word for me. I typed it out in my "notes app" just a few days after I also decided to try that AF life - cruised through the holidays and feeling happy with my decision to try something a little different.
I will be right there with you Emily! I had a sober October and most of November until Thanksgiving day. And just like you, I didn't want to be the "odd man out" during the holiday celebrations so I caved. Sometime it takes being the "odd man out" to do extraordinary things and to life the life that YOU want. That is how I will approach 2024. Best of luck to you. Cheers! (non-alcoholic of course!)
As an alcoholic, my experience with getting sober 7 years ago was a difficult and painful one. And not one I wanted to make but had to to stay alive and enjoy the life I was given. Not all of us can make the decision and just stop nor does it make our life better immediately. It was well worth it! I just wanted to offer my experience in case someone else out there relates.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Lindsay. I think it's a really important one. Transparently, I was nervous to hit publish on this post for this reason. I can only write from my own lived experience, but I personally know others who have had a much different experience with alcohol. Appreciate your encouragement and glad you're here!
💖 Thanks Emily. I’m glad I’m here too and always find so much encouragement from you and the other ladies! I want to be that encouragement for others as well. As well as shed light on a topic that I had no knowledge of before I was 34 and had to get sober! It’s great to normalize not drinking - so many times have I suggested “grabbing coffee” instead of “grabbing a drink”. I absolutely felt strange for awhile.
Thank you for sharing this! For me, 2024 will be more about ‘Social Distancing’. I have become too glued to all the social media that it is effecting my life in a negative way. In order for me to be more socially connected to my loved ones, I need to take a break from social media. So I have decided to distance myself from the useless junk on social that can claim all the precious time I have.
Just the other night, I unfollowed a slew of accounts on IG -- and it felt good! I saw someone say something about "controlling your influence" (meaning, who is influencing you) and I thought that was brilliant.
I was never a drinker in college, and as an adult, I never got into it. I’ve always been the “odd one out,” not drinking at social events etc etc. I usually order a club soda with cranberry juice or grapefruit juice, and honestly I sometimes get Shirley Temples. I am here to tell you that it’s absolutely not a big deal. No one really pays attention or cares if someone isn’t drinking, so if you think you’ll feel weird or odd man outish, don’t worry about it so much. I also have been witness to MANY people overindulging, and every time I am grateful I’m not participating. It seems like a very slippery slope. I think you’ll find that your overall sleep, alertness, and health will thrive without alcohol. Welcome to the club!!!
This is awesome, Emily! I am so proud of you and cheering you on 🙌🏻🙌🏻 I’m still looking for a word for the year but it may just be... ME. It’s MY year to focus on ME. It sounds very vain though so I’m sleeping on it...
I do currently drink. But not a lot. I may go months without and then sometimes I have 3-4 drinks in 1 month. I think it's mostly because I get tired of drinking sparkling water or plain water. I cut out soda and sweet tea years ago. I can't remember the last time time I got drunk but it was years ago. I tore it up in my 20s as most 20 somethings do but I'm finding at 52 and post-menopause that I don't react to alcohol well at all. First, I might as well drink on the toilet because even 1 drink makes me pee A LOT. Christmas Eve Eve I had 2 peach margaritas at a restaurant I love and haven't been to in 2 1/2 years. I went to the bathroom as I left. I couldn't even make it the 18 miles home as I thought my bladder would bust. That's ridiculous. Alcohol also make me really hot and my face really red. It's just not fun anymore.
I love this for you, Emily! I am going to focus on 2 things: moving my body more and making time for hobbies that have gotten pushed to the side for far too long (reading more and playing piano). I also always choose a verse for each year as my "resolution." This year it is Galatians 6:9: "Never tire of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up."
I love that you choose a guiding verse for the year. For the past several years I’ve chosen a theme word that represents something I want more of in my life. For two years in a row my word was joy. I love the idea of incorporating a verse so if you don’t mind me piggybacking off of your idea, I think I’ll do the same for 2024. Thank you for the inspiration and idea 💛
I'm with you Emily. My 23 year old young adult son was home for Christmas & shared how he decided to become sober. He hasn't had a drink since Thanksgiving. He's inspired me. My post today is about starting with Dry January and going forward. It is bothersome how women have become the target of alcohol advertising. It's time to break up with wine o'clock.
Oh wow. I've thought about this very thing -- wondering where my kids will land with it one day. I feel like my example might be helpful to them -- simply choosing what's best for me.
Love this for you, Emily! I cut out wine in November after my naturopath firmly requested I remove it from my diet to help me heal from autoimmune disease related ailments -- and sure enough I do feel better in so many ways. I’m cutting out ALL alcohol for January and imagine I may end up on a longer NA journey right along with you!
I've had some similar auto-immune stuff and received a similar suggestion from Amy Migdalia when I worked with her last year. I felt great cutting it out then!
I have similar autoimmune issues when I drink, even the tiniest amount. None of these things occurred with the consumption of alcohol until I reached age 40. Like you said, it's just not worth it. Mocktails all the way. :)
Welcome to the club!!! It seems like such a big decision, and a few months in, you’re going to wonder why you didn’t do it earlier. It is SO good for your wellbeing, especially if your body hates alcohol. The Dry January trends have resulted in so many excellent NA options!
I love this 2024 word. I cut alcohol out of my diet over 10 years ago and I haven’t regretted it. I totally relate to feeling like the odd man out. It’s almost as if I need to explain why I’m not drinking when everyone else is. Still, making the right choice for me and staying true to myself has been the bigger blessing.
I’ve narrowed down my Word for 2024 to 2-3, and I’ll make the final decision as I feel led to do so this week. I’ve chosen a specific word for the past five years and it has been incredibly meaningful to my growth and focus.
Congratulations, Emily. It’s such a powerful step to take, to realize what is no longer working. I took this step into sobriety about 5 years ago. The impact has ripple effects, and it’s incredible. It brought a lot of awareness and clarity into different arenas of my life.
I love this so much! I found that when I was pregnant, it was a relief to have an acceptable excuse to not drink. I discovered how easy it is order mocktails and how accessible other fun NA options can be. I haven’t looked back!
I think my word of the year is nourish.
Nourish my body with better foods, my mind with knowledge.
Nourish relationships that matter.
I just LOVE this word!
I absolutely love this! This exact sentiment has been on my own heart.
Love! This is also my word for 2024 - back in September I was listening to a podcast and heard this breakdown for NOURISH -
N - Notice nature
O - Observe breath
U - Unite with others
R - Replenish with good foods
I - initiate movement
S - Sit in stillness
H - Harness creativity
And I knew this was the word for me. I typed it out in my "notes app" just a few days after I also decided to try that AF life - cruised through the holidays and feeling happy with my decision to try something a little different.
This is incredible! I had no idea but thank you so much for sharing with me! 💕💕
💛
I love this one!
Nourish is a lovely word!
I will be right there with you Emily! I had a sober October and most of November until Thanksgiving day. And just like you, I didn't want to be the "odd man out" during the holiday celebrations so I caved. Sometime it takes being the "odd man out" to do extraordinary things and to life the life that YOU want. That is how I will approach 2024. Best of luck to you. Cheers! (non-alcoholic of course!)
Cheers, Cindy!! I love the word "extraordinary." That's truly what it is to step outside the box.
As an alcoholic, my experience with getting sober 7 years ago was a difficult and painful one. And not one I wanted to make but had to to stay alive and enjoy the life I was given. Not all of us can make the decision and just stop nor does it make our life better immediately. It was well worth it! I just wanted to offer my experience in case someone else out there relates.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Lindsay. I think it's a really important one. Transparently, I was nervous to hit publish on this post for this reason. I can only write from my own lived experience, but I personally know others who have had a much different experience with alcohol. Appreciate your encouragement and glad you're here!
💖 Thanks Emily. I’m glad I’m here too and always find so much encouragement from you and the other ladies! I want to be that encouragement for others as well. As well as shed light on a topic that I had no knowledge of before I was 34 and had to get sober! It’s great to normalize not drinking - so many times have I suggested “grabbing coffee” instead of “grabbing a drink”. I absolutely felt strange for awhile.
Thank you for sharing this! For me, 2024 will be more about ‘Social Distancing’. I have become too glued to all the social media that it is effecting my life in a negative way. In order for me to be more socially connected to my loved ones, I need to take a break from social media. So I have decided to distance myself from the useless junk on social that can claim all the precious time I have.
Just the other night, I unfollowed a slew of accounts on IG -- and it felt good! I saw someone say something about "controlling your influence" (meaning, who is influencing you) and I thought that was brilliant.
I was never a drinker in college, and as an adult, I never got into it. I’ve always been the “odd one out,” not drinking at social events etc etc. I usually order a club soda with cranberry juice or grapefruit juice, and honestly I sometimes get Shirley Temples. I am here to tell you that it’s absolutely not a big deal. No one really pays attention or cares if someone isn’t drinking, so if you think you’ll feel weird or odd man outish, don’t worry about it so much. I also have been witness to MANY people overindulging, and every time I am grateful I’m not participating. It seems like a very slippery slope. I think you’ll find that your overall sleep, alertness, and health will thrive without alcohol. Welcome to the club!!!
So glad to join the club!!! Last summer by the pool I would drink club soda and grapefruit -- my version of a ranch water! :) My fave!
Same. I always joked with my husband that I was able to feel miserable all on my own--I didn’t need help. 🤪
This is awesome, Emily! I am so proud of you and cheering you on 🙌🏻🙌🏻 I’m still looking for a word for the year but it may just be... ME. It’s MY year to focus on ME. It sounds very vain though so I’m sleeping on it...
I do currently drink. But not a lot. I may go months without and then sometimes I have 3-4 drinks in 1 month. I think it's mostly because I get tired of drinking sparkling water or plain water. I cut out soda and sweet tea years ago. I can't remember the last time time I got drunk but it was years ago. I tore it up in my 20s as most 20 somethings do but I'm finding at 52 and post-menopause that I don't react to alcohol well at all. First, I might as well drink on the toilet because even 1 drink makes me pee A LOT. Christmas Eve Eve I had 2 peach margaritas at a restaurant I love and haven't been to in 2 1/2 years. I went to the bathroom as I left. I couldn't even make it the 18 miles home as I thought my bladder would bust. That's ridiculous. Alcohol also make me really hot and my face really red. It's just not fun anymore.
I love this for you, Emily! I am going to focus on 2 things: moving my body more and making time for hobbies that have gotten pushed to the side for far too long (reading more and playing piano). I also always choose a verse for each year as my "resolution." This year it is Galatians 6:9: "Never tire of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up."
Love this!! What a perfect verse for this season.
I love that you choose a guiding verse for the year. For the past several years I’ve chosen a theme word that represents something I want more of in my life. For two years in a row my word was joy. I love the idea of incorporating a verse so if you don’t mind me piggybacking off of your idea, I think I’ll do the same for 2024. Thank you for the inspiration and idea 💛
I'm with you Emily. My 23 year old young adult son was home for Christmas & shared how he decided to become sober. He hasn't had a drink since Thanksgiving. He's inspired me. My post today is about starting with Dry January and going forward. It is bothersome how women have become the target of alcohol advertising. It's time to break up with wine o'clock.
Oh wow. I've thought about this very thing -- wondering where my kids will land with it one day. I feel like my example might be helpful to them -- simply choosing what's best for me.
Love this for you, Emily! I cut out wine in November after my naturopath firmly requested I remove it from my diet to help me heal from autoimmune disease related ailments -- and sure enough I do feel better in so many ways. I’m cutting out ALL alcohol for January and imagine I may end up on a longer NA journey right along with you!
I've had some similar auto-immune stuff and received a similar suggestion from Amy Migdalia when I worked with her last year. I felt great cutting it out then!
I have similar autoimmune issues when I drink, even the tiniest amount. None of these things occurred with the consumption of alcohol until I reached age 40. Like you said, it's just not worth it. Mocktails all the way. :)
Welcome to the club!!! It seems like such a big decision, and a few months in, you’re going to wonder why you didn’t do it earlier. It is SO good for your wellbeing, especially if your body hates alcohol. The Dry January trends have resulted in so many excellent NA options!
I love this 2024 word. I cut alcohol out of my diet over 10 years ago and I haven’t regretted it. I totally relate to feeling like the odd man out. It’s almost as if I need to explain why I’m not drinking when everyone else is. Still, making the right choice for me and staying true to myself has been the bigger blessing.
I’ve narrowed down my Word for 2024 to 2-3, and I’ll make the final decision as I feel led to do so this week. I’ve chosen a specific word for the past five years and it has been incredibly meaningful to my growth and focus.
Thanks for the encouragement Lisa!
Could not love this more and I’m so happy you are sharing this, it has been on my mind so heavily this season. This is the push I needed 💗
Hugs Ann!
Balance is my 2024 word. Looking forward to hearing of your progress, Emily. Thank you for sharing.
Congratulations, Emily. It’s such a powerful step to take, to realize what is no longer working. I took this step into sobriety about 5 years ago. The impact has ripple effects, and it’s incredible. It brought a lot of awareness and clarity into different arenas of my life.
Cheering you on! 💕💕
That's amazing Jessica! Thank you!!
I love this so much! I found that when I was pregnant, it was a relief to have an acceptable excuse to not drink. I discovered how easy it is order mocktails and how accessible other fun NA options can be. I haven’t looked back!
Love this!