Breaking Free from Alcohol's Social Norms

Imagine visualizing your personal energy reserves as a colorful pot of Skittles. Intrigued? With Justine and Belinda by our side, we uncover this unique analogy to help you manage your mental, emotional, and physical activities. Throughout our conversation, we bring to light the importance of awareness and intentionality in preserving energy for life's most meaningful moments. The journey doesn’t stop there; we dig into the complex layers of how alcohol affects family dynamics, sharing our own vulnerable stories to inspire open dialogue and understanding.

Growing up with an alcoholic parent comes with its own set of challenges, often marked by a lingering sense of uncertainty and fear. Reflecting on childhood experiences, we share how these memories shaped our parenting journeys and led us to make significant life changes. It’s an intimate look at the pivotal moments that motivated us to quit drinking, seeking to provide a stable environment for our children. Alongside Justine and Belinda, we explore the societal norms that glamorize alcohol, questioning whether our habits truly serve us or simply perpetuate a cycle of disengagement.

We close by celebrating the liberation and clarity that come from self-reflection and intentional living. We challenge the pervasive influence of alcohol in social settings and unpack the pressures to conform. This episode is a heartfelt call to evaluate the choices that define our lives, encouraging a shift toward healthier habits that uplift our families and ourselves. Through shared experiences and introspective practices, we invite you to reconsider the role of alcohol and embrace a path of personal growth and emotional intelligence.

This podcast dives deep into real, raw topics—think vulnerability, triggers, and childhood trauma. But just so we're super clear: I’m not a licensed therapist, mental health professional, or anything close. I’m just a human sharing stories, lessons, and life hacks based on personal experience and a whole lot of curiosity.

So, while you might find some golden nuggets here, this is not therapy and should never replace professional mental health care. If you or someone you love is going through it, please—seriously—reach out to a licensed therapist or healthcare provider. You deserve the real deal.

Need Help Now?
Here are a few amazing resources:

· 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988
· NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or nami.org/help
· Therapy Directory: psychologytoday.com
· Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

The opinions expressed on this show are ours and ours alone—no official organizations are responsible for what we say (or how much we overshare).