Welcome to my updated webpage!
A quick disclaimer before we begin: this space is simply for me to share my personal journey with alcohol and my life experiences. I’m not a professional and I can’t give advice about anyone else’s circumstances — only my own lived perspective. If you’re seeking help or guidance about reducing or quitting alcohol, please reach out to trained experts or medical professionals or support groups.
About Me
My name is Sara. I’m 45, currently perimenopausal, going through a divorce after a 28-year relationship, a working mum of two teenage daughters, dog-mum to two furry babies, and a carer to my elderly mother who has dementia. To say life is chaotic would be an understatement!
Yet, in the middle of all this, one thing has continued to help me:
I no longer drink alcohol.
In the past, alcohol was my crutch — my go-to medicine for stress, sadness, anxiety, or just to relax. It was my way to switch off, to feel lighter, to “have fun.” And yes, I had plenty of fun times. But alcohol also carried consequences I didn’t want to acknowledge for a long time.
How Alcohol Was Showing Up in My Life
We often treat alcohol as completely normal, even essential. Growing up in the UK, drinking was woven into every part of life — celebrations, commiserations, weekends, even the weather. Hot? Have a drink. Raining? Head to the pub. Friday? Drink. Monday stress? Drink.
And I was no exception.
There’s no shame in me saying this now: I had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
I wasn’t someone who sipped a small glass of wine. If the bottle was open, it was gone. And after that, I’d happily move on to cans of cider (with a straw for added fun) or cocktails strong enough to knock out a horse. Somehow, this felt normal.
Society romanticises drinking — clinking glasses, glamorous characters in films, the idea that non-drinkers are boring. I believed it too. But now, I see it differently. I finally understand the term “Sober Curious” — and I realise I’ve been walking that path for years without knowing what to call it.
The Night Everything Changed
We all have dates we never forget. For me, that date is 23/09/2022 — the last time I drank alcohol.
What should’ve been a fun weekend away for a friend’s birthday turned into something I’m not proud of. I ended the night violently sick, struggling to move, half-dressed, and barely coherent while my poor friends took care of me. Crawling into bed at 6pm after arriving at noon… it wasn’t a good look.
The shame the next day was immense.
For the first time I truly thought, I can’t put myself — or anyone else — through this again.
That was the moment my Sober Curious journey began, even though I didn’t know the term at the time.
The First Steps
I told myself I’d take a short break from alcohol, just to recover physically and mentally. Those first few weekends, I simply couldn’t drink — my body was saying a firm “no.” I became the designated driver and drank soft drinks. People questioned it because I had always been “party Sara.” Without alcohol, I was just… me.
But something surprising happened —
I still had fun.
I was the first one on the dance floor, sometimes the last to leave. I had energy. I could drive home. And I woke up hangover-free. Pure bliss.
So I set myself a goal: 100 days alcohol-free.
It wasn’t easy. There were cravings — mostly psychological — but I pushed through. When I hit 100 days, something in my body and mind shifted. I felt better. My skin improved. My mind was clearer. So I set a new goal: 365 days.
During that year I went on nights out, concerts, and even a 30th birthday trip to Dublin — all alcohol-free. To avoid FOMO, I experimented with non-alcoholic drinks. And honestly? With the right glass, the experience felt just as special.
A Year Sober — and Beyond
When I hit my one-year anniversary, I celebrated with a mocktail night. By then, it was obvious: I would never drink again.
I had tasted life without alcohol, and it was better in every way.
More energy
More money
More clarity
More presence with my children
No Sunday morning guilt or grumpiness
And eventually, more confidence and self-respect
My sobriety also led me to join a gym, lose weight, and start HRT, which improved my emotional wellbeing even more.
Giving up alcohol forces you to face life with full honesty. It brings every emotion to the surface — ones I used to numb instead of process. But working through them has given me a clarity I never knew I needed.
And it’s true what they say:
No one ever regrets becoming alcohol-free — only that they didn’t do it sooner.
Rewiring My Brain
One of the things I missed most early on was that “ahhhhh” moment — the first sip after a stressful day. But after alcohol was fully out of my system, I realised something profound:
That feeling wasn’t alcohol. It was my brain.
And it can be recreated with anything — even tonic water with ice and lemon. Now, that same sense of relief comes from non-alcoholic drinks because my brain has learned new patterns.
Why I Love the Term “Sober Curious”
Labels can feel restrictive. Saying “never again” often makes us want something more. The idea of being Sober Curious is gentler and more empowering. Whether you want to cut back, stop temporarily, or stop completely, it’s about exploring a different way of living — free from shame or pressure.
For me, total abstinence works because I’m an “all or nothing” person. But Sober Curious fits anyone who wants to rethink their relationship with alcohol.
Three Years Later… and a Big Dream
Three years on, I’m still sober and happier than ever. I’ve had countless alcohol-free nights full of joy, dancing, laughter, and early mornings walking the dogs or going to the gym. I notice the beauty of life more. I’m more present for my kids. And society is slowly shifting too — younger generations drink less, and non-alcoholic options are everywhere.
This shift inspired me to buy the domain sobercurious.co.uk – where you are visiting today.
My dream to then create a non-alcoholic drink actually called ‘Sober Curious.’
I even trademarked the name in the non-alcoholic drinks category. Life got in the way, progress stalled, and unfortunately that trademark has been challenged — something I’m now fighting.
But I still believe in the idea.
I believe it fills a gap.
And I believe someone out there might help make it real. Therefore if you are reading this and you are someone who also believes in my idea and could help me achieve it, please please get in touch – info@sobercurious.co.uk – perhaps you are a keen entrepreneur, a drinks manufacturer or just someone in the non-alcoholic drinks industry who could help my dream and idea become reality!
To achieve, you have to believe. And I believe in Sober Curious.
Thank you for reading my story and for being here. Whether you’re on your own Sober Curious journey, supporting someone else, or simply exploring a new perspective, I hope this has helped in some way.
Anything is achievable — sobriety taught me that.
— Sara