Would life be better without alcohol?
It's the nagging question more and more of us are finding harder to ignore, whether we have a "problem" with alcohol or not. After all, we yoga. We green juice. We meditate. We self-care. And yet, come the end of a long work day, the start of a weekend, an awkward social situation, we drink. One glass of wine turns into two turns into a bottle. In the face of how we care for ourselves otherwise, it's hard to avoid how alcohol really makes us feel¿ terrible.
How different would our lives be if we stopped drinking on autopilot? If we stopped drinking altogether? Really different, it turns out. Really better. Frank, funny, and always judgment free, Sober Curious is a bold guide to choosing to live hangover-free, from Ruby Warrington, one of the leading voices of the new sobriety movement.
Drawing on research, expert interviews, and personal narrative, Sober Curious is a radical take down of the myths that keep so many of us drinking. Inspiring, timely, and blame free, Sober Curious is both conversation starter and handbook-essential reading that empowers readers to transform their relationship with alcohol, so we can lead our most fulfilling lives.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1 (16)
1 The Nature of the Beast
17 (22)
Maybe We're All a Little Bit Addicted
How the Habit Takes Hold
No More Moderation or Pretending
Changing a Habit Is the Hardest
Turn Every "Relapse" into a Reminder
2 Conquering Foma (Fear of Missing Alcohol)
39 (22)
Get to Know What Triggers Your FOMA
How Am I Supposed to Socialize Sober?
Alcohol and the "Cult of Personality"
Life Is the Opposite of Boring Without Booze
3 Sober Curious Love, Sex, And Relationships
61 (22)
I'm Supposed to Date Sober, Too?
We All Know Sober Sex Is the Best Sex
The Role of Booze in a Hookup Culture
Getting Sober Curious Is About Learning to Love You
4 Spirits And Spirituality
83 (20)
The Link Between Spirits and Spirituality
The Real Genie in the Bottle
Who Am I (Without Alcohol)?
5 Wine in the Age of Wellness
103 (26)
Your Body Has Always Been Sober Curious
All You're Really Addicted to Is Your Thoughts, and Meditation Can Help with That
The Blissful Sleep Piece
#Wellness as a Call to Something Bigger
6 Core Desired Feelings
129 (22)
Happiness Is Our Natural State
It's Time to Stop Taking the Edge Off
The Future Is Emotionally Intelligent
Alcohol and the Confidence Paradox
7 Getting High on My Own Supply
151 (26)
Sing, Dance, Tell Stories, Savor the Sweetness of Silence
Highs Worth Having Are Worth Working For
When I Want to Relax
When I Want to Have Fun
When I Want to Connect
When I Want to Feel Pleasure
When I Want to Transcend
8 The Power of Positive Drinking?
177 (16)
Drinking, with Due Respect
A Good Night Is Allowed to Look Different for Everyone
9 Vision for a Hangover-Free Society
193 (24)
More Hopeful, More Mentally and Emotionally Resilient
It's Not Them, It's You
A Sober Curious Society That's Better for Everybody
Regaining (Collective) Consciousness One Sober First at a Time
10 An Alternative 12 Steps for Living Sober Curious
217 (4)
Acknowledgments 221 (2)
Resources 223 (2)
Notes 225