Sober Snacks #10

Bite size tips & stories to help you not drink today. For the sober and sober curious looking for digestible, on-the-go sober-positive content. These are the stories and lifestyle tips of people who don’t drink. Enjoy :)

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Our Sober Reference today is Natalie.

Natalie has been married for almost 15 years and is a proud step-mom to three adult kids. She and her husband live in Atlanta, GA. Natalie works in pharmaceutical sales full-time. She is the co-founder of the growing community of Sassy Sober Living: motivation and inspiration for the sober and sober curious. She and her husband love to travel, cook on the big green egg, golf and watch college football.

When asked “what can I get you to drink?”, you say:

I always ask, “Is a non-alcoholic beer option or do you have a signature mocktail?”

Otherwise, I stick with, “Club soda or sparkling water…in a wine glass with a lime, please!”

I have been shocked at the options that are out there!!! My first sober vacation was in Key West and almost every bar had a NA beer option.

What is the book (or books) you’ve given most as a gift, and why? Or what are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

I listen to audiobooks because I drive so much for work. These books greatly influenced me early in my sobriety journey. I have three favorite books that I read in this order:

1. Quit Drinking Without Willpower by Allen Carr

2. We Are the Luckiest by Lauren McKowen

3. The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray

4. This Naked Mind by Annie Grace

Within your sobriety, what is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made? (Could be an investment of money, time, energy, etc.)

The best investment was putting my energy into resources. Researching and finding the resources that would work for me. Everyone’s journey is so different, I needed to explore and see what was available and if it clicked with me. I was blessed to have a sober mentor and that was huge for me!

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love and only discovered after you got into sobriety?

I have found that I love adult coloring books! I am hoping that I can explore art more. I am also becoming obsessed with a beautiful sunrise or sunset!

Which area has changed the most, and for the better, in sobriety: health, wealth, relationships, or spirituality?

I FEEL so much better. Definitely better sleep and skin! I have these sober sparkling eyes now that have been missing!! My husband says I am more fun sober — LOL!

When someone asks you, “why don’t you drink,” what do you say?

“I am just better without the alcohol.”

If they want or ask for more information I am open to chatting about it. Unfortunately, we have a “boozy” society and not drinking definitely gets noticed. The “mommy wine culture” is something that I fed into. But life is so much better without alcohol!