13. Spring Into Self-Care: Embracing New Routines and Letting Go of Old Habits
Amanda and Melissa share updates from their lives, including exciting personal milestones and the challenges of maintaining sobriety amidst significant life events.Hear about Melissa's spring self-care challenge, designed to refresh and reinforce positive habits as the season changes.They discuss the importance of adapting self-care practices to fit personal needs and the benefits of moving away from rigid habit tracking to a more forgiving and flexible approach.This episode will inspire you to :Reflect on your own daily habits.Embrace a flexible mindset towards tracking & setbacks Explore what you genuinely enjoy.Recognise discomfort & be mindful of self-sabotage.Identify and challenge negative self-talk . Trust in the process of personal growth. Love this episode? Subscribe to receive episodes direct to your inbox and join the conversation! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, we'd appreciate it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit weresobernowwhat.substack.com
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12. What to do when you just start feeling 'Meh' in Sobriety?
What to do when you just start feeling 'Meh' in Sobriety? What happens when the "pink cloud" parts? Amanda & Melissa explore the challenges when life's excitement diminishes and how to cope with the mundane aspects of sober livingThey offer practical advice from their own experience of keeping sobriety engaging and fulfilling over the long term. As well as the importance of emotional regulation and choosing healthier coping mechanisms over old destructive habits.We hope this episode will encourage you to reflect on your own sobriety journey and be inspired to keep it vibrant and fulfilling.Love this episode? Subscribe to receive episodes direct to your inbox and join the conversation! Leave a review and let us know: How do you keep your sobriety vibrant and fulfilling? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit weresobernowwhat.substack.com
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11. When ‘Better’ Is Never Enough
What happens when you replace drinking with a relentless pursuit of self-improvement? In this episode, Amanda and Melissa explore the never-ending cycle of striving to be “better” in sobriety—and why it can be just as exhausting as drinking itself.They unpack the pressure to constantly optimise, hustle, and perform, especially in a world saturated with self-help and personal growth culture. Amanda reflects on her own perfectionism, the “arrival fallacy” that kept her chasing external goals, and the realisation that self-worth isn’t something to earn—it’s something to recognise.From online validation traps to "digital & geographic cures", this episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever felt like they need to do more, be more, or achieve more just to feel okay.Tune in for real talk on learning to be enough—without the endless chase.Love this episode? Hit like & follow, subscribe to our SUBSTACK and join the conversation! Leave a review and let us know in the comments: Have you ever fallen into the self-improvement trap? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit weresobernowwhat.substack.com
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10. What We Wish People Understood About Our Sobriety
Amanda and Melissa respond to a listener request to talk about the misconceptions, challenges & sometimes the plain awkwardness of choosing a sober life.From navigating social situations to explaining their choice to others, they break down why sobriety is so much more than willpower or hitting “rock bottom.” If you've ever felt misunderstood in sobriety—or struggled with how to explain it—this episode will help you own your journey with confidence.Tune in for:The biggest misconceptions about sobrietyWhy willpower isn’t the solution—and what actually works.How media normalises drinking and why that matters.The emotional side of sobriety—self-discovery, shifting friendships, and setting boundaries.How to navigate social situations without feeling awkward.The best (and worst) ways to respond when someone shares they’re sober.Love this episode? Subscribe to our SUBSTACK and join the conversation! Leave a review and share your thoughts on this episode. Thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit weresobernowwhat.substack.com
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9. Criticism & Praise
What happens when your self-worth is tied to what other people think? In this episode, Amanda and Melissa unpack the downsides of criticism AND praise and the trap of thinking our work - whether it be personal or professional - only has value if it gets attention.It’s not uncommon that patterns of approval seeking still linger post-sobriety. The hosts share the ways the need for external validation shows up in their lives still today & distracts from real growth.Together, they break down these different manifestations of craving and how to own these important needs & the meeting of them as an inside job.If you’ve ever felt like your value depends on how others see you & are ready to shift from needing validation to trusting your own voice—this episode is for you. Love this episode? Subscribe to our SUBSTACK and join the conversation! Leave a review and share your thoughts on this episode. Thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit weresobernowwhat.substack.com
Quitting drinking is a monumental milestone—whether you’ve just had your last hangover or have been living alcohol-free for years. But what comes next? That’s exactly what we’re here to talk about.
We’re Amanda Grace and Melissa Kelly, Ph.D.—two women who’ve traded happy hours for genuine happiness and are here to help you navigate the ups, downs, and downright hilarious moments of sober life.
Whether you’re looking for real talk, relatable stories, or actionable advice, this podcast is for you. weresobernowwhat.substack.com
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