Seeking comfort is a human need and one of the most popular reasons why people drink. We’re not happy with our current situation so drink to make it better - whether to improve our current experience or to push away or numb discomfort. In this episode, I reframe what it means to experience discomfort and why this is actually a very good thing. I show how to use discomfort as a means to get what you want and how this works over the long-term. If you are someone who judges yourself for the way you...
Mar 21, 2023•24 min
What I would tell my past self is a tool I use in all areas of my life. It’s instrumental in how I make decisions for my present and future lives. So many people tell me they want to change their relationship with alcohol, but then think back to all the broken promises, all the times they overdrank, all the guilt, shame, embarrassment … and they feel stuck. Which drives them right back into the cycle of behaviour they want to change. If you’re stuck in a cycle of wanting to change your drinking,...
Mar 14, 2023•22 min
What other people might think about your drinking can feel like a minefield. It’s one of the things that keeps people stuck in the habit cycle. We want to change our relationship with alcohol, but then hesitate. We worry about what others might think of us, how they might react to us, what they might say, what this might mean for our relationship with them. … Today I explain why we do this (even when we really don’t want to), why it’s unnecessary and how to approach other people’s thoughts in a ...
Mar 07, 2023•24 min
Freedom from decisions in advance is a concept that people usually nod their heads and agree with - until it comes to deciding their drinks in advance. “But I want to be free to decide in the moment… I want to be spontaneous,” is something I hear a lot. On today’s episode I offer an alternative viewpoint. I talk about what freedom around alcohol really means and how brain science shows the best way to achieve this for ourselves. And I get you thinking about your overall life in terms of freedom ...
Feb 28, 2023•22 min
The importance of belief in changing your relationship with alcohol cannot be underestimated. Belief in your ability to change, belief in your ability to see a new future for yourself, belief in your commitment, belief in your ability to plan, belief in your staying power, belief in a life free from the pull of alcohol. All of it begins and ends with belief. In today’s podcast I explain why belief is so critical, how it influences every action you take and why it can help you to just keep going....
Feb 21, 2023•18 min
On today’s podcast I explain what motivation is and where it comes from - and, no, it’s not what you think. I’ll show how this one piece of insight alone can change the trajectory of your life and what’s possible. This is one of those episodes that will open your eyes and change your outlook as to what’s possible. Learning how to deploy and stay motivated is 100% a core skill for leading a full and fulfilled life. For once you learn how to harness motivation to change your drinking you will see ...
Feb 14, 2023•25 min
On today’s podcast I explain why rituals are so important to us, how to understand the role you want alcohol to play (if at all) this year, how to tackle any fear of missing out, understand who’s responsible for your partner’s experience and how you can take an active role in creating the Valentine’s Day that’s right for you. Also, on Friday 10 February I will be hosting a free webinar on this topic. If you want access to the webinar, sign up to join my email list here . I can help you moderate ...
Feb 07, 2023•22 min
You only live once. Go on, do it. Have the drink. What are you waiting for? How many times have you been told that? By friends, partners, colleagues, even total strangers. And also how many times have you told that to yourself? Yes, we've all been there. These are the words we often use to encourage us into taking action, into going for it, into drinking when perhaps we don't really want to. Because we don't want to feel left out, we don't want to be deprived or feel like we're we're missing the...
Jan 31, 2023•17 min
Today I explain why we naturally doubt ourselves (even when things are going well), how this tends to show up, and four tools you can use to change your perspective so you don’t let doubt get in the way. Today’s episode will impact all areas of your life, not just your drinking. And if you want to start making change immediately, let’s talk. I can help you moderate or give up drinking for good. You know what you want for your life. I know how to help you get it. Book a free call with me ...
Jan 27, 2023•16 min
Today we’re talking dead end questions, what they are how to spot yours and why they don’t serve you. I also share simple steps you can take today to figure out if you’re relying on dead end questions and to see how they are influencing your results. I also give you some simple, short homework to help you get unstuck and out of dead end questioning mode. So if you are somebody who feels like they’ve been trying to get on top of their drinking for years and absolutely nothing is helping, this epi...
Jan 17, 2023•11 min
I just can’t moderate is something I hear all the time. Part cry for help/part excuse it is a frequent fallback position when things go badly. When people talk about moderation it’s usually a number. It’s two drinks or four drinks or whatever. “If I drink that amount then I’m moderating.” But on today’s episode I explain why moderation is about more than just a number. Why it isn’t about fixating on the counting, whatever your drink plan says. And what to focus on instead. If you want to be DONE...
Jan 10, 2023•13 min
‘New Year, New You’ There’s something about a brand new year for setting goals and aiming for new challenges. But you’ve been here before, right? And still nothing’s changed. You’re in the same life and you still drink too much. No matter how tough you are on yourself or how much willpower you throw at the problem, you still buckle and give in a few days or possibly weeks down the line. That stops today. In today’s episode I show what’s holding you back, what’s keeping you stuck and why you have...
Jan 03, 2023•20 min
Dryuary (or Dry January) has become something of an annual tradition to many. I have nothing against abstaining for a month - in fact it can teach you a lot about your relationship with alcohol if you’re open to the lessons - and if you just want to do the 31 days then carry on as before, that’s totally your choice. But if you want more, if you want this to be a step on the ladder towards permanent change then I want to help you do that. In today’s episode I offer why your thoughts about alcohol...
Dec 28, 2022•19 min
Just pause. Consider for a moment the power and simplicity in these two words. What does pausing offer? An opportunity to take a breath. To consider your options. To interrupt automatic behaviour. To decide what’s in your best interests. To regroup. To re-decide. At this time of year, with Christmas and New Year around the corner, life can feel rather frantic. So much to do, so many people to see, so many parties to attend. No wonder it can feel anything but peaceful and instead one long frantic...
Dec 20, 2022•24 min
I’m afraid of slipping into old habits … if that’s how you feel, don’t worry. On today’s podcast I talk about why this fear surfaces, how it shows up and walk through seven simple ways to stop feeling stuck and keep moving forward. I work with people all day every day who want to change their relationship with alcohol. I normalise not drinking or choosing to drink less. I normalise choosing water instead of wine. I normalise celebrating with water not champagne. I normalise not feeling the need ...
Dec 13, 2022•28 min
Intention, courage and commitment form the three pillars of my coaching framework. Each of these elements is positive in its own right, but stitched together they become incredibly powerful. In today’s episode I explain how I use intention, courage and commitment in my work and how you can also deploy them as you transform your relationship with alcohol. BUT if you want results FAST, working with a coach is the way to go; I show you where your blind spots are and what you need to know (which may...
Dec 06, 2022•29 min
When your friends don’t understand why you want to change your relationship with alcohol it can feel challenging. I see this so often. You know it’s time to make a change, but you’re afraid the people closest to you won’t get it. That they won’t understand. That they will say things like: “Oh, come on, you’re fine. You don’t need to do this. You’re making a fuss unnecessarily. Everybody drinks a bit too much. You don’t drink any more than me.” Which can lead you twisting and turning, doubting yo...
Nov 29, 2022•24 min
We are just around the corner from the big end of year party season - from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year, to office parties and drinks with friends and family gatherings. If you’re frustrated with your drinking this can look like a challenging landscape. You may even look ahead and dread the party season. How on earth are you going to get through all those temptations? No wonder so many people think you’ll wait (again!) to change your drinking until next year because it’s all too difficu...
Nov 22, 2022•31 min
“I hate missing out.” This is something I used to say on repeat. In today’s episode I show how this fear of missing out does not have to act as a stop sign. I talk about how we can use it to question the type of person we want to be and how we are choosing to show up in the world. With Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year on the horizon, you don’t want to miss out on this episode (see what I did there 😁). I can help you moderate or give up drinking for good. You know what you want for your life...
Nov 15, 2022•25 min
When cravings feel so hard it can be confusing to see what’s going on. No wonder one of the top things people want is to rid themselves of their cravings. After all they’re uncomfortable. But understanding and managing your cravings is a key component to reclaiming your life and changing your relationship with alcohol so listen up and do the homework that I include. And if you want to take advantage of some special Black Friday offers coming, you need to get on my email list. Sign up at 90daysla...
Nov 08, 2022•20 min
If you’ve been overdrinking and using alcohol to deliver pleasure and fun, you may feel a bit bewildered at the prospect of alcohol-free pleasure (or even pleasure in a life with minimal alcohol). How is that even possible? Being responsible for creating your own pleasure is a meta skill that will positively impact all areas of your life, whatever your circumstances. No wonder it’s a topic I cover in detail with my clients as they start to change their relationship with alcohol. If you have diff...
Nov 01, 2022•29 min
So many people tell me the reason they drink is because they just really like the taste. So if that’s you, listen up. And if you want help unwinding this for yourself so you too can change your relationship with alcohol, let's chat. I can help you moderate or give up drinking for good. You know what you want for your life. I know how to help you get it. Book a free call with me and let’s get to work: https://tidycal.com/90dayslater/consult...
Oct 25, 2022•19 min
How to not finish what’s in your glass - back in the day that’s a question I used to ask myself over and over. I’d go to bars and restaurants and see people have a glass of wine then say that was enough. Or people who would leave a glass half drunk. And they would seem to do it with so much ease leaving wine in their glass, with so much peace. I used to puzzle how on earth was that possible? It seemed so out of reach to leave a glass half drunk — until it wasn’t. I get asked this question A LOT....
Oct 18, 2022•25 min
One of the reasons many people drink is to achieve a sense of calm. Especially after a hard day or when we feel stressed. Tune in to learn what you can do today to seek and achieve a sense of calm in your life without the crutch of alcohol. Each week I send weekly tips, techniques and mindset shifts to my email list. It’s content I don’t publish anywhere other than my list. Sign up to get access here: https://90dayslater.co/list I can help you moderate or give up drinking for good. You know what...
Oct 11, 2022•22 min
“I don’t know”. How many times do you say that? We believe it’s true. We believe that we’re missing information or insight or that we need more time to make a decision one way or the other. In fact this seems an eminently sensible approach. But in fact it’s one of the easiest ways to avoid a decision. In this week’s episode I talk about how I don’t know tends to show up and give you three strategies for moving forward and taking action to create an extraordinary life. So if you are stuck and fin...
Oct 04, 2022•13 min
This is a special bonus podcast about Sober October with Anna Charles. But this isn’t your usual Sober October. It’s not about restriction. Or saying no. Or holding yourself back. Or not having fun. Or avoiding temptation. Or not seeing your friends who drink. None of that. It’s a mindset shift. Set around the concept of Reasons to be Cheerful. 31 of them in fact. Throughout the month. You are not going to want to miss this. Sign up at: https://90dayslater.co/list And why do this alone? If you h...
Sep 28, 2022•5 min
The escape button is a powerful concept. It helps to explain the role we give alcohol in our lives when we drink more than we would like. In today’s episode I cover what the escape button is, when we use it and why it doesn’t work. And if you have a tendency to press your own, I also show you how to stop relying on it and instead start taking action. This is a podcast you are not going to want to miss. To receive tips and strategies to stop overdrinking direct in your email inbox, sign up here: ...
Sep 27, 2022•23 min
Today’s episode is for all of you who tell yourself you drink to relax. If this sounds like you, don’t worry. Tune into today’s episode and I’ll explain why so many of us find it difficult to relax without wine and what to do about it. And if you need help doing this, I coach clients 1-1 on achieving freedom around alcohol. To get started book your free consultation call. I can help you moderate or give up drinking for good. You know what you want for your life. I know how to help you get it. ...
Sep 20, 2022•31 min
Anticipated pleasure is powerful. In this episode I explore how we create anticipated pleasure, why it matters and how to use it to your advantage. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol, you will want to listen up. And if you want to lear what it would take for you to change YOUR relationship with alcohol, book a free consultation call with me. I can help you moderate or give up drinking for good. You know what you want for your life. I know how to help you get it. Book a free...
Sep 13, 2022•29 min
Opposite thinking is a powerful concept for dealing with thoughts and beliefs that are holding you back from achieving your goals. And yes, this works with your drinking and in every area of your life, too. Today I am covering the topic of dealing with thoughts that hold you back. Tune in to find out why so many of us believe we won’t succeed in our goals and how you can rewire your brain by learning to lean into the opposite. If you want to achieve permanent freedom around alcohol, book a free ...
Sep 06, 2022•29 min
