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Welcome to this solo episode of Sober'ish' Sparkle with me, Belinda Stark – your guide through all things sober curious, midlife, and meaningful.

In this heartfelt and honest chat, I dive into one of the most common questions I get asked: “How do I know if I’m drinking too much?” If you’re a midlife woman quietly wondering whether alcohol is still serving you – this episode is for you.

I unpack the subtle signs that might indicate your drinking is no longer aligned with how you want to feel – physically, emotionally, or mentally. I talk about my own experiences, the sneaky patterns many of us fall into (like drinking to relax, sleep, or socialise), and the turning points that often lead us to reassess our relationship with alcohol.

We’ll explore:

• Why questioning your drinking is actually a sign of strength (not weakness)
• The role of midlife stressors and how alcohol becomes a coping tool
• The myth of alcohol helping us sleep – and what really happens to our rest and energy
• The emotional toll of “just one more glass” and that 3am wake-up anxiety
• How the brain and body respond to alcohol (spoiler alert: they’re screaming for balance)
• Why we drink more than we plan to – and what that could be telling us
• Reframing the idea of alcohol as a reward – and what true self-care looks like

If you’ve been hiding your drinking, justifying it to yourself, or finding it hard to cut back – please know you’re not alone. In fact, many midlife women sit in the “grey area” of drinking – functioning on the outside, but silently questioning on the inside.

This episode isn’t about shame or labels. It’s about getting curious, trusting your intuition, and gently opening the door to something different.

You don’t need to hit rock bottom to want change. Sometimes the quiet whisper is enough.

If this conversation speaks to you, my Winter Warm-Up: Get Your Sober Sparkle course may be just the nudge you need. It’s a one-month guided experience for women in midlife who want to feel clearer, stronger, and more like themselves again – with zero judgement and lots of support.