What happens when “just one drink” becomes a way of life? In this episode of Mindfully Sober, Claire Riley - author, coach, content creator, and recovering perfectionist - opens up about the moment she realised she’d had enough. From the nagging fears of not fitting in and the fear of failure, to the bold decision to circle a date on the calendar and never look back, Claire shares a fun and empowering way to let go of alcohol.
💬 “I wasn’t in crisis. I just knew if I didn’t change, I’d end up in the doctor’s office a year later, beating myself up because I saw the problem and did nothing.”
Whether you’re sober-curious, ready to quit, or simply questioning your habits, this episode will show you how to reframe fear into empowerment and a bit of a game.
🌿 Key Takeaways
- Why “enough” became Claire’s most life-changing mantra.
-The hidden fear behind stopping drinking—and how to face it.
The power of choosing a quit date (and looking forward to it).
Interesting facts about the younger generations’ consumption of alcohol. (I love this!!)
Connect with Claire Riley:
Website: www.claireriley.co
Instagram and Facebook: @claireriley
Book: The Recovering Perfectionist https://www.claireriley.co/therecoveringperfectionist

Connect with Sophie Anderson

🌐 ⁠www.sophieanderson.au⁠💌 ⁠hello@sophieanderson.au

Cravings can feel overwhelming — but science says they usually last only 90 seconds if we don’t give in to them. That means you don’t need to fight cravings forever, just ride the wave with the right tools.
In this episode, I share 5 common alcohol triggers and simple, mindful alternatives that actually work. These aren’t about “white-knuckling” it — they’re about finding what your body and mind are really asking for, whether that’s calm, joy, stimulation, or connection.
If you can build this go-to toolkit, cravings lose their power — and you gain your freedom.

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www.sophieanderson.au | hello@sophieanderson.au

Today I am joined by my passionate and inspiring sister Caroline Dusseault, who also stopped drinking in 2020. When daily drinking started making her feel uncomfortable, Caroline began to ask the hard question: “What if I wouldn't drink at all?”

In this honest conversation, Caroline traces how family history, small daily habits and a relentless inner craving nearly stole her spark — and how choosing sobriety ignited her creativity and clarity.

She talks about “that little monster telling me I’m gonna die if you don’t drink!” and points listeners toward the hard work of going deeper (the real healing) rather than staying on the surface. This episode gives you practical, no-fluff insight into how to notice the patterns that numb you, and how to choose freedom instead.

Top Highlights:

• How to spot the small, everyday slide into dependency

• Practical mindset shifts that protect wellbeing

• What craving might sound and feel like — and how to respond with humour

Here’s a simple invitation for you: ask yourself, What if I wouldn’t drink at all?

Note: Teal Swan is the woman we are talking about in this episode – one of her related videos is https://youtube.com/shorts/vofAZ60rCpk?si=219BYVm0K2Wn5_yF

Connect with Caroline Dusseault: https://www.youtube.com/@ladusso

Connect with Sophie Anderson 🌐 ⁠www.sophieanderson.au⁠💌 ⁠hello@sophieanderson.au