When life softens and the noise fades, many women turn toward small comforts. Perhaps you’re reaching for an evening glass of wine, a little extra scrolling, a late night snack. They seem harmless enough. But sometimes, these gentle rituals whisper of something deeper, a quiet ache, a missing sense of connection, a fading sense of “me” and dare I say it, loneliness.
It happens slowly.
The busyness eases, the roles shift, and on the surface, everything looks fine. Yet somewhere inside, there’s a space that feels unfilled.You might find yourself reaching for something to take the edge off, like a glass of wine while you make dinner, another while you tidy up. It’s part of your evening rhythm now. Familiar. Comforting. Normal. And yet, you sense it’s doing more than just helping you unwind.
This is often called grey area drinking, that space between social drinking and dependence. No crisis, no rock bottom. Just a slow, subtle drifting away from your own centre.
When purpose fades, something else often takes its place. Is yours the glass, the scrolling, the snacking? the numbing? We don’t often name the grief that comes with our shifting roles, but acknowledging that loss can be deeply freeing. None of this means you’re broken. It means you’re human and responding to change the best way you know how.
The Subtle Signs of Being Sober Curious
You might not say it out loud, but you feel it.Perhaps you look forward to that first sip more than you’d like to admit. Maybe you don’t finish the glass but somehow, you need it to mark the evening’s edge.Do you notice broken sleep? Foggier mornings? A mood that feels a little flatter?If any of that sounds familiar, please know that you are not alone.
This Isn’t About Shame. It’s About SelfTrust
You’ve lived. You’ve loved. You’ve hurt. You’ve gathered wisdom your younger self couldn’t even have imagined.You’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting again only this time, with experience.Being sober curious isn’t about giving something up; it’s about listening.Asking, “What is this drink really giving me and could I offer that to myself in a kinder way?” It’s rarely about the wine itself. It’s about what it represents: ease, comfort, transition, reward.When you change how you meet that need, the comfort stays. It just arrives through gentler means.
Gentle First Steps
You don’t need another rule or a grand declaration. Begin softly.
• Name what the glass gives you. Is it soothing? A signal to rest? A boundary between day and night?
• Keep the ritual, swap the ingredients. Keep your stemmed glass. Pour sparkling water with lime, or a beautiful 0.0% blend.
• Create a grounding moment. Before you pour, pause. Stand by the doorframe. Step outside. Breathe. Feel the air. Let your body know: the day is done.
You Don’t Need Another Rule. You Need a Reset
Before another January passes, take a moment to ask “does my routine still serve the woman I’m becoming?” That’s the heart of From Aging to Saging: a six-month group coaching journey for women ready to rediscover purpose, comfort, and self-trust.In a small circle of no more than twelve women, you’ll explore the habits that quietly take root when purpose blurs and learn to replace them with ones that nourish.Together, we’ll work with mindset tools and compassionate awareness to help you reconnect with yourself and the turning point that’s waiting.
What You’ll Leave With
• A renewed sense of purpose beyond your old roles.
• Calmer evenings and kinder rituals.
• Clearer boundaries and steadier energy.
• Confidence in your choices in life, love, and work.
If your nightly glass feels like an old story, perhaps it’s time to write a new one. Your next chapter begins January 2026.
To reserve your place or learn more, email Jules@juleswhale.com. I’d love to connect and answer your questions.
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