Society has created such a stigma around being an “alcoholic” that we have an image of a homeless man sitting on a park bench when we hear that word. As a result of this stereotype many people who are drinking too much are able to reassure themselves that they are fine as they are still fully functional.

After all, they don’t drink in the mornings!

The societal norms around drinking have made it so that people who decide to quit are subject to questions and (ironically) inferences that they must have a “problem” if they are not drinking.

However, the good news is that there is a cultural shift going on as more and more people explore an alcohol-free lifestyle.

The Sober Curious Movement

The Sober Curious movement is a growing trend that emphasizes mindfulness and self-discovery. It fits right in with the modern focus on wellness. After all what is the point of eating organic, doing yoga, exercising daily and buying expensive beauty products if we are going to drink a toxin which will undo all the benefits!

Author Ruby Warrington coined the phrase “sober curious” in her book of the same title. As someone with seven years of sobriety, I can vouch for her inspiring subtitle: “The Blissful Sleep, Great Focus, Limitless Presence and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol.”

Interestingly, the sober curious movement is characterized by people who don’t necessarily have a “problem.” They are simply questioning the marketing messages and the societal pressure to drink alcohol at every occasion – from a christening to a wedding to a funeral. The sober curious set are often ex-party girls and boys just looking for a healthier lifestyle.

They are simply wondering what their life would look like without alcohol in it.

This movement is also good news for those of us who have become dependent on alcohol. There is now a great answer for those annoying people who are always asking questions that infer that you are an “alcoholic” because you don’t drink.

We can just say:

“I’m sober curious so I’m taking a break for a while – I’ll let you know how it goes!”

What to Drink When You Don’t Drink!

Along with sober curiosity we’ve seen a significant growth in the alcohol-free drinks industry as more and more people become aware of the harmful effects of alcohol on our health.

Wherever you live in the world, you will find some delicious choices. No longer do nondrinkers have to be happy with a coke or a glass of water. The vast range of alcohol-free alternatives make it so much easier to socialize without alcohol and when we get that 6pm urge to open a bottle of wine we can just open a bottle of alcohol-free wine instead.

The sober curious movement has inspired many people to take a break from alcohol with a view to living a mindful, intentional and alcohol-free life.

7 Tips for the Sober Curious

Make a Why List

You may start your Sober Curious period with great enthusiasm, but your motivation may waver after a while. That’s why you need a Why list. For example, are you taking a break from the booze to improve your health, to be more productive, to get fitter or to improve your relationships? Keep a sober curious journal and write your why list on the front cover.

Educate Yourself

Once you discover the harm alcohol does to the body and brain, your desire to drink will diminish. Read Alcohol Explained by William Porter or Bamboozled by Ken Middleton. There are plenty of QuitLit memoirs out there as well as podcasts featuring experts and inspiring recovery stories. Tribe Sober has a weekly podcast available on Apple or Spotify.

Discover Alternatives

There are plenty of fun activities that don’t involve alcohol. Instead of opening the wine at 6pm put on your headphones and go for a long walk instead. Discover some new interests and learn something new. Look at meetup.com for ideas about hobbies and udemy.com for hundreds of low-cost courses.

Find a Support Network

Tell your friends and your family that you are sober curious and will be taking a break from alcohol for a while. Tell them you will need their support and they are less likely to try to convince you to have “just one.” Find a friend to be your sober buddy or join a sobriety group like Tribe Sober who will connect you with others on the same path.

Try Yoga and Meditation

A break from alcohol is an excellent opportunity to try yoga and meditation. Sobriety enables us to connect with ourselves and to be fully present in the moment. If you haven’t tried yoga before, then there are plenty of free videos and you can download meditation apps on your phone such as Calm and Headspace.

Take It One Day at a Time

Remember, you are just curious! So don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Sobriety is a journey, and it’s about progress not perfection. If you have a slip up, then don’t beat yourself up – just start again the next day. Note the benefits you are experiencing in your journal and find other ways to treat yourself.

Review Your Progress

So how did your life feel without alcohol? Many people enjoy the clarity of thought and the extra energy that comes with sobriety and decide to keep it going. Taking a break is a great way to test your dependence on alcohol. If you found it really difficult to do this alone then join a group and try an alcohol-free challenge like the 30-Day Sober Jumpstart.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you sober curious? Do you take regular breaks from alcohol? Do you hate the thought of losing your nightly glass(es) of wine? Have you noticed that the young people in your life drink less than our generation did at their age?

Have you ever taken a holiday with close girlfriends?

I’ve read and heard stories about these kinds of shared-dream holidays that have gone spectacularly wrong. Disagreements emerged at every turn: where and what to eat, how much alcohol was ok, how early to get up, how much to do in one day, which side trips made sense, how much each person was willing to spend, etc. etc.

I realized after doing a little research that close-friend getaways can be a disaster. Sometimes ending up in the loss of long cherished friendships.

But in my experience, if you can agree ahead of time on the kind of trip you are going to take; and if you make and keep your priorities clear, a vacation with close girlfriends can be life-changing in the best of ways! Let me tell you about mine.

But First, a Brief History

Some years ago, I invited my dear friend Claire to join me at a place in Mexico where my husband and I often stay. As a couple, we have had some joyous and memorable holidays there. The condo looks out at the azure-blue Caribbean Sea. The beach is sandy and white and not overcrowded. Most days are very warm and sunny. It’s a kind of paradise.

But holidays often come at a time of year when one is feeling pretty tired. So, Claire and I decided that rest was a primary requirement for our joint getaway in early February. We agreed that we may or may not travel around Mexico after getting to the condo.

Though she is a dynamo of a woman, she was suffering at that time from very bad asthma. She thought the sun would do her a lot of good. But we did not want to end up having a “drain-cation.” So we agreed upon careful parameters.

After a few days in the sun, Claire’s symptoms of asthma improved remarkably. Deep rest, many hours of daylight, quiet meals, laughter and great conversation all added up to a shift in health that was pretty life-changing for her. After two weeks, we both returned home inspired and rested. Our work goals clearer; our energies renewed. We decided to do it again the following year.

How Can We Make It Better?

When the time came a year later to plan another girlfriend escape, we included Claire’s daughter, Erin, who, in her late 30s, is also a close friend of mine. This vacation ended up being even more memorable and transformative than the first. Both women are deep thinkers, but they also like to have fun. Again, we did not travel. Our main expenditures were the flight and condo costs. Perfect for our budgets.

Rest was a priority for each of us. Erin, who is in the documentary film business, has a brutal work schedule. So she also welcomed some down time. But we found things to do that rejuvenated us not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually, as well.

Here are a few of the activities that brought us joy and helped us to shift our perspectives in ways that have improved our lives. Perhaps you too can plan these kinds of things on your own girlfriend vacation.

How Do I Look This Year?

On our first trip together, Claire had brought some silky tops with the idea that we would take photos of ourselves in our bathing suits with these light cover-ups on the balcony overlooking the ocean. In her mind, these would be “here we are in our 60s and still smashing it” photos. When Erin joined us, we decided to do these quirky “photoshoots” again. And we have done this each year for 7 years.

How Can I Help You?

We know after all this time that these photoshoots are much more than merely taking pictures of one another. They stimulate long and deep conversations about what it means to grow older as a woman.

We observe the changes in our bodies as inevitable. But we explore more carefully the changes in how we feel about life. Can we find ways to maintain a positive outlook and spark some magic in our daily lives? Can we help one another to do this? And how?

Let’s Get Crazy!

I believe that it was youthful Erin who encouraged a midnight topless swim in the ocean. It’s not often that you will see 60-something women take off their tops and dive into inky late-night waters, but there we were, following Erin’s lead. It was exhilarating and naughty.

Fun to feel that kind of freedom for a few stolen minutes. That simple, zany outing opened up some pretty dazzling conversation about ways to spark more joy in our lives. Not just on vacation, but in everyday life.

Another night, we lay outside on a mattress on the balcony, watching the stars. We listened to the rhythm of the waves and talked about feeling ageless in that moment. Then we danced to 60s’ music in our pajamas until sleep beckoned.  

The Healing Power of Good Friends

These are simple, inexpensive things to do on a vacation. Some will find this type of vacation too limited – lacking in opportunities to see new things in a foreign country. From these no-frills kind of holidays, I have learned what a boon it is to have the support of women friends as the years go by.

Recent studies have shown us that we are more likely to age well and live longer if we have good friends and a loving social framework. I’m discovering that one way to build that framework with little stress is to take easy-going vacations together in a beautiful place. Perhaps this kind of getaway is also intriguing to you?

If you enjoyed this article and video, join Barbara’s monthly newsletter that explores singing and wellbeing.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you ever taken a girlfriend vacation? If so, did you enjoy it? What kinds of things did you do that gave you happiness? If not, are you drawn to the idea?

Madison LeCroy’s Pink Floral Belted Blazer and Skirt on Instagram

Southern Charm 2023 Instagram Fashion

Madison LeCroy STUNNED in her sneak peak of one of her Southern Charm confessional looks. She wore a pink floral belted blazer paired with a matching mini skirt and almost had us fooled it was a dress that just didn’t exist according to my search for it. But alas we tracked it down along with some Style Stealers and I wish you well shopping them both.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Cult Gaia Blazer

Click Here to Shop Her Cult Gaia Skirt

Photo: @madison.lecroy

Originally posted at: Madison LeCroy’s Pink Floral Belted Blazer and Skirt

Naomie Olindo’s Striped Polo Top on Her Instastories

Southern Charm 2023 Instagram Fashion

It’s been a minute since we’ve shared a nice Naomie fit. But Ms. Olindo wore the cutest outfit on her Instastories and we couldn’t resist! Thankfully it was on the easier side of tracking down since Naomie was attended a Veronica Beard event. Which is what this striped polo top and blue pants are. But they don’t just have to be Naomie’s and Veronica’s, they can be ours too because they are available to shop below.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Veronica Beard Top

Click Here to Shop Additional Stock

Click Here to Shop Her Veronica Beard Pants

Photo: @naomie_olindo

Originally posted at: Naomie Olindo’s Striped Polo Top

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

Some skincare products can take 28 days to yield visible results, according to the Dermatology and Mohs Surgery Institute, because that’s how much time it takes for new skin cells to form. Waiting a whole month can feel like such a drag, especially if you’re dealing with a specific skin concern. For those who are targeting their under eyes, if you’re tired of waiting to see a difference, give L’Amarue’s The Eye Cream a go. 

The formula is rich without feeling heavy, sticky or greasy, which is amazing news for those who want to wear it under their concealer and eye makeup. Rather than emphasize fine lines, it smooths and conceals them, according to shoppers.

“At first I liked how it felt and moisturized but I didn’t notice a difference in [the] appearance of fine lines until the third day of use,” wrote one reviewer. “Suddenly all the fine lines around my eyes disappeared and my outer corners and under eyes looked 15 years younger (I am 45 years). I also use it around my mouth and to calm blemishes. It is so effective and makes me feel so good, I get anxiety when I think about running out. Without a doubt, this is the best skin product I have ever used.”

If this sounds like your cup of tea, you’re in for an early Mother’s Day treat from L’Amarue. With promo code MDAY23, save 20 percent on The Eye Cream—and everything else on the site—through May 19. You might as well pick a tube up for both you and Mom!

Now, back to the under-eye skin savior. The all-star ingredients that make this cream so good include L’Amarue’s patent-pending Heart to Heart Complex, which “naturally directs your skin’s cells to communicate in a healthy, focused, clear way. By encouraging positive protein pathway signaling, it keeps the skin’s set of instructions simple, for all your skin wants and needs,” per the brand. 

Photo: L’Amarue.

The fast-acting formula is also filled to the brim with antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, horse chestnut seed extract, red raspberry seed oil and caffeine. These ingredients address visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, healing, inflammation, eczema and circulation.

It doesn’t stop there, though. Of course, you want an eye cream to hydrate. This one incorporates hyaluronic acid, squalane and glycerin to plump skin, strengthen the skin barrier, fight harmful pollutants and tackle wrinkles. Additionally, sea kelp bio ferment, chia seed oil, omega-6 fatty acids and xanthan gum support the skin biome. Boy, was that a mouthful! It just goes to show the thought that went into creating this anti-aging, fast-acting eye product. 

RELATED: People Are Low-Key Obsessed With This Cream That ‘Dramatically’ Helps Acne Scars & Premature Aging 

To apply, gently tap less than a pea-sized amount of the cream onto your under-eye area. Do this once or twice a day to see the best results. And if a blemish or acne scar crops up, feel free to apply this product on those areas, as well. Shoppers applaud the eye cream for how well it works for multiple uses. 

“L’Amarue Eye Cream is an absolute masterpiece! Not only do I use it for around the eye at bedtime, but I also lightly tap onto my problem spots,” raved one five-star reviewer. “It goes to work right away to calm and delicately nurture those areas. The next morning, WOW!”

“This is my favorite eye cream. I’ve noticed a huge difference in the plumpness of the skin near my eyes,” wrote another shopper. 

Do your under eyes a favor and give them a little dab of L’Amarue’s Eye Cream. Just remember to enter code MDAY23 to save 20 percent.