Could Life Feel Better Without Alcohol?

Do you ever wake up regretting how much you drank the night before—even though, from the outside, your drinking looks perfectly “normal”? My guest, Kate Bee, is the founder of The Sober School, an online community helping women change their relationship with alcohol without shame, labels or a lifetime declaration that they will never drink again. Kate describes her own experience of feeling lost somewhere between “normal” drinking and the stereotypes associated with alcoholism. We explore grey-area drinking, the way alcohol has been woven into female friendship and empowerment, and why it can begin to affect us differently during perimenopause and beyond. We also discuss: \* How to recognise when alcohol is no longer working for you \* Why moderation rules can become exhausting \* The connection between alcohol, anxiety, sleep and menopause \* Whether you need to identify as an alcoholic before choosing to stop \* Why Kate recommends a meaningful alcohol-free experiment rather than focusing on “forever” \* The unmet needs that can lie beneath the urge to drink \* Socialising and celebrating without alcohol \* How sobriety helped Kate understand her personality, values and the life she genuinely wanted This is a warm, non-judgemental conversation for anyone who has privately wondered: *Is this becoming too much?* **Find Kate Bee** The Sober School: https://thesoberschool.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesoberschool/ Kate offers free guides, videos and other resources through The Sober School website. **Find Jo** My book, *Ageing Wonderfully Well*: https://geni.us/AgeingWonderfullyWell Midlife & Beyond: https://joblackwell.co.uk **Important:** This conversation is for general information and support, not medical advice. If you may be physically dependent on alcohol, do not stop suddenly without medical guidance, as withdrawal can be dangerous. NHS alcohol support and guidance. Get full access to Midlife & Beyond with Jo Blackwell at joblackwellmidlifeandbeyond.substack.com/subscribe