In today’s lesson, Erica of ShameOver shared 4 Master Moderation Tips that can help us carry forward the lessons we learn during Kickstart: Zero Proof.

Now, we’d like you to pick at least one of these tips to try throughout the month. Take some time to think or journal about how you will apply this tip to your daily life. They are listed below in case you need a refresher.

ShameOver’s Master Moderation Tip 1: Swap the hide-and-seek for a little (or a lotta) introspection. Sit down and have a heart-to-heart with yourself about why you’re clutching that wine glass like it’s a lifeline. Spoiler alert: It’s time to cozy up to discomfort like it’s a rom-com marathon.  Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with the bottle and dare to ask yourself the tough questions. Who are you when the cork is popped? Why do you drink? What is alcohol doing for you? Embrace the discomfort – it might just become your new BFF. 

ShameOver’s Master Moderation Tip 2: Drop the remote, pick up a pen, and spill your guts onto paper. Write down the good, the bad, and the ugly truths about your relationship with the bottle. It’s about time you became the author of your own story, with a twist of humor, of course. Write about your feelings, your struggles, and your triumphs. Get clear and understand why you’ve been clinging to the bottle and letting it be your source of entertainment, confidence, and stress reduction. When you learn to fill your emotional cup FIRST, you’ll need to fill your physical one less and less.

ShameOver’s Master Moderation Tip 3: Be honest with yourself about why you’re reaching for that drink. Is it to fit in? To escape? To numb the discomfort? Acknowledge it, laugh at it, and then face it head-on. Confess your love-hate relationship with alcohol, laugh at the irony, and strut through the discomfort like it’s your own personal runway. If you really want to take Kickstart: Zero Proof seriously and reap the benefits long term, then get serious about why you want (or need) this break and let yourself feel the feels.

ShameOver’s Master Moderation Tip 4: Throw some confetti on that discomfort, and practice vulnerability and self-compassion. Allow yourself to feel the discomfort and embrace it without judgment. You’re not failing; you’re evolving. Remind yourself that growth comes from the awkward, messy, and downright uncomfortable moments. Cheers to you and the unapologetically flawed masterpiece that you are!