Ever reach for a drink because your feelings felt too big, too messy, or too hard? How often have you wondered what is the best way to feel your feelings without drinking? Coaches Soraya & Cole show that it isn't about white-knuckling through emotions; it's about letting them in. Dianne walked away from 15 alcohol-free years after her son's ultimatum broke her, and hasn't found her way back. Beth takes care of everyone around her but never lets anyone take care of her. In Dianne’s session: Fifteen years alcohol-free & what brought her back to drinking after leaving AA Why the "data point" approach still feels like failure in year two of The Path The family estrangement that cracked her open & how she’s been numbing it since The moment she realized every negative feeling about herself comes directly from drinking What is the best way to feel your feelings without drinking when the pain feels too big to face More on habit vs. craving, self-belief, & finding your way back to yourself. In Beth’s session: How alcohol-free days uncovered emotions she never knew she was carrying The habit of stuffing feelings down and why it kept her stuck drinking Learning emotions are not problems to fix, just experiences to witness and feel Why perfectionism and shame go hand in hand & how both fuel the urge to drink The fear of burdening others with her feelings and what that costs her An exercise in sitting with sadness & the surprising relief it brought More on journaling, self-compassion, & breaking perfectionism Soraya Odishoo is a compassionate Certified This Naked Mind Coach who blends somatic healing with therapeutic models to support recovery. She serves people who feel disconnected from their true selves and want freedom from substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. She takes a trauma-informed, heart-centered approach with a strong focus on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Learn more about Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning. Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: How To Stop Running Away from Life and Emotions - Reader Question - EP 632 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-630-readers-question-how-to-stop-running-away-from-life-and-emotions/  How Can I Prevent Relapse and Does All Sober Time Count? - Reader Question - EP 30 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-30-reader-question-how-can-i-prevent-relapse-and-does-all-sober-time-count/ How To Stop Numbing Your Feelings and Start Living - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - EP 859 - https://thisnakedmind.com/using-alcohol-to-numb-emotions-afc-e859/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Quince, and Shopify. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at betterhelp.com/nakedmind  Quince: get free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/naked Shopify: Sign up for $1 month trial at shopify.com/mind