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May 17, 2022Liked by Holly Whitaker

HSS changed everything for me. I wanted to know the why's, to know that I wasn't alone, to know that I wasn't broken, to learn how to get through the toughest times... You taught me that. I wouldn't be in my sobriety without HSS. It was exactly what I needed when I needed it. I hope that this next step will help get this guidance out to more people. The love that you put into it is definitely not as easy to replicate. I am blessed that you did what you did when you did it. I hope you contribute in whatever way you might find that works best for you.

In the meantime, I'm wrapping my head around your words:

A thing that has saved me this past decade of recovery: not believing it could have been anything other than it was, not wishing for different decisions made along the way.

There is some deep and beautiful wisdom in that... I'm actively reflecting on it. <3

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Andrea, thank you. A little short on the words today but holding all of this in my little hands. Glad that sentence stuck, it's the only way I made it through so much. xx

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Dear Holly, I read your words yesterday and this particular paragraph is exactly what I need to hear/read and reread for a few times a day for now. Thank you! "A thing that has saved me this past decade of recovery: not believing it could have been anything other than it was, not wishing for different decisions made along the way. All of the dumb things I have ever done, all of the mistakes and worst thinking and what we’d call regret—they are just things that happened, and here I am and my face is forward. Sometimes I think I am unsentimental, and other times perhaps too forward moving, but then I know the truth of it is both of those things, plus knowing that forgiveness, according to Lily Tomlin at least, is not wishing for a different history. I never wish for a different history."

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May 17, 2022Liked by Holly Whitaker

Cheers to your new adventures, Holly. You were my lifeline when I got sober in June of 2019. I knew I didn’t want AA, and I didn’t know what to do, but somehow your podcast with Melissa Urban fell in my lap and I knew I would be ok. Thank you for providing an alternative space and being the change. You will never know who you have touched, and in the end, it doesn’t matter. Your seeds of goodness are sprinkled through the earth doing good works. Thank you for being our trailblazer.

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This part: you will never know who you have touched, and in the end, it doesn't matter. I love you. thank you for this Kristin.

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May 18, 2022Liked by Holly Whitaker

I started with you in Hip Sobriety. The program you created, later Tempest, was so amazing. Everything you presented made sense to me, starting with meditation. I’ve been around a long time and am still with Tempest. 35 days in. I have had months free of alcohol and then back on. I feel different this time…. I finally committed to community and group calls. I am just fine with my path largely because of how you framed sobriety… creating a life you don’t need/want to escape from.

When you( and others) disappeared from Tempest , I felt sick. There was never any explanation. I felt sick last Tuesday because I don’t want it to change. I want the holistic, bottom up approach to remain. I’m worried about this transition but committed to the sober path. I am in awe of your creation and I can tell you, you have opened doors for so many people to find a life free of addiction and thrive.

You have no idea….. Thank you so so much Holly.

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Hi you. So many many thoughts but mostly, the thought about how strong, resilient and brave you are. I've kept reminding myself over the past year, similar to what Martha said on our last podcast, the things I wanted the least were the things I needed the most. Squeeing you from her and hope you feel that.

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May 17, 2022Liked by Holly Whitaker

Holly! Your authenticity and "call it like you see it" perspective was a lifeline to me when I was incredibly lost and couldn't seem to find my way out of a continuous drinking cycle. QLAW and Tempest spoke to me because they were honest, thoughtful, and courageous. It took me many, many day ones (and a rock star toolkit) but I'm now five months sober! I don't ever want to drink again - but even if I can't attain that perfect future - I am SO MUCH healthier. And happier. And vibrant. And better with the crappy days and feelings. I know where my North Star is. Your courage and blood/sweat/tears made that possible. So, today, when there are no words to describe how this chapter closed, be confident that that the journey fucking mattered - to me, and many others. I'm excited about what comes next for you.

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"I know where my North Star is." Holding my heart reading this. Thank you. Love you.

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Tempest I believe saved my life. Simple. And what I believe to be true. I joined in Jan2021. Today I am not far off a year of continuous sobriety. I tried the whole fucking gamete for years. I had success but not how this feels. You Holly started so much when you founded this. I am still with Tempest, I can only hope you may be involved with Monument. If not I will follow you wherever you are. Forever grateful Miranda ❤️

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Miranda, as so many have said to me "look what you did!"; look what you did. That is so powerful and beautiful and I absolutely am going to do my damn best to help the Tempest and Monument team. Love you.

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🙏💜🦋 Love you back Holly.

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May 18, 2022Liked by Holly Whitaker

Oh, Holly. Look at what you've done! How few people in the world leave footprints?

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<3 Emily.

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May 18, 2022Liked by Holly Whitaker

Holly, thank you so much for what you've put out into the world. I got sober in 2011 and did the typical meeting thing for a few years and left that because it had always been square peg, round hole for me. I cannot express enough to you the gratitude that your work and especially your book QLAW did for me. It is the book I wish I'd had when I got sober. I give it to anyone I know who expresses a question about their own drinking, and I have read it at least three times, including in audiobook format since it came out. I'm also enjoying your podcast, the episodes with Liz Gilbert and Martha Beck were especially delightful. I don't have any wise words about transitions, but I'll follow you into your next adventure and life stage if you continue choosing to share it. Cheers.

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May 17, 2022Liked by Holly Whitaker

I have been a member of Tempest since January, 2022. I have been sober for over 4 months because of the program you founded. I can’t thank you enough for doing that. It has changed my life. Please start a new program! 😄

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Karen!!! Four fucking months. Wow wow wow. I think I'd probably not make it a month or two starting a new one, but I think the one we made will keep going; here's to the most hopeful future. Congrats to you, love you.

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May 18, 2022·edited May 18, 2022

❤️ Thank you! NQTD!

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May 18, 2022Liked by Holly Whitaker

Thank you Holly for wielding the machete and revealing the path for me and for so many of us.

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this one hit me right in the throat. Thanks Jamie. Love you.

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May 17, 2022Liked by Holly Whitaker

❤️

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<3

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May 18, 2022Liked by Holly Whitaker

Wow! But more importantly, thank u Holly

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<3

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Holly - this post, Hip sobriety, Martha Beck, you being glorious you and so open and honest in that podcast made me whoop with joy. When Martha said, just do it by degrees, pin up a picture of California and start writing for 15 minutes!!!! And not letting things get to the explosion point!!! This podcast has just changed my life too. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s 2am in the morning here in England and I’m so glad I read your email and listened and didn’t go to sleep. I love you! Alison oxo

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I love you right back.

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Holly, you were always the "special sauce" for me in HSS. I honestly cannot imagine becoming sober without learning from you, who had navigated an incredibly difficult journey and taught me how to do the same. I also hope you will have a role with Monument, although they need you more than you need them.

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Dear Holly, I came on board to HSS in the Winter of 2016. I was the smart mouthed old gal with the red accordion, if you recall. Dearest, you saved my life spiritually and physically. I felt seen, understood and loved. I know the last few years have been a shit-show, and I am open handed, shrugging my shoulders. It isn't fair, but there it is. But please know that those of us you helped, those of us who felt treasured and nurtured, are standing here with you, in your debt. All my love, dearheart. Pam

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I love that you think that I need to recall who you are and I love these descriptors of you. Forever in my mind you're playing an accordion. Ugh, fuck, thanks for this. I'd say the same exact thing to you. Hands upon, what, and also, there it is. I love you so much, I miss you, you are so important to me. Thanks for making me feel seen, understood and loved. I think that's our legacy. Love you.

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Jun 20, 2022·edited Jun 20, 2022

Hip Sobriety had a huge impact on me, and changed my life for the better in so many ways. Your thoughtful, brave, insightful encouragement has made all the difference for me. Thank you!

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For what it's worth, I know you from everything BUT Hip Sobriety/Tempest. I've been sober almost 2 years and my guiding star was an interview I listened to within my first week AF. It was you talking to Ruby Warrington on the Sober Curious podcast. So many gems in that conversation. You've heard this all before, but AA was not an option for me and self-agency was. As a former occupational therapist, the guiding tenet in the field is to engage a client's "volitional subsystem"...a big fancy term for what you've been doing and saying in the recovery space and beyond. Hip Sobriety may be over but you are definitely not. xx

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