I think I watched this live when you made the video. I watched it with tears coming down my face. I did not have a moment like you describe but rather the whole year of fighting with myself and I was done. This video was my surrender moment.
I was sad when you removed it from Youtube - as I would watch it each year as a reminder.
You were the voice I hear on the HOME podcast, this video and Insta - that allowed me to say to myself - "I am not sure about this whole sober thing and if I can really do it .... but whatever she has .. I want some of that in my life and I am ready to fight like hell to get it..." that was 2016 - and I my sober date is October 1, 2018.
I celebrate you each year - not just as a fanboy - but as someone who respects and loves you for you. You are so brave.
A note for others, who might be reaching for their sobriety, the other gem that Holly would say that I held on too like a teddy bear was "This is it... your doing it... all the good and bad. - this is what it looks like ... keep going"
I have a lot of growth ahead of this 56 year old and my sobriety is my bedrock foundation.
My sober date is 1/2/21 - 4 years tomorrow. I have other cross addictions that have set up shop snuggly and smugly right where alcohol used to hinge itself.
The keep going-ness never ceases.
Thanks for offering this, Holly. I know where I will place my Audible credit this month. 💛
I still remember opening your mantra emails each day, and poring over the personal story with each while sipping my morning coffee. I’m the best kind of nostalgic for those early days now... as I approach year 5. Thank you, Holly.
I loved that you mentioned IFS recently. I’m in a personal and professional IFS deep dive right now.
Are you familiar with the IFS perspective on addictions? I just heard Cece Sykes speak at a conference and loved her approach. I plan to get this book: Internal Family Systems Therapy for Addictions: Trauma-Informed, Compassion-Based Interventions for Substance Use, Eating, Gambling and More (Sykes, Sweezy and Schwartz).
Congratulations on your new book.
BTW, your self-care chapter in QLAW is one of the best things I’ve heard on that topic.
I found an envelope last weekend of your mantras that I wrote on little pieces of paper during HSS. kind of blew me away how long ago 2018 feels and how these little mantras stacked up to big changes. Grateful for you!! ❤️
I found your Substack over a year ago and I found myself FINALLY listening to Quit Like a Woman on day 1 of my second Dry January.
A horrific divorce a few years ago has sent me into spaces I hope I'd never return to (see: your reference to 'alcoholic phase' in your book,MAN did that resonate), but of course I did.
I drank less this past year than I have in over 20 years thanks to quit lit, tracking apps and more awareness. I looked at Dry January this year as a sanctuary. I am so excited to dig into all you have to offer.
And thank you for your book. Between you and Catherine Grey I've started a big mindset shift.
I just wrote a new post on it. I have too much shit I want to do in this life to worry about hangovers and self-loathing. I deserve better than that.
Tara!!! Alcoholic phase...I still can see her saying it. I think what you are doing is so big and beautiful, it is a process, something that moves over time (and continues and continues and continues) and I love how much you honor that here in this note. Big hug, so much tenderness on your way. xx
it me! Does it not sound like me? (I listened to a HOME podcast (podcast I did in 2015-2017) last week with my bf and we both were thrown off by how different I sound.) Anyway!! Yay! It's already wonderful! <3
Holllllly girl, I fucking love you! And I'm so grateful for you. On your affirmations, I remember "Never Question the Decision" saving me as I quit alcohol and cannabis. It makes so much sense! And eliminates the need to argue with yourself.
And on cannabis, especially article 1 - Yes, it does seem like everyone is high, all the time.
I live in San Francisco, and the pervasiveness of cannabis shops, products, etc. is overwhelming.
I realized cannabis addiction had just replaced alcohol addiction about a year after I stopped drinking. I was smoking more and earlier in the day than I ever had with drinking! The social acceptance - kinda forced on us - made it easier to excuse for me.
Thank you for the wonderful, life-saving work that you do. I am so grateful for you!
It's pretty insane to follow addiction news and the cannabis stuff--it's just completely set up to profit from everyone's pain the same exact way but I feel like it's even more pervasive because there's a false sense of safety around it. NQTD baby <3
I love this! I remember purchasing the mantra project in 2018 and it getting me through a truly difficult time in my life. I seem to however replaced more destructive dopamine habits with impulsive/compulsive spending… this is my year to REALLY look at that. Also, late diagnosed ADHDer …. Everything Makes Sense Now. Love you! And congratulations on being the ONLY book I will purchase in 2025 (I have literally 500 unread at home - I’m sure you understand).
As far as the video is concerned, it doesn't appear that you have aged a day in 12 years. Do you have an aging portrait of yourself in an attic somewhere, Ms Dorian Grey?
Holly.
Thank you for sharing this video.
I think I watched this live when you made the video. I watched it with tears coming down my face. I did not have a moment like you describe but rather the whole year of fighting with myself and I was done. This video was my surrender moment.
I was sad when you removed it from Youtube - as I would watch it each year as a reminder.
You were the voice I hear on the HOME podcast, this video and Insta - that allowed me to say to myself - "I am not sure about this whole sober thing and if I can really do it .... but whatever she has .. I want some of that in my life and I am ready to fight like hell to get it..." that was 2016 - and I my sober date is October 1, 2018.
I celebrate you each year - not just as a fanboy - but as someone who respects and loves you for you. You are so brave.
A note for others, who might be reaching for their sobriety, the other gem that Holly would say that I held on too like a teddy bear was "This is it... your doing it... all the good and bad. - this is what it looks like ... keep going"
I have a lot of growth ahead of this 56 year old and my sobriety is my bedrock foundation.
Thank you Hols
Your friend.
Terry
gosh I just love you so much Terry. It is such a reward to know you, I still drink out of the cup you gave me in Austin. We're very lucky. <3
My sober date is 1/2/21 - 4 years tomorrow. I have other cross addictions that have set up shop snuggly and smugly right where alcohol used to hinge itself.
The keep going-ness never ceases.
Thanks for offering this, Holly. I know where I will place my Audible credit this month. 💛
the keep going-ness never ceases <3 Love you and congratulations Allison!!! And YAY on your audible credit lol!
I still remember opening your mantra emails each day, and poring over the personal story with each while sipping my morning coffee. I’m the best kind of nostalgic for those early days now... as I approach year 5. Thank you, Holly.
Gosh isn't nostalgia so wonderful sometimes. Love you so much dear Dana.
Holly,
I loved that you mentioned IFS recently. I’m in a personal and professional IFS deep dive right now.
Are you familiar with the IFS perspective on addictions? I just heard Cece Sykes speak at a conference and loved her approach. I plan to get this book: Internal Family Systems Therapy for Addictions: Trauma-Informed, Compassion-Based Interventions for Substance Use, Eating, Gambling and More (Sykes, Sweezy and Schwartz).
Congratulations on your new book.
BTW, your self-care chapter in QLAW is one of the best things I’ve heard on that topic.
THIS! I had no idea and I appreciate so so much this resource! Purchased and gonna dig in. Thank you so much for this note and the rec 🫂🫂♥️
Que viva la Revolucion!
They also address cultural and legacy burdens - inter generational trauma, patriarchal, all the “isms”.
This makes me so, so happy. Thank you again.
I hesitate to comment again, but if it interests you, check out the Cape Cod Institute’s summer courses in IFS.
CCI and the Cape are magic.
I also saw that Cece has an IFS workshop in IL next autumn. ❤️💪🏾
Only 20 minutes in, but, nailed it. Thank you for putting this out, sharing what’s in your head with us. It matters, a lot.
Oh YAY! 🫂 that makes me so happy
I found an envelope last weekend of your mantras that I wrote on little pieces of paper during HSS. kind of blew me away how long ago 2018 feels and how these little mantras stacked up to big changes. Grateful for you!! ❤️
It feels so close doesn't it? Like just a minute ago. I have a little bundle of them on cards I pull :)
Holly,
I found your Substack over a year ago and I found myself FINALLY listening to Quit Like a Woman on day 1 of my second Dry January.
A horrific divorce a few years ago has sent me into spaces I hope I'd never return to (see: your reference to 'alcoholic phase' in your book,MAN did that resonate), but of course I did.
I drank less this past year than I have in over 20 years thanks to quit lit, tracking apps and more awareness. I looked at Dry January this year as a sanctuary. I am so excited to dig into all you have to offer.
And thank you for your book. Between you and Catherine Grey I've started a big mindset shift.
I just wrote a new post on it. I have too much shit I want to do in this life to worry about hangovers and self-loathing. I deserve better than that.
Really excited to keep going.
Tara!!! Alcoholic phase...I still can see her saying it. I think what you are doing is so big and beautiful, it is a process, something that moves over time (and continues and continues and continues) and I love how much you honor that here in this note. Big hug, so much tenderness on your way. xx
thank you for your endless inspiration and kind words! Excited to feel and experience everything unfold.
who narrates this? is this your voice (I don't think so?) listening and it's already wonderful.
it me! Does it not sound like me? (I listened to a HOME podcast (podcast I did in 2015-2017) last week with my bf and we both were thrown off by how different I sound.) Anyway!! Yay! It's already wonderful! <3
Holllllly girl, I fucking love you! And I'm so grateful for you. On your affirmations, I remember "Never Question the Decision" saving me as I quit alcohol and cannabis. It makes so much sense! And eliminates the need to argue with yourself.
And on cannabis, especially article 1 - Yes, it does seem like everyone is high, all the time.
I live in San Francisco, and the pervasiveness of cannabis shops, products, etc. is overwhelming.
I realized cannabis addiction had just replaced alcohol addiction about a year after I stopped drinking. I was smoking more and earlier in the day than I ever had with drinking! The social acceptance - kinda forced on us - made it easier to excuse for me.
Thank you for the wonderful, life-saving work that you do. I am so grateful for you!
It's pretty insane to follow addiction news and the cannabis stuff--it's just completely set up to profit from everyone's pain the same exact way but I feel like it's even more pervasive because there's a false sense of safety around it. NQTD baby <3
Omg that music transfer app - THANK
YOU
LIFE CHANGING
I’ve always been a huge fan of you and your work, thank you for the new program on audible!
YAY! Thanks Melissa <3
I love this! I remember purchasing the mantra project in 2018 and it getting me through a truly difficult time in my life. I seem to however replaced more destructive dopamine habits with impulsive/compulsive spending… this is my year to REALLY look at that. Also, late diagnosed ADHDer …. Everything Makes Sense Now. Love you! And congratulations on being the ONLY book I will purchase in 2025 (I have literally 500 unread at home - I’m sure you understand).
Same same same same same! God the shopping stuff is so real and the tech stuff. I have so many fucking unread books my gawd.
As far as the video is concerned, it doesn't appear that you have aged a day in 12 years. Do you have an aging portrait of yourself in an attic somewhere, Ms Dorian Grey?
hahahahaha. Oh Joe. I'll eventually write about this but I 100% have aged fantastically from the past few years. Big love.
150%. Big love back.
I meant you have aged 150% in a great way
It really is about the "keep going-ness" I love this.
<3
Love it!