My First Sober Summer

It wasn’t until May 2021, almost 9 months after my last Day 1, that I had to navigate my first summer sober. 

Some Firsts Take A While

It feels so good to be writing this blog from my deck, sitting in the sunshine. The birds are chirping, the grass is green, and my seasonal allergies are back in action. But there is absolutely no way I am complaining about that because I am so freaking happy that I can be outside again without my face hurting. Yes, that’s a thing when you live in Vermont. 

I am such a summer girl. Sure, I love skiing, and cozying up with a blanket and a good book in the winter, and don’t even get me started on my love of Christmas  – I am a Capricorn afterall. But summer is something else. It’s when I really crave socialization, spend as much time as possible outside (with sunscreen, of course!), and enjoy my weekends at camp with my family, out on the lake on my standup paddle board, and going for hikes in the beautiful Green Mountains with my husband. 

I’ve always loved summer. But back when I was still drinking, it used to be a really good “excuse” to crack open a cold one. This is the perfect weather for an IPA. Let’s sit out on the deck and have a glass pitcher of sangria. My former colleagues and I would meet up regularly after work at the brewery, or a group of us girls would pack a cooler for a spontaneous evening picnic at the lake – it felt like everything I did revolved around alcohol. 

But unlike in the winter when I was doing a lot more solo bottles of red wine on the couch, summer gave me this feeling that it was okay. 

It’s fine. Everybody’s doing it. It’s summer.  

So when I was gearing up for what would be my last Day 1, I knew that sober summers were going to be a big adjustment. It was intimidating to think about. My last Day 1 was in August 2020, right smack in the middle of the pandemic. So while it was still summer, it wasn’t the usual social summers I was used to. I navigated my way through it with lots of Athletic Brew non-alcoholic beers around the fire pit in the backyard. 

It wasn’t until May 2021, when more group gatherings started up again, including returning to the office, that I had to navigate my first summer sober. 

And the truth is, it wasn’t easy. 

Everyone was grabbing drinks on the patio, or pairing beach days with red solo cups. That used to be me. That was Summer Lindsay. At least that’s what I thought. It was a big part of my life that I hadn’t experienced yet without alcohol. Even though I had already made it through so many milestones, so many firsts, it still felt uncomfortable.

The Realization

But then I realized something. Something big. And something that made me let go of the discomfort and celebrate this new first. It wasn’t easy, but it was mine. This was my first summer fully present. The real Summer Lindsay. I was able to do the things that I loved doing. I wasn’t waking up hungover and I had the energy to go for morning walks with my dog, or for my peaceful sunrise paddle boarding sessions. Things I had previously set aside because I wasn’t feeling well or prioritized my down time at home. My weekends were full of fun activities that made me feel so good and fulfilled. 

If you have been thinking about quitting alcohol but can’t imagine going through a summer without it, I get it. There are so many social and environmental cues that come up during the summertime and signal “this is when we drink”. Part of the work is retraining our brain so it doesn’t serve “drink alcohol” as a suggestion anymore. 

So, let me ask you this: What is getting in the way of you committing to this right now? 

Your family vacation at the lake house? The bachelorette party? Your best friend's annual 4th of July party? The < insert sport here > games?

There is always going to be something. Plans are not the problem. The problem is we keep waiting for life to get easier before we make a change. And you don't need an empty calendar to begin, you need a new vision. 

Envision Your First AF Summer

Envision what your summer could look like. What if this summer didn’t revolve around alcohol? What if this was the summer you went to the bbq party and actually remembered the conversations? What if you tried a mocktail and realized “I am still fun”? 

What if you woke up early and crossed a million things off your to-do list before 8 am? Or you start that garden - try paddle boarding, even.

🏖️ Check out my list of fun sober summer activities.

Here’s what I know - in three months you can be a completely different woman. And in six months you could have a different life. More clear, more confident, more energized. More of you being you. And it starts with you deciding that alcohol doesn't get to run the show this summer. You are allowed to try something different – build a summer you don't want to escape from. 

What could your summer look like alcohol-free? What version of you could exist three months from now? You don’t need to know how, you just need to decide you are ready for more and that you want this change. I will guide you through the how.

How to Be Alcohol-Free in the Sunshine

If you are ready for your first sober summer, join my 13-week group coaching program: Feel Good AF. You will have the tools and support you need to navigate those challenges and to enjoy your vacation, the bbqs, baseballs, parties - without even thinking about alcohol. 

Disclosures: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

And remember, Lindsay is a sober coach, not a health professional. If you are chemically dependent on alcohol, consult your doctor on the steps you need to take to safely detox.