Mocktails and Marathons - Live your best life, alcohol free

Hi, I’m Kristen, and I’m so glad you’re here!

I’m just a girl documenting her sobriety journey. I’ve come a long way from the morning vodka drinker that I used to be. I’m here to be your sober mom friend, the one that cheers you on, picks you up, is brutally honest, and shows that life really is better without alcohol. If you are questioning your relationship with alcohol, looking to cut back or cut it out completely, you’ll find stories that are relatable, tips that are practical, and how I’m living my best life without alcohol getting in the way.

Read my story here.

A sober woman and her family

Latest Posts

Sobriety

How to Overcome Boredom in Early Sobriety

January 16, 2025
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What to Do If You Slip on Your Alcohol Free Journey

January 15, 2025
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The Power of Self-Care in Sobriety: Why It Matters & How to Start

January 10, 2025
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Staying Motivated in Sobriety: A Guide to Thriving Alcohol Free

January 9, 2025

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@mocktailsandmarathons

mocktailsandmarathons

✨How to quit drinking & enhance your life
💕Sober tips, inspiration & real talk
👟Using nutrition & movement to stay alcohol free
📍Madison, WI

I put a poll up in my stories the other day asking

I put a poll up in my stories the other day asking about what people were struggling with during Dry January. The overwhelming response was boredom.

In early sobriety, boredom often comes from your brain adjusting to a lack of dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical that alcohol used to provide. Drinking floods your brain with dopamine, creating that temporary sense of excitement, reward, or escape. But over time, your brain starts to rely on alcohol for those spikes, leaving everyday activities feeling dull or less enjoyable without it.

When you quit drinking, your brain needs time to rebalance. Without those artificial dopamine hits, things can feel flat or even boring at first. It’s not that life is boring, it’s that your brain is learning how to create joy and excitement naturally again.

This phase can be tough, but it’s temporary. As you stay sober, your brain begins to heal, and you’ll start finding real, lasting joy in simple, authentic moments, moments that alcohol could never truly give you. Hold on, because the best is yet to come.

Swipe through and find a few things you are willing to try, I bet you’ll be surprised by what you gravitate towards. I want to know what you pick!

And for those who have gotten through that boredom, leave some advice or your new hobby for encouragement. Happy Hobbying!

My DMs are always open. ♥️

#alcoholfree #sober #sobermom #bored #boredom #earlysobriety #mentalhealth #sobercurious #dryjanuary #gettingsober #alcoholfreelife #soberliving #soberjourney

If you’ve hit that point in January where all yo

If you’ve hit that point in January where all you want is a beach vacation and all that comes with it, I’m teaming up with the @thezeroproof to bring you the next best thing: the ISH Daiquiri Non-Alcoholic Canned Cocktail from The Zero Proof.

It brings all the vibes of a classic daiquiri: ISH Caribbean Spiced Spirit (non-alcoholic rum), fresh lime juice, and raw sugar, and none of the regret. After trying, you might just close your eyes and feel the ocean breeze. (I mean, MAYBE)

✨ Why I love it:

* Quick & easy: Chill the can and enjoy straight, or serve in your favorite glass.
* Customizable: Add a splash of lime juice, a slice of jalapeño for a spicy twist, my favorite way to enjoy.
* Alcohol-free: Perfect for Dry January, sober curious journeys, or anyone looking to enjoy delicious drinks without the alcohol.

Find the ISH Daiquiri and so many more amazing alcohol-free options at thezeroproof.com. It’s your one-stop shop for all things non-alcoholic, so you can sip on something special all year long.

Head to thezeroproof.com and bring a little sunshine to your Dry January! Don’t forget to use Mocktailsandmarathons15 at checkout or comment VACATION and I’ll send all the info your way.

#DryJanuary #TheZeroProof #ISHDaiquiri #Mocktails #AlcoholFree #SoberCurious #SoberLiving #AFDrinks #HangoverFree #zeroproof #alcoholfree #alcoholfreeliving #notdrinking #sober #sobercurious #mocktails

Sobriety is full of paradoxes. You can feel clear

Sobriety is full of paradoxes. You can feel clear and strong AND still miss what you left behind. It’s okay to hold space for both.

Which of these resonates with you most? Or what would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments below.

#SoberLiving #SoberCurious #AlcoholFree #DryJanuary #SoberSupport #SobrietyJourney #HangoverFree #SoberCommunity #AFMindset #SoberMotivation #SobrietyRocks #SoberVibes #SoberAndStrong #SoberLifestyle #SoberGrowth #MindfulDrinking #SoberLife #SoberInspiration #AlcoholFreeLiving #SoberWins #sobermom #notdrinking

I think when people are asking this question, they

I think when people are asking this question, they are looking for something to compare their drinking to. They think If they aren’t as bad as I was, then they aren’t that that bad at all. They can justify their drinking a little longer.

There is always a second part to my answer though. Don’t compare your drinking to my drinking. You don’t need to be where I was to quit. The quantity doesn’t matter. I wasn’t always drinking a bottle of vodka and then some in a few days time. It started off as just drinking a few glasses of wine on a Friday or Saturday night.

If you are questioning your drinking already and looking for justifications, then it’s probably time to take a good hard look at your relationship with alcohol.

There is no magical number that qualifies you as an alcoholic. You don’t have to hit a certain number of drinks to have a problem. I took it too far, I let it get worse. I let the progression of the disease take over. You don’t have to.

If you’re struggling, know my DMs are always open.

#sober #alcoholfree #mysoberjourney #hangoverfree #sobercurious #sobercommunity #soberup #sobriety #recovery #sobersisters #iamsober #health #sobermom #sobersister #soberjourney #mentalhealth #alcoholusedisorder #mocktails #alcoholic #soberinstagram #soberinspiration #soberliving #sobermotivation #notdrinking #notdrunk #soberparenting #soberstory #mysoberstory

Leave a ♥️ if you feel the same way. There’

Leave a ♥️ if you feel the same way.

There’s something magical about waking up sober on a Sunday morning. No pounding headache, no replaying the night before in my head, no anxiety over what I might have said or done. Just peace, clarity, and gratitude.

These moments have become my favorite part of being alcohol free.

{sober curious, alcohol-free, Dry January, sobriety journey, alcohol-free lifestyle, sober motivation, sober wellness, mental clarity, health and wellness, sober inspiration, living alcohol-free}

If you’re reading this, you’ve already made it

If you’re reading this, you’ve already made it past National Quitters Day. For those who don’t know, this is the day when most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions or challenge.

If you’re still here, still trying, still showing up, you’re doing amazing.

Sobriety can feel frustrating, slow, and like nothing is changing. I’ve been there. My alcohol-free journey has taken years. Years of questioning, slipping, trying again, and feeling like I’d never get it right. I know how hard it is to keep going when progress feels invisible.

But here’s the truth: those moments when nothing seems to change are the ones that build your foundation. The frustration, the doubt, the “Why am I even doing this?” it all leads somewhere.

One day, something shifts. A craving gets easier to manage. You wake up and feel lighter. You notice how much more present you are with your loved ones.

That shift may feel small at first, but it grows. And one day, you’ll look back and see undeniable progress. You’ll realize that every hard moment, every decision to keep going, was worth it.

So if you’re struggling right now, don’t give up. Keep showing up for yourself. The shift you’re waiting for might be closer than you think.

And know, my DMs are always open.

{Sober curious, alcohol-free, dry January, sobriety, drinking struggles, lying and trust, keep going, forgiveness, recovery journey, breaking habits, trust rebuilding, impacts of drinking, personal growth, support and community, sober, consistency, sober community, sober mom}

Comment with a 🙌 if you’re heading into the w

Comment with a 🙌 if you’re heading into the weekend alcohol free.

Here is your reminder: Nothing that you do requires a drink. ♥️

{alcohol-free, sober curious, sobriety journey, sober lifestyle, quit drinking, alcohol-free living, sober support, mental clarity, personal growth, alcohol-free inspiration, sober motivation, sober journey, life without alcohol, Dry January}

Which one was you? It’s okay to say all of them,

Which one was you? It’s okay to say all of them, because, SAME!

Sometimes you need to laugh at what was to see how far you’ve come. I’ve gotten a lot a messages about shame lately and the guilt people feel around their drinking days. It’s heavy, it can be a lot, but it also can’t be changed. Know where you came from and look at where you are now and be proud. No matter where you are on your journey, know you are taking steps to get to where you want to be.

{Sober curious, alcohol-free, Dry January, sobriety, recovery, mindful drinking, sober journey, hangover-free, emotional sobriety, breaking habits, self-discovery, personal growth, zero proof, alcohol-free lifestyle, sober community, sober living, alcohol-free support, humor, zero proof}

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Sobriety

How to Overcome Boredom in Early Sobriety

January 16, 2025

In early sobriety, one of the most surprising and frustrating emotions can be boredom. You’ve made this incredible, life-changing decision to quit drinking, but instead of feeling excited or accomplished, […]
Sobriety

What to Do If You Slip on Your Alcohol Free Journey

January 15, 2025

Slipping or relapsing on your alcohol-free journey can feel like the ultimate setback, but here’s the truth: it’s not. In fact, research shows that relapses are common and often a […]

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