LAF Life (Living Alcohol Free)

Holiday Wrap Up Episode! Season 2

December 04, 2022 LAF Life Season 2 Episode 11
LAF Life (Living Alcohol Free)
Holiday Wrap Up Episode! Season 2
Show Notes Transcript

This is our Holiday Wrap-Up Episode.  We had fun with this episode playing some holiday Scattergories, reminiscing about the ghosts of drunken Christmas past and sharing our top holiday party tips for surviving holiday gatherings alcohol free!
LAF Life will be taking a break for the holidays to enjoy sometime with our families. Tune back in when we release more new episodes with great topics and amazing new guests this February. Catch up on current episodes over the holidays @laflifepodcast. We wish all our listeners a safe and happy holiday season and we look forward to seeing you back here in the new year! 

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions.
If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

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Connect with your podcasters. We'd love to hear from you!
Tracey:
https://www.instagram.com/tnd1274/
Kelly:
https://www.instagram.com/pamperedkel/
Lindsey:
https://www.instagram.com/hariklindsey/

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Music provided by Premium Beats:
https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

Resources:
Wellness Togethe...

Holiday Wrap Up Episode! Season 2 

Kelly: [00:00:00] welcome to the LAF life podcast, a lifestyle podcast based on living alcohol free and a booze-soaked world. My name is Kelly Evans and together with my friends, Tracey Djordjevic, Mike Sutton, and Lindsay Harik. We share uncensored. Unscripted real conversations about what our lives have been like since we ditched alcohol and how we got here by sharing our individual stories.

We'll show you that there isn't just one way to do this, no matter where you are on your journey from sober, curious to years in recovery and everyone in between, you are welcome here, no judgment and a ton of support. 

Hey everybody. Welcome back to the LAF Life podcast. This is our season two wrap up episode Tonight. We have holiday scattegories for you, so welcome everybody.

Tracey: Hello. Hi.

Kelly: Hi guys. 

Mike: Hello. 

Kelly: Yeah, so this episode will be airing on [00:01:00] December 6th. So going into the holidays before we hit record, we were chatting a little bit about what our holidays used to be like and 

Lindsey: mm-hmm.

Kelly: what our, yeah. Lynn, why don't you start off 

Lindsey: ooh, Christmas. I was just saying before we hit record, since when did Christmas become an excuse to just get wasted, because that's what would happen Christmas Eve at my mom's. That is like, that was one of the biggest drinking holidays. Of the year and I would typically end up, blackout and the last Christmas of my drinking career three years ago, cuz this December is gonna be three years sober.

Yeah. Had to be carried into my house at the end of the night. And of course, I never wanted to leave, I always wanted to keep drinking more and I always wanted to open that next bottle of wine. I don't know, I just think going through a couple Christmases already, not drinking, it's literally the best gift that you [00:02:00] can give yourself is a sober Christmas and it's a jumpstart on that New Year's resolution. That's kind of how I ended up quitting. Cuz, I quit in December, right before Christmas and I thought, you know what? I'm gonna. Have a sober Christmas where I'm not drinking. And the first one was really awkward because everybody was like, what? Brother-in-law brought me a nice big bottle of red wine because that was the usual thing for me, and I didn't tell anybody. And now I love it. I just love my sober Christmases. 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. Oh, that's awesome. 

Lindsey: Yeah. Yeah. I think there's just so much to enjoy. When you're sober,

Kelly: is there still a lot of drinking going on at those events or were you the, the one, 

Lindsey: oh, I was the one. But they're still drinking at my mom's, but I feel like. My lack of drinking, it's a different vibe. It creates a different vibe. So, people leave early and now there's kids, both of my [00:03:00] sisters, they each have a son. And so, when you're sober, you really get to experience Christmas almost through their eyes. You experience it like a kid, you can, I don't know. I don't have kids, but I think as a parent, I think that's a really good gift to give your child too, when you're sober on Christmas, right? There's still definitely drinking, but it's not the getting shit faced kind of drinking that would happen before where it's 3:00 AM and I'm still wanting to party. Oh yeah. There was wine Christmas, actually, I missed Christmas day because I was so hung over from Christmas. 

Tracey: Wow. 

Lindsey: That was horrible. Yeah. I'll never forget that.

Kelly: Mm. Yeah. Trace, how about you? You were talking about your family events since. 

Tracey: Tonight, I was being very festive and I'm drinking eggnog, but I was saying how my old tradition used to be that I would drink eggnog and rum while I put up my Christmas tree cuz I'm putting up my Christmas tree this weekend. I'm trying to get in the fest of spirit. [00:04:00] So I do have my eggnog tonight minus the rum. And I was thinking to myself, it's so delicious. How could I have spoiled it with some rum? What was I thinking anyways? The point being that you can enjoy these things without the alcohol. And yeah, I'm looking forward to a very sober. Christmas because my family, since I stopped drinking, it's kind of been a trickle effect of most of my family stopping drinking. Which has been amazing. For family events, there's really only my brother and my sister-in-law that still drink and they really haven't been because nobody else is. it's very nice and I just feel like the whole energy is a lot. My mom's pointed this out, especially for her because she's usually hosting, right? The whole energy with family occasions now is so much calmer and there's a lot less chaos. But this will actually be, I think, the first Christmas without alcohol [00:05:00] because we still had it last Christmas. Some people in the family. So, this will be the first Christmas, really probably without it. So, it'll be really nice, and I think that we will be very present for the kids in our family too. 

Kelly: Yeah. 

Tracey: So, I'm looking forward to it. It's just so nice to wake up on Boxing Day or whenever and not be hungover, right? 

Lindsey: Yes. Mm-hmm. good and 

Tracey: feeling good. Enjoy the day and yeah.

Lindsey: And you remember everything from the night before?

Tracey: Yeah. Yeah. No, and not only that, but That's a time of year where people have time off work too, right? Mm-hmm. So, you wanna spend that time relaxing and enjoying yourself and taking advantage of the fact that you don't have to work at that particular time. Because yes, for some people it can be the only time until they take vacation that they get a little bit of downtime, 

Kelly: right. Mm-hmm. Yeah. 

Lindsey: And I just love that I can enjoy more treats. I feel like I'm not drinking two bottles of wine, so I'm like, [00:06:00] Ooh, cookies. Ooh, I'm gonna have a piece of this. I don't like, you know what I mean. Wine is just such empty calories, 

Mike: slower cookies, 

Lindsey: more cookies, like 

Mike: I speak from experience, that's all.

Lindsey: Yeah. 

Kelly: Sorry, trace. 

Tracey: All I was gonna say was I feel like in a way that food wise, I indulge less, almost not drinking. 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. 

Lindsey: Ooh, that's a good point. Mm-hmm. 

Kelly: So, Mike, how about you? How has Christmas changed for you? 

Mike: I don't know that the actual Christmas date has changed. I would spend the day with my mom and my sister and my niece and all, and we never really drank. Maybe my sister or my mom would have a glass of wine at the most, but I never drank cuz I was always like, Lindsay, I was hungover, and I'd smoke a joint to get through the day just to get through the hangover. It was Christmas Eve if I remember correctly, it was a customer appreciation day at the local watering hole so I would drink till six and then we didn't do anything as a family on [00:07:00] Christmas Eve. So, there was a tradition where a few buddies of mine, because the watering hole closed at six, we would go to the bowling alley because we knew the bowling alley was open and they served alcohol. it wasn't the last Christmas. A number of years ago there was an incident with myself and one of my buddies. There was a fight that alcohol was involved, obviously. 

Lindsey: Oh, no. 

Mike: I mean obviously it should never have come to that, but that 

Lindsey: like a physical fight.

Mike: Yep, yep. Ooh, that changed things at that time it changed things in our relationship, yeah, next day I had to go and pick him up and cuz he needed to get his car and I just, you gotta, you gotta go. I picked him up, nothing was really said, and it was, dropped him off and didn't talk to him for about three months and then kind of went from there. But always Christmas e for me, even back late teens, early twenties, there was a family that used to host the absolute gun show of parties where it was, everybody knew there was gonna be liquor flying and tons of food. We'd, I'd be there till 6, 5, [00:08:00] 6 in the morning with multiple buddies cuz it was just a party. Yeah, you crawl in, and you figure a way to get through the day and, but now there's more of a being present and not like, get me the fuck outta here. Yeah, for me anyway, cuz I used to be like, when is dessert over with and I'm gonna go, 

Lindsey: yeah. 

So, yeah, and I'm not a big Christmas guy to begin with, so I know a lot of people are, and I just kind of go with the flow. 

People who work in corporate or offices, there's no getting drunk at the office party, making an ass outta yourself and then having to face all your coworkers when you're sober. That I do not recognize. 

Kelly: May have done that in my past. 

Mike: I worked at a company where they cut off the alcohol Christmas party because it got one outta control. Got outta control. 

Lindsey: Yes. Same with the organization that I work at currently. I've never been to a Christmas party where they've served alcohol or it was part of the celebration, but it's because [00:09:00] I've heard stories about Yeah. Times when they did, and it got outta control. You know what I mean? 

Mike: Oh yeah. So, I'm sure there's a nightmare stories around corporate America 

Lindsey: for sure. Yeah. 

Mike: Many different things. 

Tracey: It's funny cuz my company's having a gala. and they're already planning. Do you wanna stay overnight if you're outta town? Which I happen to be. 

Lindsey: Wow. 

Tracey: Yeah. And I'm like, Nope, I don't need to. I don't drink 

Lindsey: Cause you're gonna drive. 

Tracey: Yeah. I'll drive home. Yeah. Everything's like, oh, you wanna drive us? I'm like, listen, no. If I was local, I would do not. 

Lindsey: You do not. 

Mike: I'll it's 50 bucks ahead and yeah. 

Kelly: Make some money. Right? 

Lindsey: Mm-hmm.

Mike: capitalism. I like it. 

Kelly: Yeah. Yeah. My Christmas has changed quite a bit. Since I drank and it was a very, very busy lots of hosting. I hosted Christmas Eve, and I hosted about two or three parties every year. Lots of [00:10:00] alcohol, lots of food. I loved it, but I hated being hungover and somebody posted on Facebook that, that has young kids that tonight's the night that they have to do that. Stupid fucking elf on the, have I talked about this on podcast? 

Lindsey: What happened to your Kelly? 

Kelly: First? All I. Ours passed away. It's too much Uh huh if nobody knows what this thing is. It's like starting December 1st. So today we're record, we're recording on November 30th is today. Yeah. But starting on December 1st, this, whoever made up this l thing to make money or whatever, genius. And then what’s that? Genius like? 

Mike: Genius. 

Kelly: A genius, but how much more pressure do moms need? Like really? And then you've gotta change this thing and make it do something funny and then the kids wake up and see that it's done something funny or whatever. 

Mike: Brilliant. 

Kelly: And drinking, I would. So, my kids would wake up in the, so my kids were [00:11:00] disappointed because of my drinking. 

Lindsey: Oh no. 

Kelly: Anyway, 

Tracey: I don't know if it's the drinking Kel I think it's just naturally you got enough going on as a parent that you forget because I would always forget to, and I'm telling you I don't wish bad things on a lot of people, but that person that invented that, I've had some bad thoughts about you . Like, I'm sorry. 

Kelly: It's terrible. 

Tracey: I just, I was so happy this year that my daughter's old enough that she is over it. I said that to my partner the other day. I'm like, thank God I don't have to do the damn Elf on the shelf. For sure couldn't. I was toweling because I saw a friend of mine posted. Facebook or Instagram saying, do they have an adult version of an Elf on the shelf that will come and clean my house and do my dishes?

Kelly: Yes, 

Tracey: please. Shelf does.

Kelly: Yeah. Yeah. But anyway, yeah, lots of hung over, Christmas Eve, we'd stay up super, super late and then do all the things that parents do for their kids and [00:12:00] mm-hmm. and I remember sitting there and it's such a happy, joyful time with little ones running around and doing the Christmas morning, but I was always hungover.

Lindsey: Mm-hmm., 

Kelly: It makes me feel gross to even talk about it, but I do love being present now. My kids are older, so it's not the quite the same, you know, excitement and stuff. I sit and have my coffee and wait for them to wake up. Aww. But yeah, it's, I love being clearheaded. Just being present. Yeah, it makes everything so much more meaningful. 

Mike: What happened to the elf? 

Kelly: Oh, if you touch it, Mike, the, the kids aren't supposed to touch this thing, so if you touch it, it doesn't come back or something. 

Lindsey: The magic is gone. 

Kelly: The magic is gone. It doesn't come back. Mm-hmm. So, my son touched it, and you're like, come back. I'm like, yes, I'm off the hook. And then this poor little boy had to deal with the disappearance of the elf being his responsibility. So, there's another reason one of my kids would probably need therapy, because, 

Lindsey: oh, for sure. That sounds like trauma. 

Kelly: [00:13:00] Elf. Yeah. 

Lindsey: Kel do you remember I don't know if it was last Christmas or the Christmas before. Where on Facebook, somebody. That we know posted their elves drunk. 

Kelly: Yes. 

Lindsey: With red wine and puking all over the place and made a comment, it wasn't a joke that was left like that while this person was clearly drinking, but for the kids to find like that the next day. Yeah. So, and I took a screenshot, and I was like, holy crap, this is not funny. 

Kelly: No. Like, no. No. Yeah, it's like we have, adults have their memes and stuff like that, that they pass around and t-shirts that they wear and that stuff. But getting the kids involved in those toxic messages, it's pretty dangerous, I think. So, if you're listening and you do have an elf on the shelf, no, 

Lindsey: don't do that. 

Kelly: No drinking elves. 

Lindsey: No drunken elves. 

Kelly: No drunken elves.

Tracey: I sent you guys those Santa hats today. 

Lindsey: Yes, yes. Tell us. 

Tracey: I [00:14:00] mean, it's not like they're in an adult section. They're shoved in with all the other Santa hats.

Lindsey: What did it say?

Tracey: So, one said, home is where the wine is, or something like that. Yes. And the other one said, peace, love wine. Yeah. Like

Lindsey: Oh boy. 

Kelly: And like, you know, I get so. Fired up when I see that stuff. But I was sending that stuff like I would, I know 

Lindsey: me too. I would've laugh to my off for, or 

Kelly: I don't think I'm better than anybody else. 

Tracey: I think it's just awareness after the fact, right? Yes. 

Kelly: Awareness. 

Tracey: You like same thing I actually probably had a visual of myself or someone I know with wearing a hat on their head and a big fat glass of wine. Okay. Because right there was a time.

Kelly: Yeah. 

Tracey: But at the same time, I think just the awareness now it makes those things stand out so much more, right? 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. 

something else that I've been thinking a lot about lately, and I would like to bring an awareness to it is giving wine as gifts. [00:15:00] It's like a tradition, right? It's a common thing that you can do. But there's people that are giving it to teachers as hostess gifts in situations where they may not know. What that person's relationship is with alcohol. So, I really wish people would stop doing it because you just never know if somebody, Linds you, what made me think of that again was when you said somebody gave you a bottle of wine when you were trying to quit.

Lindsey: Oh, for sure. 

Kelly: You just never know if somebody's struggling or not, so, yeah. What do you guys think of that? 

Tracey: Yeah, it's funny. That's what I was gonna say, Kel. Like why make the assumption everybody drinks mm-hmm., even if they're not struggling, they might not be a drinker, so, but you give somebody pack bottle, 

Lindsey: Like here's a teacher gift, a pack of smokes. Like, okay, let's compare it. Right? 

Tracey: And not everybody its things is gonna think that's a good gift. 

Lindsey: No. 

Tracey: And likelihood is if they don't drink, they're gonna pass it along to someone else.

Lindsey: Yeah. 

Kelly: Or what if they have it sitting on their counter? and they have a [00:16:00] weak moment and they crack it open and they crack it open.

Tracey: Yeah, for sure. 

Mm-hmm., that can happen too. It's just thought of something more practical, right? 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, 

Tracey: yeah. So, I was saying before we started recording, I intentionally wore this shirt tonight that says, eat, drink and be merry with all my festivities this evening. Mm-hmm. And I was saying like, even while I put the shirt on, my thought directly went to and connected to the drinking portion being alcohol and I was curious or thought it was a good kind of topic to say like, why does it have to be alcohol? Why would that be the assumption? And is the assumption that we have to be drinking alcohol to be Merry? 

Lindsey: Hmm. I think right away it's about alcohol. because it's like, what are you talking about? A glass of milk. You know what I mean? No, it's definitely referring to alcohol, I think. 

Tracey: Yeah. But I guess my thought is [00:17:00] why, why does it have to be alcohol? Mm-hmm., right? We drink lots of other things. Yeah. Why does the association have to be with alcohol?

Mike: It's all marketing. It's all normalizing things. Mm-hmm., it's with the whole 

Lindsey: normalizing things. Bingo, 

Mike: normalizing all this shit. Mm-hmm. for money. 

Lindsey: Well, it's normalizing. Self-medicating cuz you even eat, like, eat there's so many people that struggle with overeating and have a relationship with food that isn't healthy either. Eat, drink and be merry is like, okay, eat and drink your heart out and you'll be happy. I don't, 

I don’t know. 

Kelly: Yeah. It's like thinking about what my Christmases were like before, it was very self-indulgent. My whole life was for sure self-indulgent, and I thought that was it. I'm like, I'm living the dream. Just super self-indulgent, no self-discipline at all. And that's just not, that's not it. 

Tracey: That's a good point. Really good point. Speaking of which, sorry, I'm gonna jump to a different topic now. Okay. Just to kind of recap [00:18:00] and speak to the wonderful guests we've had so far this season.

Kelly: I've got them. Are we gonna go in order? I pulled them up here. 

Tracey: We can. So actually, because this was gonna be about Matt 

Lindsey: Oh yes. 

Tracey: Was our first guest this season. So far, we have had five amazing guests. And Matt, did any of you watch the documentary that he recommended? 

Kelly: Yes. 

Mike: Finding Joe. You did Kel okay. 

Yeah.

Tracey: So, me and my partner watched that last night and you made me think of it and what you were just saying because there was a part of that where they were talking about how basically doing self-indulgent things or seeking pleasure is not a way to find yourself basically, right? Mm-hmm.

And it made for a really interesting conversation with my partner, and I was glad he watched it with me because he's going through a whole transition himself, in the sense that he's really trying to discover what his passion [00:19:00] is and he's doing a lot of kind of self discovery and growth right now.

Kelly: Mm-hmm. 

Tracey: So, it made him ask a lot of questions and left him with a lot of questions kind of for himself, which I thought was interesting. But I found it very relatable to certain parts of my life and definitely my giving up alcohol journey. Mm-hmm. Just how they were talking about reinventing yourself or kind of rediscovering parts of yourself from your past.

Kelly: Sure.

Tracey: How we lose ourselves and stuff like that, but also even how society confines us in a box kind of thing and restricts us to doing certain things or having certain expectations for us, like our parents, our school, everything going to work. There are all these expectations laid out for us throughout life and we think we have to live within those. We've talked about this before and I can't think word right now. Thank you, Mike, but I was thinking, what are they called? [00:20:00] What are those things called? School work. They're called 

Kelly: Systems. 

Mike: Systems, sure. Something like that. Yeah. I can't think of the word. 

Kelly: Scattegories Turned Yeah. Into charades. 

Tracey: Yeah. So anyways, I just thought it was really interesting. I'm glad Matt recommended that that was cool. 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. It was really good. They hear it and then they talk about the hero’s journey and yeah. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of people are going through those types of things right now that, I know. If it could sum up my year this year, that's, it was going into my past a lot. Stuff that I was not brave enough to look. Before, and I think that's a lot of people are being called to do that. Like you said, Randy, the soul searching and asking questions and yeah. Yeah. That's a really good, what's it called again? Finding Joe?

Tracey: Finding Joe. Yeah. 

Kelly: Yeah. It's really good.

Tracey: And it's about the hero's journey, but yeah, and just even how they say a part of yourself almost has to die to reinvent yourself, [00:21:00] right?

Kelly: I don't even think it's almost; I think it does. 

Lindsey: Has to. 

Tracey: Yeah. Yeah. Yes. And to the fact that certain traumas or bad things that happen in your life, like whether it be a death, a loss of a job, or whatever. Those things too, how they force you to reinvent yourself and re-evaluate your life. Mm-hmm. And sometimes those horrible things that happen to us push us into a way better life. 

Kelly: You gotta go into the dark part first. Looking at how awful it was 

Lindsey: I feel like too, that's how, depending on what you believe in, I believe in God. But that's how, if I was to say it from my belief point of view, that's how God gets you to move. Like if you're gonna stay in the same shitty situation, how do I say? People would rather deal with old problems than find new solutions cuz it's comfortable. Right? 

Kelly: Right. 

Lindsey: Sometimes things have to get so bad for you to make a move. 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. 

Lindsey: and that's how you [00:22:00] transition. Yeah. So yeah, you're right. Part of you, there has to die. That can't go with you, you've gotta change. 

Tracey: Mm-hmm. 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. Yeah. And it's never too late to look at that stuff. 

Lindsey: Mm-hmm. 

Kelly: ever. 

Tracey: If any of you haven't watched it, I would recommend it. 

Lindsey: I haven't, no. Cuz I think I was away. I don't think I was on that episode. I had to; I think I was traveling. 

Tracey: Oh, right, you were Linds that's right. 

Kelly: Yeah, it's on YouTube, right? 

Tracey: It's on YouTube. Straight on YouTube finding Joe.

Lindsey: And Joe is j o e, like the name? 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. 

Tracey: And it's a documentary, so I think it says, 

Lindsey: oh, sweet 

Tracey: documentary or full movie or something like that.

Lindsey: Okay, perfect. 

Tracey: Yeah, it's about an hour, 20 minutes long. 

Kelly: Matt was it. 

Tracey: Yeah. Speaking of what, tell our listeners you went on his podcast. 

Kelly: Yes, I did. I recorded it a couple weeks ago and I'm not sure when it's gonna air sometime in December, but I will for sure put it up on Instagram. But yeah, 

Lindsey: it's awesome.

Kelly: Matt, Matt's a [00:23:00] great guy. He's doing some really great work in the recovery community. Yeah, so he's episode two, season two. So, you can check out our show notes on him. And then our next guest this season was Jamie. 

Tracey: Yes, 

Lindsey: that was a, a good one. Mm-hmm. 

Tracey: That was a good one too. 

Lindsey: Yeah, that was a good one. 

Tracey: Jamie was really so raw and honest.

Lindsey: Mm-hmm., 

Tracey: I just wanted to hug him. 

Kelly: Yeah. He's a hugger. Trace. He would love to hug you. 

Lindsey: Yeah. Aw, 

Tracey: I really wanted to hug his inner child for sure. 

Kelly: Yes. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. He's a good one. And then, oh my gosh, I will never, ever, ever forget Martin. 

Tracey: Oh my gosh. Yeah. Martin, yeah. 

Kelly: Incredible story.

Tracey: I think Martin had all of us on the edge of our seats and in tears.

Kelly: Mm-hmm., yeah. Mm-hmm. 

Tracey: That was a powerful transformation. 

Kelly: Yeah. Yeah. And he's also doing some really important work. He was episode six this [00:24:00] season. 

Tracey: Yeah. 

Kelly: And then we had our friend Steve McDonald. 

Lindsey: Mm. Yes. 

Tracey: Steve was just, he reminded me of my dad. 

Kelly: Really. Aww. 

Tracey: Yeah. He really did. Just to like how his personality was very kind of the way he told his story. 

Lindsey: Yeah.

Tracey: My dad was a big storyteller, the way he talked about the guys in recovery. 

Lindsey: Yeah. 

Tracey: He just seemed like a simple guy. Right. That was my dad. And my dad would've expressed like his experiences very similarly. So, to me that episode was very heartwarming.

Lindsey: Yeah. 

Kelly: Yeah. Heartwarming. That's a really good way to put it, Trace mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. loved his poem that he read out. 

Lindsey: I was gonna say the poem. 

Kelly: Yeah. I can't wait to read his book. Yeah. 

Lindsey: Right. Yes. 

Kelly: And then our most recent episode, probably the most I would say relatable, similar story to mine, I felt like when I was listening to her was Kim Kearns.

Mm-hmm. 

Lindsey: Yeah. Wow.

Kelly: It was really [00:25:00] good. 

Tracey: Yeah. And her, I really wanna read her book, so mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. I'm waiting for it on audio, but I'll definitely check it out when it's released. I think that's in December she said. Mm-hmm. But yeah, she's on Instagram, anybody that wants to connect with her can find her.

Kelly: Yeah. Just so honest about and she really painted the picture really well about having that picture perfect life. 

Lindsey: The facade. Yes. 

Kelly: The facade of her husband's a lawyer and they had, three kids and doing all the things and yeah. 

Lindsey: Just dying inside. 

Kelly: And dying inside. I could definitely relate to that.

Lindsey: Ooh, yeah. That was a good one. Mm-hmm. 

Tracey: Yeah. And the mommy wine culture, she spoke to that too, and 

Kelly: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So yeah, thanks. So thankful for our guests. We've already got some guests lined up for 

Tracey: Yeah, we got some great guests lined for the second half of the season too. Mm-hmm. Yeah. 

Lindsey: Well, when are we starting back up again, guys?

Tracey: We're starting in February. [00:26:00] February of February. Mm-hmm. So just breaking for Christmas and New Year's. 

Lindsey: Sweet. 

Kelly: Yeah. So, what are some tips that you guys would share with somebody who's newly alcohol free? So, they've decided to go alcohol free, and here come the holidays. There's possibly some anxiety, how am I gonna do this? Am I even gonna be fun? Can I even go what would you. 

Lindsey: Okay, bring your own drinks. Mm-hmm., wherever you go. Bring your own non-alcoholic beverages. There are so many, even at wine stores, they actually have a non-alcoholic section on some of the wine stores now, or bubbly water or kombucha or have a virgin Caesar and leave. That's my other thing. If it gets overwhelming and you're feeling that anxiety and you feel that people are looking at you funny probably not, but if it gets overwhelming [00:27:00] for you, you don't have to stay in a situation where you feel triggered, especially when you're first starting out and you're making a big change like this. bring your own drinks. and don't be afraid to remove yourself from the situation, even if you have to step outside and get some fresh air and come back in. Or if you just have to say, you know what guys, I gotta go. It's okay. 

Kelly: Yeah. Mm-hmm.,

Lindsey: just don't give a crap what everybody else says or thinks. This is about you. This is honestly a sober Christmas is literally, I just think it's the best gift you can give yourself. 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. Awesome. Mike, what about you? What would you say, 

Mike: What would I do? 

Kelly: What advice would you give to somebody? 

Mike: I guess I most importantly listen to in my inner voice and what's it telling me? Cuz, I think you need to decipher between anxiety and what you're trying to learn about yourself. Mm-hmm. And that can take time. it can Sure. Us how take a lot more. A lot longer than a month. For some, it could take three months a year, but it could take a month and say for some other people and say, you know, I'm ready to go test [00:28:00] myself. And like Lindsay said, figure out if you're being triggered or whatever you wanna call it, then leave and don't worry about what anybody thinks. Yeah. I think I'd also try to, if you're not this type of person, but try to engage in, in conversation because the more that you're there and engaging with people, the time passes by and you don't always have that opportunity for someone to say, hey, you need a drink? Hey, you need a drink? Hey, where's your drink? Like Lindsay said, bring a drink. if you have something in your hand. I think we'd all agree that hosts are just trying to be hospitable, and they don't want someone to not have food or drink. So, their natural thing is, do you need a drink? It doesn't necessarily mean an alcoholic drink. And I've been to situations where it's like, what can I get you to drink and say, oh, you got any water, or something else. And it's like, oh, you don't want a beer? And like, no, no, I'm good. I'm not drinking. Oh. And you just kind of go with it. And I don't know, I'm surprised every time when, when someone says, oh, you don't drink, and it's like, no. Oh no, I haven't had a drink in a couple years. What good for you. And it, it just, [00:29:00] what the fuck does that mean good for you? Is that their way of being I wanna be you in some regards, but I don't have the power or willpower to

Kelly: Yeah. I feel like it's like, I could never do that. 

Mike: Yeah. Mm-hmm. So, but to answer your question, I think stay busy. 

Lindsey: Well, that's a good one. 

Mike: Maybe at gathering. 

Lindsey: Yeah, that's a good one. It'd, I like that. Have something in your hand because if you don't have empty hands, then people aren't gonna be like, oh, do you need a drink?

Mike: Or just sitting there like a wallflower and just kind of observing your minds. Just go to have a drink right now. I mean, it might, it might. It just, it might do that. So that's good. Yeah. 

Kelly: Good advice. Tracey, what's your advice? 

Tracey: Well, I wouldn't agree with Lindsay, be prepared, like anything else. So, bring your own drinks, drive, maybe offer, that's a good drive. Other people, because then you have a purpose there and a reason. There's lots of check checks do not talk out, to not drink. You can say, well, I decided to be the designated DD tonight. I'll [00:30:00] make sure everybody else gets home safe. Go into it like it's a test or an experiment, right? See how you can engage differently with people and what you're getting out of it. And focus on the fact that you're gonna be able to be really present, like Mike said, have conversations with people, make sure you're engaging in conversation. And I agree, if you get to a point where you're not comfortable or you're feeling triggered, leave. But I think you're less likely to feel that way if you really try to be in the moment and focus on the people that are there. Having conversations and realizing too and telling yourself many times before you go into those situations that people don't give a shit what you're doing.

Kelly: That's true. 

Tracey: Know that you're doing your thing and you're doing you, and nobody else is gonna care that you're drinking or whatever. So, try not to overthink it. And just go in with the attitude of, I'm gonna have a good time. I'm gonna feel good about [00:31:00] this decision. it will all be good and maybe even taken it as an opportunity to share with other people that you're not drinking, and this is something you're trying and have those conversations and you might inspire someone else.

Kelly: Love it. Love it. Yeah. All of that. Also, you don't have to go to everything. 

Mike: Yeah. 

Lindsey: I love that. That's the best. That is the best piece of advice is that right there. You do not have to go to everything. 

Kelly: Yeah. That was definitely something for me in the early days. Now I quit in February, so by Christmas I was okay, but in the early days I did miss. I didn't go to stuff. Were some people pissed off that I didn't go? Maybe Did I care? No, my sobriety was more important than people pleasing. And I think that has honestly taught me just by practicing that has taught me in general, in life. I don't do a lot of things out of obligation., it's pretty freeing. Yeah. Practice saying I'm not drinking. It's not a lie if you're new and you haven't told everybody that you've quit for good or [00:32:00] whatever. You don't have to say I'm doing dry this, I'm on medication. There are all those tips out there. I don't necessarily like lying, right? Yeah. Do what you gotta do to, feel good about it. But if you say, I'm not drinking tonight, that's all you have to say. There doesn't have to be any other explanation with it. And I'd be really surprised if somebody, dug into that. Why. Yeah. Yeah. I'd be surprised. And if you are new and, not everybody knows that you've, quit for good. I think having a buddy that does know is a good idea. If you're with a partner or a date or whatever, and just saying I feel a little bit nervous. This is my first event without alcohol. I'm happy that you're with me. They've got your back and they're with you. But yes, always bring your own drinks. I love that. And driving, so you can leave whenever you want. 

Lindsey: That's a good one. The driving thing, I didn't think of that, but it's mm-hmm. This time of year, there are a lot of check stops out. Mm-hmm., they're looking for impaired drivers. Right. So, yeah. When you say you're driving, that's a serious thing. No, I do not drink and [00:33:00] drive. Mm-hmm., I think too I can't remember where I saw this. I think it might have been something on Instagram when somebody asks you an uncomfortable question. Mm-hmm., especially around this time of year, holiday gatherings, the US just had things, or Thanksgiving and Christmas and people ask the stupidest things and it's so inappropriate. And if you feel like someone's really pressing you about why you're not drinking, one thing you can do to take your power back in a conversation is question their question. Why do you wanna know that? Or why do you, why do you ask me that? When someone's like, well, why aren't you drinking? When you say something like, I decided I'm not drinking tonight. Well, why aren't you drinking tonight? Well, why do you wanna know that? 

Kelly: Yeah, that's good. 

Lindsey: And now it's on them. Yeah. So just, yeah, if you ever feel like you're being confronted, with a question or it's making you feel uncomfortable question the questioner. Why do you wanna know that? Why do you ask? 

Kelly: Yeah, that's really good. I just thought of something else too that I realized I did, and I forgot, was [00:34:00] drink virgin drinks. I was in situations where the people didn't know that I had quit. Yeah. And I drank virgin drinks. I did that when I was pregnant too, yeah. Make it look like a cocktail and walk around for sure. Yeah. Nobody knows. And if we do have a lot of listeners that do listen and they don't have an intention to quit drinking, they're listening cuz they're friends and fans. The podcast, if you do drink, do not drink and drive. There are so many other options. Uber's amazing in Winnipeg. Here we have a thing called Operation Red Nose. Oh, yes. Where it's a volunteer. You guys probably have something like that too. They'll come and they'll take your you home with your car. Mm-hmm., yes, they have your car home, but like, no matter what, don't drink and drive. Listen to Martin's episode. You will never drink and drive again. Yeah. Yeah. 

Yeah. 

Tracey: The other thing I wanna mention is that if you're not ready to do this during the holidays or it seems daunting but you're thinking about it, then consider a dry January. There are tons of promotion for dry [00:35:00] January after the holidays. And you always have the opportunity then, and you have the opportunity to start the new year on a new foot, so to speak. And give it a world then, or you can look at it a different way and think that the holidays are a good time to put this into practice and put yourself in situations because there is a lot of socializing where you can test the whole not drinking thing. Even try testing out maybe a couple of the things you have planned, do a couple of them sober, mm-hmm. And then if there's other ones where you wanna have a couple drinks, then, try to balance it out. So maybe you're just not drinking that much or as much as you might normally. 

Mike: Yeah. I got one thing to add, Kelly, you said I don't know if it was verbatim, but something to the effect of when somebody questions you and you feel like I'm doing this forever type of scenario. Mm-hmm., and it kinda plays off of what Tracey's saying. It's like by testing yourself, you could say, no, I'm not drinking. I'm trying to check out what my life's gonna be like without alcohol like that. If [00:36:00] you do go back to drinking, at least you're gaining the strength, like working out, you're, you're starting this. I know for me, I tried it a few times until it really connected, so 

Kelly: Yeah. Yeah. But we don't need to explain ourselves to everybody too. If it was a close friend or something. Yeah. But it was just an acquaintance at a party. I don't feel like we need to explain ourselves to people. I don't know. 

Mike: No, I agree. I was more along the lines of what the self is telling you and mm-hmm., if you get anxious and you say, oh no, I'm quitting drinking for good. And then say you're there and you feel like, oh my God, I've lied to this person because I told, that's kind of what I'm alluding to. It's like hard yourself. You'll get to the point where your strength is there, and you've decided that this is what I'm doing for me right now. I mean, like, 

Kelly: yeah, just say I don't drink. 

Mike: That's right. We had Guests I don't remember her name and I apologize, but it was the woman who she had quit for three years, had children.

Kelly: Kelly? 

Mike: No. 

Kelly: Is that Kelly? 

Mike: [00:37:00] Kelly? Yes. Kelly. I thought you said Ellie. Cuz there was an Ellie too that was. But yeah, Kelly had done that and some people that's maybe what they have to do in their life at that certain point in time to make that shift. And it kind of goes back to what Lindsay was saying about. Her relationship with God and how she feels that she's being led or being guided down some sort of path, journey, whatever you want to call it. And I can relate to that in saying I feel like we're all connected in an energetic sense. So, if your energy's telling you like, hey, I need to take a break from alcohol, from drugs, from gambling, from sex. Well, maybe not sex, but food, Sorry, 

Kelly: don't do that, 

Mike: so, you know where I'm going with this. Don't put the pressure on yourself, it's really bloody hard and no one's perfect at it. Just try to be in the moment of this is who I am right now, and this is, this is what I gotta do for me. And if something changes, it changes, and then you can embrace it more and be [00:38:00] accepting of the changes you're making.

Kelly: Yeah, I love that. 

Tracey: Yeah, for sure. Don't put the pressure on yourself to go into it, that it has to be forever permanent. Mm-hmm., depending on where your relationship with alcohol is. Right. 

Kelly: Some people need to stay forever. I knew right. Say forever. I definitely needed to say forever. There was no way I could say like, I'm just doing a dry January. 

Tracey: That's why I'm saying, depending on your relationship with alcohol. Right? Yes. I mean, me, Mike, and Lindsay all went into it with, I don't feel like I should right now, and I don't know if it's forever now. During the course of the time we've been not drinking, that's changed for all of us.

Kelly: Mm-hmm. 

Tracey: We had to get through those initial stages first. So that's what I'm saying, for some people that just feel like they need to give it a break or whatnot they feel like maybe their drinking's getting a little away from them or they're drinking more the normal mm-hmm. , you know, go [00:39:00] into it that, see how you feel and then it could just turn out that you decide to make that decision permanently because, you know, once you stop, we all know that people are gonna feel so much better.

Kelly: Yes. I've never met somebody who's regretted quitting drinking. Yeah. What did you say there, Mike? I didn't hear you.

Mike: I just said that their life is, calling for a break to figure what the hell's going on. I know for me, 

Lindsey: recalibrate. 

Mike: Yeah. You got a great, great analogy recalibrate. I know for me it's. We talked about this over the two years, the trauma, the unresolved issues with childhood and all these things as you go along your life, add to your bad pun, but picture and it's filling over. Mm-hmm. but stopping something like alcohol or stopping something that's an outlet for you to get away from those things that you're not dealing with. It's not for everybody. We get it. Some people, like we've just hit on, some people need to take a [00:40:00] break and you determine what the break is. Maybe it's forever. Maybe it's for a year, maybe it's for a month. The point is, I think we all hit on what our lives have been like living in. Sober state and the things we discovered about ourselves that we probably never would've discovered in an alcohol induced lifestyle that we live. I know for sure. No way. 

Kelly: No way for me to, 

Mike: no way. 

Lindsey: That's bang on, and you know what, I don't think I ever would've quit if I started out and said to myself, this is forever. Because that, to me is super intimidating. Yeah. So, I'm like, oh, okay, here we go. I'm gonna try 30 days. 

Kelly: I remember that Lindsay, I remember you told me you were doing a dry, it was a dry January, right? Dry January? 

Lindsey: I think so, yeah. And I don't think I would, if I started out and said, that's it. I quit alcohol for life. I'm never gonna touch it again. I don't know if I. Would've made it this far. And of course, as you go along, things start to change. [00:41:00] Your mind gets clearer, different things become priority. You start to figure things out and deal with things and the other thing too, while we were talking about tips to get through the holidays, if you're listening, cuz like you said Kelly, not all of our listeners are sober. But if somebody responds to you saying they don't drink, just make sure you have mocktails or other alcohol-free things to offer and don't question people like Cool. What can I get you? Did you need anything right now? I've got this and this. And I didn't have that clarity because I was the asshole when someone said they didn't wanna drink. Really? Yeah. Right. Oh, hey look. Yeah. And I would. 

Kelly: Oh my gosh. Yeah. And I'm gonna compare this to and bring it back to how you're saying people ask the stupidest questions is when people would ask me when I was gonna have another baby.

Lindsey: Oh.

Kelly: And, and I was, and I'm sure you could relate, and I wasn't able to. 

Lindsey: I get that all daytime to [00:42:00] 40. Yeah. And I don't have kids. And I would get. My friend's parents asking me and I'm like, number one, that's none of your damn business. Number two, that's wildly inappropriate. 

Kelly: Right. Well, what I was gonna say about that is that people are asking me this question and deep down I am like devastated, but I can't get pregnant for sure. So, it's the same thing with drinking. People are like, why are you drinking? Why are you drinking? This person could be really, really struggling with their relationship with alcohol. So, I think people just need to take a step back and maybe not ask personal questions. 

Lindsey: That's right. 

Mike: Their hidden Superman shirt or superwoman shirt and say, fuck you mind your business. You know, like that's me, 

Kelly: I know 

Mike: business, but not everybody can do it like that. And I think 

Lindsey: just pull out like a little card from your pocket and just hand it to them and it says, fuck you, mind your business. 

Kelly: Well, I had a good response too, like somebody told [00:43:00] me once, when somebody asks, when somebody would ask me that. Yours was much more polite to say why do you wanna know that? But saying, I can't believe you just asked me that. 

Lindsey: Yeah, that's, you know what I've heard that that is actually, that was one of the other things I can't believe you just asked me that. That puts it back on them. But it's like, seriously, that's kind of what you have to do to take your power back in that conversation. I've been asked questions and I've felt extremely triggered. I'm gonna be on the edge of I'm gonna burst into tears kind of triggered, but just having that quick response, I can't believe you just asked me that. And then just stay silent and see what happens next. And now it's on them. Yeah. Or why do you wanna know that? 

Kelly: Yeah. 

Mike: That's part. And then it's getting silent part, right? That's where people, 

Lindsey: that's true. 

Mike: Whole fucking wheels go, oh my God, I gotta say the right thing. It's like, no, you gotta get in the mode of. Like you said earlier, Kelly, it doesn't fuck matter what anybody thinks. It's about what you think about yourself. Yes. And when you get to [00:44:00] that good feeling spot Superman or Superwoman or it comes. 

Kelly: Yeah. 

Mike: And you probably have never discovered that about yourself. 

Kelly: Yeah.

Lindsey: If I was still drinking, I wouldn't have been able to have the, I wouldn't have been able to, how do I say it? Have that clarity 

Kelly: Yeah. 

Lindsey: About this situation or about not owing people an explanation. 

Kelly: Right. It gives you confidence. It's a fucking superpower. Not drinking gives you superpowers. It does. Telling you Yes. Everybody listens. 

Tracey: Yeah. No, it gives you confidence for sure. Kel. Yes. That's a really good way to describe it.

Mike: Just say and do what you want. Water off a doc's back. 

Kelly: Yeah. It won't bother you cause you're not, 

Mike: they're not gonna remember. Oh my God. Do you remember December 23rd at Kelly's party in 20, 22, 8 years down the road? No. Fuck. They don't even know what happened fucking three years ago. No. Right. Are we living in this world of, well, let's go [00:45:00] back and remember what happened three years ago. Oh my God,

Kelly: I don't even remember what I made for dinner last night. Know I don't do dinner. God, 

Mike: that's where we cause our own anxiety. We cause all this bullshit in our head. Mm-hmm. Think, oh my God, they're gonna remember this a year, two, six, whatever it is. Yeah, they're gonna judge me. 

Kelly: But that fear was real. I'm sure you guys relate too. That fear was so real for me when I was getting to the end of my drinking career and thinking about these social situations like we're talking about tonight, and thinking I was going to have to explain my myself to people. I just, I really had this like major fear of judgment of not being accepted, all of it. So, anybody 

Lindsey: made me not wanna go. I would wanna cancel. I did cancel. I did not show up just cuz I didn't wanna deal with it. 

Kelly: And then we did deal with it, and then we learned that people don't care. They're not gonna ask as many questions as we think they're gonna ask. 

Tracey: [00:46:00] Don't you think that's anxiety based though?

Lindsey: Yes. 

Tracey: Like, because 

Lindsey: Very much so. 

Kelly: Yeah. For sure.

Tracey: Again, I think is driven by the alcohol. 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. Hmm., 

Tracey: I have never cared so little about what people think.? Yeah. Since I stopped drinking. 

Kelly: I know. Same.

Lindsey: I love it. 

Kelly: I think it's age too. Age and no alcohol. Yeah. 

Tracey: Yeah. And I think, again, it's awareness. Becoming aware of the fact that literally people are too busy worrying about themselves and what they think other people are gonna think to give a shit about what you're doing. People are so. 

Kelly: Self-absorbed. 

Tracey: Self-absorbed. 

Kelly: Is that what you were gonna say? 

Tracey: Yes, exactly. But they don't give a shit about what you're doing. 

Kelly: That's true. 

Tracey: So, the sooner you realize that the freer you will be 

Kelly: beautifully, I, 

Lindsey: it's like so superficial. I think it's the easy thing to say in a social setting. When somebody is doing something different than the norm, like not drinking, that's [00:47:00] the easy thing to say. Oh, why not? I don't know somebody who's drinking and is gonna ask you why you're not. It's like, okay, well I can think of so many other things that you could've asked me or said to me to connect with me, but you're not wanting to connect with me. I don't know. It's a very superficial thing to say. 

Mike: They're nervous. I think in that situation they're nervous too. Yeah. Yeah. 

Tracey: You say, do you really wanna. 

Yeah. Are you ready for this? I'll tell you. Really wanna know? 

Kelly: I have for sure done that too. Like overshared. That's good. Actually, I really struggled with alcohol. I was addicted and my life was in chaos. And then they're like, oh geez. Then they're like the sorry they asked you; I'm going over here to talk to Philly. I need you to go to the bathroom. And then you never see them again. 

Tracey: Yeah. Quick exit left. 

Mike: I don't know, it's more of a comment. I just thought of this as you girls were talking. So, what about the times? Maybe not so much Kelly, cuz you were involved when you were [00:48:00] married, but like connecting or hooking up with people in a drunken state that you probably shouldn't ever have ever entertained. More specifically around the holidays cuz that's what the theme's based on. Cause it's like, I don't wanna be alone at Christmas.

Lindsey: Oh. And it's like, nice. I say that all, 

Mike: don't think that part of the problem with alcohol, I know for me for sure at certain points it was, is that being alone sure can suck, especially when you are fucking drink. Cuz, you get into this poor me mentality and then you just go and hook up with the wrong person. It's like a cycle. It's a never-ending cycle. And it's like you never get to break free of those types of people, if you will. And start on self-discovery and then aligning with the right person potentially. 

Lindsey: Mm. Yeah. That's really good. You know, yeah. I'm single and I actually just said to my sisters, this is gonna be my sixth Christmas in a row and I don't have a boyfriend. And I get all [00:49:00] sad about it, but I used to drink wine and being even more sad about it, yeah. I can definitely relate to what you're saying. 

Tracey: Don't you find the dating ramping up Linds with all the people that don't wanna be single Chris? 

Lindsey: No, I have totally backed off. I'm like, no, I am not participating in that gong show during this time of year. No, thank you. I will be. 

Tracey: But see, if you were drinking, you probably wouldn't. Oh. Cause I know, yeah, I know. That happened when I was skating, and I was drinking. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Come Christmas time. Dating would ramp up 

Kelly: really 

Mike: Lonely not or easy, 

Kelly: I don't think. I don't think I have another online dating stint in me, but this will be, yeah. Christmas number four. Single. Yeah, I don't love it, but then I think that's another thing that I've been looking at digging a little deeper into mm-hmm. It's just a day. My kids leave at noon on Christmas day, and [00:50:00] the first Christmas single, I was in my bathroom crying at 10:00 AM Oh. Before they were even gone. So, it has gotten a little easier every year, why are we lonely at Christmas? It's Christmas. It's 

Lindsey: because of the Hallmark Christmas movies. 

Kelly: Exactly. It's part of our conditioning. Conditioning. Right. For sure. 

Tracey: Marketing 

Kelly: it is. I'm like, why am I sad? It's just a day. I just had a really good night and morning with my kids. So, I'm gonna watch some movies by myself. What's the big deal?

Lindsey: Why are alcohol sales through the roof around this time of year? Right. Because people are sad for real. People are really sad this time of year. Mm-hmm., we've gotta just, I don't know, be more mindful of that too. 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. Be kind to everybody around 

Lindsey: us be kind to everybody. It's a really triggering time of year for people and there's a lot of self-medicating going on. So, but it's all just, like you said, it's the conditioning of this holiday, this one day. 

Kelly: Mm-hmm. 

Lindsey: Yeah. 

Mike: Well, is it one day or is [00:51:00] it two weeks? Right, yeah. Like for me around university was like two weeks of every night drinking wow, this is gonna be amazing. And it probably was, but it's not all what it's cracked up to be, 

Kelly: but yeah, question those things. when I said, you don't have to go to everything, question this stuff that if it's not stuff that you love doing, change things up, make new traditions, do what you wanna do. Make it happy for yourself. 

Mike: Well, I think that the generation, like the 20 somethings now, they don't drink to the near Like not even close to what our generation would've, and No.

Kelly: Nope. 

Mike: I have a young guy that works for me, and we talk about it and he's like, I don't even, I drink like twice a week if I'm lucky. Maybe once. And he is like, I don't hangover. Is it? It sucks. And yeah, but he, he says, I don't like spending the money. Mm-hmm. S like, dude, good for you. Cause I could tell you stories of many guys I know that could have had their mortgages paid off a long time ago, didn't drink. Mm-hmm., [00:52:00] right? Yeah. yeah. It's insane. 

Tracey: Well, the holidays will be a lot cheaper for all of us. No alcohol. That's right. More money on present. 

Kelly: That's right for me. 

Tracey: Treat yourself to, 

Lindsey: or myself,

Kelly: if you, for myself, if you gotta be by yourself and maybe a vacation 

Tracey: special treatment. 

Lindsey: Yeah, 

Tracey: yeah, yeah. Extra presents for ourselves.

Kelly: That's right. Mm-hmm. Well, this was really good you guys. I think our listeners will have some tips that will help get them through the holidays,

Lindsey: we'll be back in February. 

Kelly: Yeah. We'll be back in February. We're gonna have a little break. In the meantime, Lindsay and Mike are both gonna celebrate their three years. Yeah. Which is incredible. Congratulations. Yeah. 

Lindsey: Thank you. 

Tracey: Awesome. 

Kelly: You can find us on Instagram at LAF Life Podcast in our Facebook community. Links to our bio and our Facebook community are in the show notes. If you'd like to be a guest on the show, there's also a link in our show notes. [00:53:00] We would love to have you. On that note, happy holidays and keep laughing everybody. 

Good night. 

Mike: Merry Christmas. 

Kelly: Merry, Merry Christmas. 

Lindsey: Don't drink and drive.

Tracey: Merry Christmas. 

 

Closing

Kelly: Thank you for listening. Please give us a five-star rating like and subscribe, share on social media, and tell your friends. We love getting your feedback and ideas of what you'd like to hear on upcoming episodes of the laugh life podcast. If you yourself are living alcohol free and want to share your story here, please reach out.