81. Setting Boundaries on your Alcohol-Free Journey with Casey Davidson

Are you navigating the complexities of high achievement while silently battling with alcohol? Well, let me tell you. You have an immense power within you to take back control and transform your life.

In today’s episode, Casey Davidson shares her journey from alcohol dependence to a vibrant, alcohol-free life. Her story is a beacon of hope, proving that it's possible to break free and embrace a future filled with unbounded potential. 

Casey is a life and sobriety Coach who has helped thousands of women change their relationship with alcohol. She’s the host of the Top 100 Mental Health Podcast The Hello Someday Podcast for Sober Curious Women. As an ex-red wine girl who spent 20 years climbing the corporate ladder while holding on tightly to her love of red wine, Casey is passionate about helping busy women stop drinking and create lives they love without alcohol. 

[00:00 - 11:52] College Life, Early Drinking Habits, and the Journey to Sobriety

• Casey discusses her transition from being a high-achieving individual with a dependence on alcohol to becoming alcohol-free.
• Casey shares her experiences of drinking in college and how it initially helped with her perfectionism and social anxieties.
• After becoming a mother, Casey’s concern over her drinking grew.
• She describes her initial efforts at moderation, seeking therapy, and her experiences with different support systems.
• A deep dive into how alcohol became intertwined with Casey’s struggles in managing work-life balance and personal relationships.

[11:52 - 25:09] Quitting Alcohol to Improve Your Life

• Witnessing others' sober lives provided a stark contrast to Casey’s, fueling her decision to pursue sobriety.
• Alcohol often masks deeper issues.
• Gratitude has a huge role in Casey’s journey and it helped her shift her perspective.
• Casey discusses how being sober allowed for better handling of unexpected situations and being more self-compassionate in dealing with mistakes.

[25:09 - 34:18] The Impact of Alcohol on Overachievers and People Pleasers

• Casey explores the link between being a people pleaser and having a problematic relationship with alcohol.
• She shares her struggles with being an overachiever and people pleaser, and how this affected her relationship with alcohol.
• Casey also talks about using alcohol as a way to deal with the pressures of work, home, and her inability to say no.
• The science of alcohol’s effects as both a stimulant and depressant, and its role in shutting off the brain.
• Discussing various strategies for setting boundaries, such as choosing not to volunteer for school events and negotiating meetups on one's own terms.

[34:18 - 47:46] The Power of Saying No and Setting Personal Boundaries

• Exploring the connection between being a people pleaser and alcohol use.
• Casey shares her strategies for declining requests or commitments that are not in her best interest.
• Casey mentions her guide, The “Nice Girl’s Guide To Saying No” which provides a structured approach to setting boundaries.
• Self-care and valuing oneself over the need to always please others are important.
• Casey encourages women to prioritize their well-being and set boundaries for a healthier lifestyle.

Follow Casey Davidson!

Follow her on Instagram and Facebook, or visit her website, https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/ 

Key Quotes:

“Once I stopped drinking, I had that confidence that I would be okay, even if my job went away, even if I decided to move on.” - Casey Davidson</