Lisa Bennett: Embracing Sobriety and Rediscovering Joy
It feels like I've been tightly bound up for so long by alcohol and anxiety and self-doubt, and suddenly I had been given, or I had given myself, permission to start unfurling.
Lisa Bennett, a former marketing professional turned author, joins the Tribe Sober podcast to share her incredible journey to sobriety. Starting her drinking habits in her teens, Lisa found herself caught in a cycle that lasted into her mid-forties. It was an essay by Laura McCowan, titled 'Am I an Alcoholic?', that served as her wake-up call and set her on the path to an alcohol-free life.
In this episode, Lisa opens up about how giving up alcohol has transformed various aspects of her life. She discusses her book, 'My Unfurling', which delves into the profound changes that occur when one stops using alcohol to numb emotions and suppress dreams. From her college days filled with parties to living in the heart of New York City where the nightlife never stopped, Lisa reflects on how different her life could have been without the influence of alcohol.
Now living in Maryland with her husband, mother, two cats, and a dog, Lisa enjoys paddleboarding, yoga, and dancing in the kitchen. She talks about how sobriety has reignited her creativity and passion for writing, allowing her to explore new hobbies and interests. Lisa also addresses the challenges she faced during her journey to sobriety and how she found support and understanding within society.
Listeners will find inspiration in Lisa's story as she encourages everyone to give themselves permission to start their own journey towards a joyful sober life. As she puts it, 'If you do it right, it's a never-ending process and you continue to learn things about yourself and others in the world'. Tune in to hear more about Lisa's experiences and insights on living an enriched life without alcohol.