Is alcohol playing a bigger role in your life than you’d like it to be? Whether you’re noticing that your drinking has increased during the pandemic, or have recently come to terms with the fact that your nightly wine habit is no longer serving you, know that you’re not alone.

Excessive drinking (call it what you want) is a struggle faced by many. My bet is at least one household on every block has a parent who is using alcohol as a way to self-soothe, and cope. It’s a big problem, and one that society is still reluctant to acknowledge.

Last year, I wrote a piece for The Kit, that was later published in The Toronto Star, sharing my concerns about why mommy drinking culture has to go. In short: it’s extremely harmful, and benefitting no one. The memes aren’t cute, the jokes aren’t funny.

My opinions received a lot of flak, especially in online mom groups. It came as no surprise to me—mothers do not have the support they need, how dare I attack them for a ritual they love! It struck a nerve. But it’s an important topic to examine because so many women are getting sick from their drinking habits (physically and mentally), and the side effects bleed into all facets of life, putting strain on relationships and preventing women from being the best versions of themselves. I know, because I was a woman who drank for 17 years to manage my anxiety and stress, to numb my pain. The self-loathing alone will rot you.

This Wednesday, Soul Fuel Fitness is hosting one of their weekly Soul Talks, and this week the topic of discussion is Women, Motherhood, and Alcohol. I’m pleased to join moderator Lesley Stoyan for a candid conversation about this challenging issue.  

What we will discuss at this Wednesday’s Soul Talk

  • Why is alcohol misuse growing, amongst women 35+?
  • What are some ways to help decrease or stop drinking? What first steps should we take?
  • What is with the enormous social pressure to drink, and why is choosing to not drink a choice we feel we need to defend?  
  • How do we shift the culture to provide real support for mothers?
  • LCBO sales have increased by over 45% since COVID started in March. What are some healthy ways to cope, during a pandemic? Some new things we can add to our toolbox? 
  • Is it possible to have fun without alcohol?

Taking care of kids right now, especially with the inability to socialize normally, is incredibly difficult and stressful. Join us this Wednesday at 11am for a virtual webinair, and connect with other women—in a safe environment. Sharing our struggles (we all have them!), and helping one another find solutions, is one way we can grow back the village, and community, that COVID has disrupted.

Wednesday October 7th, 11AM – 11:45AM. Head to Soul Fuel Fitness site to sign up.