As the holiday season approaches, you may find yourself reflecting—not just on the year behind you, but on the rhythms and habits that shape your daily life. For some, that reflection includes an honest look at their relationship with alcohol or other substances. The holidays, with their social gatherings, family stress, and emotional intensity, can be both joyful and challenging. It’s a time when many of us rely on old coping patterns—sometimes without even realizing it.

If you’ve started to wonder whether your glass of wine at dinner, your weekend cocktails, or your “just to unwind” habits are serving you—or if you’re serving them—you’re not alone.  Many women, especially in midlife, are navigating shifting family roles, career changes, aging parents, and changing bodies. It’s natural to seek comfort and connection, especially when so much feels in flux. But it’s also a time ripe for clarity, growth, and self-compassion. 

Changing your relationship with substances doesn’t have to mean making drastic decisions overnight. It begins with curiosity—asking gentle questions about how you feel before, during, and after using. It’s about recognizing what you truly want: more energy, better sleep, deeper presence with loved ones, or simply peace of mind.

If you’re thinking about cutting back or being more mindful with alcohol this season, here are a few small, compassionate ways to start:

1. Set an intention before each event. Decide ahead of time how you want to feel—calm, connected, energized—and let that guide your choices.
2. Alternate your drinks. Enjoy a festive mocktail or sparkling water between alcoholic beverages to stay hydrated and slow your pace.
3. Create rituals that soothe without substances. A walk after dinner, journaling, or deep breathing can offer the same sense of relief you might usually seek from a drink.
4. Notice your triggers. Pay attention to the moments, people, or emotions that make drinking more tempting. Awareness is the first step toward change.
5. Plan alcohol-free days. Choose a few days each week to go without any alcohol, and notice how your body and mind respond.
6. Practice self-compassion. Progress isn’t linear—every mindful choice counts. Celebrate your awareness, not perfection.
7. Connect with support systems. Whether it’s a trusted friend, an online community, or a therapist, sharing your goals can make change feel less isolating.

Reaching out to a therapist can be a transformative step—not because something is “wrong” with you, but because you deserve to feel whole, empowered, and in control of your choices. A therapist trained in substance use and women’s wellness can help you unpack the emotional layers behind your habits, explore healthier coping tools, and set intentions that align with the life you want to create.

Therapy offers a confidential, judgment-free space to talk honestly about the pressures, emotions, and expectations that so often drive us to numb or escape. You don’t have to do it alone. Whether you choose to reduce, take a break, or stop completely, having a professional ally can make the journey far more compassionate and sustainable.

This holiday season, as you pour generosity into everyone else, remember to honour yourself. Reach out, reflect, and reconnect—with your values, your wellbeing, and the version of yourself that feels vibrant, grounded, and free.

To book a session with Christina, click here.