Midlife AF Podcast

#105 Accepting AF

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In this episode, I share my journey of learning to let go of resistance and embrace self-compassion on the path to becoming alcohol-free. I discuss how our inability to feel and process pain is often at the root of unhealthy coping mechanisms like drinking, and share the importance of developing mindfulness to observe our thoughts and feelings, rather than getting caught up in them.

I also emphasise the transformative power of offering ourselves kindness and understanding, just as we would a dear friend struggling.

Through practices like the ice cube exercise, I demonstrate how we can learn to move through discomfort with greater ease and clarity.

My hope is that this conversation inspires you to approach your own challenges with more self-acceptance and inner wisdom.

Key Takeaways:

  • Resistance, or wishing things were different than they are, is a major source of suffering and a barrier to change.
  • Our aversion to feeling pain, often rooted in childhood experiences, drives us to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol use.
  • Developing mindfulness to observe our thoughts and sensations, rather than getting caught up in them, is a crucial first step.
  • Offering ourselves self-compassion - validating our struggles and providing the care and understanding we needed as children - can profoundly transform our relationship with difficulty.
  • Practices like the ice cube exercise demonstrate how we can learn to be with discomfort, rather than reflexively resisting it, allowing us to move through challenges with more ease.
  • Making sustainable changes requires addressing the underlying beliefs and emotional patterns, not just relying on willpower.

    • Episode links & Resources

    • Learn more about Emma Gilmour at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com
    • Follow Emma Gilmour on insta @hoperisingcoaching

      • My Upcoming Coached Events & Programs:

      • Join Emma's VIP ELITE experience here: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/offers/k7AXMNPG 
      • Join Emma's Be The Lighthouse membership here: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/bethelighthouse 
      • Get Emma's Visualisation audio download at https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/northstarvisualisation 
      • Emma's Awareness worksheets for people wanting to prepare prior to taking a break from drinking or reduce their drinking by being more mindful about what and why they drink https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/awareness-worksheets-opt-in 
      • Emma's 5 Day Alcohol Reset for people looking to take a quick reset https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/fivedayreset 
      • Join The Self-Paced Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment at https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/aae 

        • Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705

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        Midlife AF PodcastBy Emma Gilmour