And how do you navigate the big emotions that surface when you remove alcohol, our coping mechanisms that dull what we truly feel?

I’m yet to meet a woman who hasn’t felt the ebb and flow of her hormones, yet for years I didn’t truly understand the rhythm of my own body. Like so many women, I was conditioned to push through, ignore what my body was telling me, and fit myself into a schedule designed for someone with a 24-hour energy cycle; a man.

Alcohol only made it worse. When I drank, my mood swings were unpredictable and heightened: anxious, irritable, frustrated, low, and restless. Sleep suffered. Nutrition went out the window. My emotions became a blur, and I didn’t truly feel or understand them.

If this sounds familiar, you may benefit from my alcohol-free coaching sessions — designed for those ready to reconnect with themselves and live in flow.

Alcohol affects women’s hormones in profound ways. It disrupts oestrogen, progesterone, and cortisol, amplifying mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and even anger. Sleep can become restless, energy levels unpredictable, and appetite erratic, making it harder to stay in tune with your natural cycle. Over time, alcohol masks emotions, keeping women from learning how to navigate hormonal rhythms and truly understand themselves.

I remember clearly the first big emotion I had to navigate sober was after an argument with my husband. I was knocked sideways by the strength of the rage I felt (probably by him chewing or something!) and I didn’t know what to do with it. In the past, I would have reached for wine, numbing the feeling and prolonging the conflict.

Instead, I paced my kitchen, unsure how to release it. I went outside and came back to my breath, giving myself permission to sit with the anger. Eventually, I could engage my rational mind and communicate honestly, setting new boundaries and creating a framework for future conversations. That moment was a wake-up call: learning to sit with my emotions sober was not only possible, it was transformative.

Breathwork was one of the tools that helped me regulate my nervous system. If you’re ready to experience this yourself, I offer private breathwork sessions both in person and online.

“Sobriety isn’t just about giving up alcohol, it’s about understanding your hormones, your emotions, and your natural cycles.”

So what has changed since ditching the booze?

Why am I now more in sync with my cycle?

Daily tracking of my cycle using Menstrual Cycle Awareness (MCA) has been a game-changer. Starting on day one of my bleed, I record mood, energy, productivity, sleep, and physical symptoms. This simple, intentional practice allows me to plan work and life around my natural rhythms instead of trying to shoehorn a 28-day cycle into a 24-hour world.

Over time, I’ve learned to honour both my high-energy and low-energy days, embracing rest when it’s needed and action when I’m ready. Honouring the awe of a woman's body rather than trying to fight against it.

Living alcohol-free has given me the clarity to understand what triggers me and why, to feel my emotions fully without judgment, and to surround myself with compassionate people. It has given me the space to educate my children about feelings and model emotional awareness, and to work with my husband to create gentler interactions during sensitive times.

Sobriety has allowed me to slow down, honour my body, and create a life aligned with my energy, values, and needs.

If you’re curious about how to begin a reset of your own, you can sign up now for my next Seasonal Reset: The Autumn Experiment — a 90-day alcohol-free journey grounded in science, rhythm, and community.

Tools I Turned To

During those first experiences of sober emotion, I realised I needed quick, accessible tools, otherwise I risked falling back into old habits.

Things that helped me included:

Walking or running in nature

Sitting barefoot on the earth

Conscious Connected Breathing for 10 minutes

Drinking a cold glass of water

Journaling thoughts and feelings

These tools became rituals, and later, part of what I now offer through Fire & Soul’s sound healing and movement sessions. They’ve helped not just me, but also my children. Together, we’re learning how to feel what we feel, understand it, and respond with compassion, instead of reacting from overwhelm.

The Bigger Picture: A Life in Flow

As I grew more confident in living this way, I realised I wanted my entire life to reflect who I truly am, even the way I work.

Running my own business has given me the freedom to strategically schedule high-focus work during my most productive days and reserve reflection, creativity, and rest for low-energy days. Understanding and respecting my cycle has empowered me to work with my body instead of against it, a freedom I never had while drinking.

If you’re in the early days of this journey or want support stepping into this lifestyle, I invite you to explore my coaching packages, group sound baths, or join our community newsletter to stay connected.

Final Words

Sobriety isn’t just about giving up alcohol, it’s about

Understanding your hormones
Learning to navigate big emotions
Living in alignment with your energy and values
Embracing both your stillness and your power

It takes time to learn these rhythms, especially after years of alcohol use and pushing down our needs. But the rewards are profound: clarity, self-awareness, steady energy, emotional strength, and the ability to live fully as yourself.

If you’d like to dive deeper into this, I recommend Wild Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer, a powerful guide for understanding your cycle and reclaiming your energy. And if you’re ready to feel more rooted, more radiant, and more free, I’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s begin with one breath and go from there.

Get in touch or book a free discovery call to see how we can work together.

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