Stop Borrowing Confidence From a Glass

August 11, 2026 · 1 h 2 min

Show notes

What does it take to figure out how to stop relying on alcohol for confidence? Amy needed eleven months alcohol-free, followed by more stops and starts than a city bus has, to decide something needed to change. For Dee, it was an entire wedding weekend and the fear of being the only one without a drink in her hand that made her realize alcohol was holding way too much headspace for her. Coaches Zoe and Cole help both women discover the confidence that was already inside them all along.

Amy discusses:

Going 30 days alcohol-free, then 11 months, then letting red wine back in "on a limited basis" and watching it unravel

The cognitive dissonance between her morning self and her evening self, and why they actually want the same thing

An ADHD diagnosis at seventeen and a lifelong feeling of being unpredictable to herself

A snowy backyard, a hot tub, and proof that an urge really does pass if you outlast it

Dee discusses:

An entire wedding weekend built around alcohol, and the fear she hadn't said out loud yet

Why a glass of wine became her stand-in for confidence since college

The shift from "I'm not allowed to drink" to "I'm choosing not to," and why that one distinction changed everything

Visualizing the wedding ahead of time, the same way she used to visualize a swim race

And more…

Ready to take the next step?

Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life's big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol.

Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/

Cole Harvey is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

More on this episode - https://thisnakedmind.com/podcast/how-to-stop-relying-on-alcohol-for-confidence-alcohol-freedom-coaching-ep-931/

Related episodes:

How Do I Become Socially Confident Without Alcohol? – Reader Question – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-582-readers-question-how-do-i-become-socially-confident-without-alcohol/

Drinking Less in Wine Country – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – https://thisnakedmind.com/drinking-less-in-wine-country-alcohol-freedom-coaching-ep-740/

Feel Like Yourself Again – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – https://thisnakedmind.com/feel-like-yourself-again-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e756/

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This episode is sponsored by Quince, Hungryroot, and BetterHelp

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