S1 E32 Soaking Up Joy and Making Waves in Ireland with Grey Area Drinker Olivia Farrelly

Mindful Sobriety The Podcast

Olivia Farrelly, a gray area drinker from Ireland, shares her journey of giving up alcohol and becoming an Alcohol Free Lifestyle mentor and podcaster. She discusses the challenges of navigating a society that is alcohol-centric and the shame and stigma associated with problematic drinking. Olivia emphasizes the importance of recognizing the gray area between being an alcoholic and a normal drinker. She explores the concept of being a highly sensitive person and how alcohol can temporarily provide relief but exacerbate anxiety and other negative emotions. Olivia also discusses the spiritual awakening that can come with giving up alcohol and the empowerment of living a life of intention and personal sovereignty. Olivia Farrelly shares her journey of giving up alcohol and the positive impact it has had on her life. She discusses the process of discovering her purpose and gifts, gaining confidence, and finding peace and contentment. Olivia emphasizes the importance of giving up alcohol to experience personal growth and rise up to become the person we were meant to be. She also highlights the connection between alcohol and shame, and the freedom and lightness that come with sobriety. Olivia and Jane discuss the spiritual and gut health benefits of quitting alcohol, as well as the collective awakening happening in society.

KEY POINTS

• There is a growing movement of sober curiosity and a recognition of the gray area between being an alcoholic and a normal drinker.
• Alcohol can provide temporary relief for highly sensitive people, but it often leads to increased anxiety and negative emotions.
• Giving up alcohol can be a catalyst for profound spiritual awakening and a shift in perception of self and purpose.
• Living a life of intention and personal sovereignty empowers individuals to create their own reality and prioritize what truly matters. Giving up alcohol can lead to personal growth, confidence, and a sense of peace and contentment.
• Alcohol is often used as a way to cope with life, but giving it up allows us to discover our true purpose and gifts.
• Sobriety can help us let go of shame and experience freedom and lightness.
• Quitting alcohol can have spiritual and gut health benefits.
• There is a collective awakening happening, and giving up alcohol can be a catalyst for personal and societal change.

"There's still a huge amount of shame and stigma that goes with drinking and especially problematic drinking."
"Gray area drinkers can't stop at one. They feel like an all or nothing type drinker."
"Alcohol is a surefire way for a highly sensitive person to regulate themselves."
"The discovery of who I am and what my gifts are has been incredible."
"The peace and calmness and serenity and contentness that I've experienced is absolutely as a result of giving up alcohol."
"When you take alcohol away, we have to rise up to the challenge to become the people that we were always meant to be."

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Olivia's Journey
03:04 The Gray Area of Drinking
06:06 Alcohol and Highly Sensitive People
09:33 Spiritual Awakening and Empowerment
13:08 Sober Curiosity and Shifting Perspectives
26:34 Discovering Purpose and Gifts
27:31 Finding Peace and Contentment
28:10 The Connection Between Alcohol and Shame
29:44 The Benefits of Sobriety
36:02 Contributing to the Collective Awakening

Olivia Farrelly is a Grey Area Drinker from Ireland who has been alcohol free since 2018. Olivia credits removing alcohol as the single most transformational change she has ever made. Since giving up alcohol, Olivia has experienced more joy, energy, vitality, clarity, self-compassion and motivation than ever before. She is passionate about helping others access these inherent qualities by making ONE CHANGE- REMOVING ALCOHOL.

She holds an MSc in Health Psychology and a Diploma in Alcohol Studies. She uses both her education and experience as a problematic drinker, to empower others to untangle from the grip alcohol has on our culture. She approaches alcohol use from the point of view of overall health and encourages the use of meditation, affirmations, journaling, reading and gut healing to help people live a deep fulfilling and joy-soaked life completely alcohol free.

Olivia would love to hear from you! Find out more about ways to work with Olivia on her website or Instagram @greyareadrinker.

Be sure to check out Living Your Purpose Bali Retreat 2025 here for early registration! Secure your spot by August 15 to save $300. Flexible payment plans available. Reach out to Jane @janewballard on instagram or email [e-mail] to book a discovery call.

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