5 Signs You Are Ready for a Break From Booze
I remember back in 2017 when I took my first break from booze everyone asking me ‘what was the red flag moment Sarah? What was your rock bottom?’ But the truth is, there wasn’t one big major moment. Instead, there were several little warning signs that I couldn’t ignore any longer. A slow gradual realisation that I couldn’t keep ignoring.
It was the acknowledgement of these 5 signs that led to my first break, which ultimately led to me changing my life in ways that I could never have imagined possible. None of this was about saying ‘I have a huge problem with alcohol.’ All of it was about saying ‘it might now be working for me anymore.’
Below are the 5 signs. If you find yourself nodding along, I want you to know: there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you. I’ve supported over 10,000 women so far to change their drinking who all resonated with these signs. And I want you to know change is 100% possible.
1. You make promises in the morning… but by 5pm you’re drinking again
This is one of the most universal patterns I hear from women.
You wake up determined:
“Tonight I won’t drink.”
You feel motivated, clear, ready to break the habit.
Then 5pm arrives. The day has been long, your nervous system is frazzled, and suddenly that promise doesn’t feel so solid anymore.
You’re not weak.
You don’t lack willpower.
This is habit + dopamine + stress response, and once you understand the brain science behind it, everything changes.
2. You often drink more than you intend to
Maybe you plan for “just one,” but it becomes three… or the bottle disappears faster than you expected.
That’s because alcohol literally lowers your ability to stop once you’ve started. It interrupts the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain responsible for decisions, self-control and boundaries.
Most women think this is a moral failure.
It isn’t. It’s neuroscience.
Once you learn that, the shame fades — and the power returns.
3. You don’t bounce back the way you used to
This is the big one I hear from women over 40:
More anxiety
Dreadful sleep
Racing thoughts
Foggy head
Weight gain
Low motivation
Overthinking
Dull skin
Irritability
It used to be “a hangover and a coffee.”
Now it’s two days of recovery and feeling “off” the whole week.
Your hormones, neurotransmitters, gut microbiome and sleep architecture all become more sensitive over time. Alcohol hits differently in midlife — and it’s not your imagination.
4. You’re thinking about alcohol… a LOT
Negotiating.
Planning.
“Am I drinking too much?”
“Should I drink tonight?”
“Maybe I’ll start Monday.”
Or waking up after a night of drinking thinking:
“I’m so annoyed at myself.”
When alcohol takes up mental real estate, it drains energy — even when you’re not drinking.
The emotional “headspace tax” is one of the biggest reasons women decide to take a break. Once that cloud lifts, it’s life-changing.
5. You want MORE from your life
This is where the magic happens.
You’re noticing time passing.
You want:
✨ More energy
✨ More clarity
✨ More fun
✨ More joy
✨ More presence
✨ More connection
✨ More health
✨ More confidence
✨ More purpose
And you’re realising alcohol is subtracting instead of adding.
That truth might feel scary to admit — but it’s also the beginning of transformation.
🌟 If You’re Nodding “Yes”… It’s Time for a Break
Not forever.
Not all or nothing.
Not “quitting.”
Just one month of learning, experimenting, and seeing what’s possible.
I’d love to guide you through it.
On January 5th, I’m running my 30-Day Alcohol-Free Challenge — and it could be the most powerful thing you do for your health, mindset and wellbeing in 2026.
💛 What You’ll Get Inside the Challenge
When you join, you’re not just “not drinking.”
You’re:
✔ Learning the neuroscience behind cravings, habits and identity
✔ Rewiring your brain in a way that makes change LAST
✔ Getting expert coaching, videos, live sessions and daily support
✔ Connecting with a global community of like-minded women
✔ Using proven tools for stress, social events, and emotional triggers
✔ Sleeping better, thinking clearer, and feeling more like YOU
✔ Creating a mindset that makes February 1st feel exciting — not desperate
This is education + community + accountability + transformation.
Not punishment.
Not white-knuckling.
Not suffering through a boring month.
A reset.
A reboot.
A reclaiming of your energy and identity.
🔥 Ready?
👉 Join the January Alcohol-Free Challenge
If you saw yourself in even one of those signs, I want you to know:
You’re not broken.
You’re not “failing.”
You’re simply at a turning point.
And I’d be honoured to walk beside you.
Let’s make 2026 the year you feel proud, clear, energised and in control.
You deserve it.