My Drinking Story

Explicit content warning

05/25/20 • 44 min

1 Listener

In this episode, Janice shares about her past experiences with alcohol abuse, some of the causes underlying it, and her gradual journey developing a healthier relationship with drinking.

Please note that there are details shared about events, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that happened around those past experiences. If you feel that this episode might be triggering for you, please consider not listening to it until (and only if) you feel ready to.
Originally published: April 19, 2018
Read Janice's 4-years-later reflections on the episode here: "S1 | EP11: Getting to Two Years Alcohol Free" (The Soul's Work Blog)
Rate & review the podcast on:

Connect with me:

Instagram: @janicehoimages | @janicehocounselling
Facebook: @thesoulsworkpodcast
Email: [email protected]

Listen to all The Soul's Work Podcast episodes: www.thesoulsworkpodcast.com
Show notes:

1:12: CONTENT WARNING: my personal experiences of alcohol abuse
2:22: Disclaimer: This is my one unique story about using alcohol
3:15: Defining what it means to have a “problem” with alcohol use
8:56: Why I’m sharing my story about alcohol dependency
10:50: My first memories of drinking
11:50: What I was escaping with alcohol
17:33: The ugly consequences of drinking and partying too much
20:25: Hitting rock bottom: drinking at home alone
27:31: Reflecting on the me back then + breaking down the stigma
28:49: My 5-month “drinking ban”
30:41: Starting a new romantic relationship and a new lifestyle
32:52: What helped me to move away from abusing alcohol
36:20: Still susceptible to drinking + the deeper healing and inner work that still needed to be done
39:02: How I am going forward in this journey
41:26: My final words for my dear listeners

In this episode, Janice shares about her past experiences with alcohol abuse, some of the causes underlying it, and her gradual journey developing a healthier relationship with drinking.

Connect with me:

Instagram: @janicehoimages | @janicehocounselling
Facebook: @thesoulsworkpodcast
Email: [email protected]

Listen to all The Soul's Work Podcast episodes: www.thesoulsworkpodcast.com
Show notes:

1:12: CONTENT WARNING: my personal experiences of alcohol abuse
2:22: Disclaimer: This is my one unique story about using alcohol
3:15: Defining what it means to have a “problem” with alcohol use
8:56: Why I’m sharing my story about alcohol dependency
10:50: My first memories of drinking
11:50: What I was escaping with alcohol
17:33: The ugly consequences of drinking and partying too much
20:25: Hitting rock bottom: drinking at home alone
27:31: Reflecting on the me back then + breaking down the stigma
28:49: My 5-month “drinking ban”
30:41: Starting a new romantic relationship and a new lifestyle
32:52: What helped me to move away from abusing alcohol
36:20: Still susceptible to drinking + the deeper healing and inner work that still needed to be done
39:02: How I am going forward in this journey
41:26: My final words for my dear listeners

Previous Episode

Spiritual Bypassing: Why Feeling Good Is Not Enough

1 Recommendations

In this episode, Janice dives into the topic of spiritual bypassing, and explains why the prevalent "feel good, vibe high" and law of attraction teachings in the spiritual/self-development spaces are not enough in: 1) addressing the complex challenges and social barriers that people face in trying to create the life that they want; and 2) promoting a comprehensive "spiritual toolbox" to equip people with in their spiritual development journeys.

Originally published: April 4, 2018
Read Janice's 4-years-later reflections on the episode here: "S1 | EP10: Are You Vibing High or Committing Spiritual Bypassing?" (The Soul's Work Blog)
Rate & review the podcast on:

Connect with me:

Instagram: @janicehoimages | @janicehocounselling
Facebook: @thesoulsworkpodcast
Email: [email protected]

Listen to all The Soul's Work Podcast episodes: www.thesoulsworkpodcast.com

Show notes:

0:45: What we discuss in this episode
1:32: A personal update on my life
5:05: The book that triggered me to speak about spiritual bypassing
7:00: What is spiritual bypassing?
8:11: The connection between spiritual bypassing and privilege
8:46: My very important disclaimer about positive-thinking strategies
10:35: The need for shadow work to experience greater alignment and authenticity
11:53: How “feel good, receive good” teachings can be harmful
13:03: How my past experiences of struggle have informed my views of the “law of attraction” approach
16:09: The other things that people who lack privilege need to gain wealth and a “happy life”
20:40: An illustrative journal entry from 10 years ago
23:10: Recapping the episode so far
26:30: How spiritual bypassing can result in feeling shame and failure
30:56: My call to action to “spiritual leaders”
33:02: My encouragement to my dear listeners on their self-development journey

Resources mentioned in this episode:

"9 Reflective Writing Prompts to Explore White Fragility, Spiritual Bypassing or White Privilege" (Leesa Renée Hall)

Next Episode

Your Ego & Your Higher Self

In this episode, Janice reflects on the podcast's journey thus far and reveals what's up and coming for the show.

For the episode's featured topic (11:15), Janice discusses the contrast between our spiritual egos and our higher selves. She uses her own personal examples to illustrate how the ego can distract us from living our most authentic life, and how "meeting" and continuously reconnecting with her higher self has resulted in deeper self-love and the empowerment to make more authentic life decisions.

Originally published: May 5, 2018
Read Janice's 4-years-later reflections on the episode here: "S1 | EP12: Returning to Our Higher Selves" (The Soul's Work Blog)

Rate & review the podcast:

Apple Podcasts: TSWP on Apple Podcasts
Podchasers: TSWP on Podchasers
TSWP Website: https://www.thesoulsworkpodcast.com/reviews/new/

Connect with me:

Instagram: @janicehoimages | @janicehocounselling
Email: [email protected]

Listen to all The Soul's Work Podcast episodes: www.thesoulsworkpodcast.com
Show notes:

11:24: Today’s featured topic: Getting connected with our authentic or higher self
13:10: Defining the “spiritual ego” + an example of how my ego has been showing up (with work/career)
18:47: What happens when the ego leads our life
20:04: A note about wanting to get rid of our ego