The holidays can feel overwhelming when you are sober. Family dynamics, financial pressure, busy schedules, and old memories all collide. For many people in early sobriety, this season brings up fear, loneliness, and the anxiety of navigating everything without a drink.

In this episode, Julie and Steve sit down with guests Janice Johnson Dowd and Kristian Nylund to talk honestly about what sober holidays look like. They share real stories about their own first alcohol-free Christmases and Thanksgivings, how uncomfortable those early days felt, and what eventually made the season easier and more meaningful.

In this episode:

- Why the holidays felt so tied to alcohol - The worry of feeling left out or judged when you stop drinking - What the first sober holiday is really like - Why triggers are not failure and what they are trying to show you - How to handle family gatherings when people expect you to drink - The power of preparation and having a plan - Letting go of old expectations and creating new traditions - Watching other people drink and why it can change your perspective - How presence becomes the best part of sober celebrations - Why community support matters during the holidays - What makes the holidays feel magical again in sobriety - How to find peace, connection, and meaning even if the season looks different now

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Check out all the resources we offer:

- Full podcast episode library : https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/ - Free Zoom virtual support group : https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/ - Affordable one on one recovery coaching : https://createalifesofull.com/support-options/ - Julie’s blog for alcohol free living : https://createalifesofull.com/category/blog/