Ep. 26: The Wine O’Clock Myth with Lotta Dann

My guest today Lotta Dann, recovery advocate, blogger and author of three books: the best-selling memoir Mrs. D is Going Without, her second book Mrs. D Is Going Within, and the just released The Wine O’Clock Myth. 

Lotta’s personal memoir of drinking, quitting drinking and living alcohol-free in a drink-filled world is witty, funny, and uplifting. Many memoirs are raw and gritty, but Mrs. D Is Going Without is both charming and real. I loved her book and completely related to Lotta’s experiences in early sobriety. 

Today Lotta and I talk about The Wine O’Clock Myth, and why alcohol occupies such a privileged position in our society.

It’s almost universally represented as a magic elixir to all our problems which makes life both fun and glamorous. And the fact that alcohol also negatively affects the lives of people is practically invisible in conversations about or representations of drinking.

In this episode, Lotta and I discuss:

• The truth that if you are struggling to moderate drinking, you are not alone and you are not the problem: alcohol is the problem.
• The way the liquor industry has targeted women and the damaging 'Wine Mom' social media culture.
• The importance of reframing the treat and reward concepts we’ve been taught (and internalized) around wine. That drinking is our treat at the end of the day and a much needed reward for hard work.
• Why after the initial hit of dopamine wine is a depressive substance that is numbing and cuts you off from yourself and the people around you.
• How to find other rewards and ‘sober treats’ that will nourish and ground you and that will actually make you feel better.
• How to intentionally create a social media feed that inspires you to see all the awesome ways to enjoy life without alcohol rather than one that glamorizes drinking at every turn.
• Why it’s critical to tap into a positive sober support community that shares the full picture of drinking - not just the one marketed to you. One that highlights both how good life can be without alcohol and shares truthfully the messages you will not see in popular culture, marketing or your social media feed - that drinking isn’t always harmless and fun. It can be dangerous and suck a lot of women (and men) into an unhealthy and unhappy cycle.

About Lotta Dann

Lotta built a successful career as a TV reporter, producer, and director, while simultaneously developing a remarkable aptitude for drinking a lot of alcohol.

Lotta began an anonymous blog called “Mrs. D is Going Without” when she was first stopping drinking - as a way to work through her thoughts and feelings, and keep herself accountable when she was starting her journey without alcohol.  

Shownotes: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com/26

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Connect with Lotta Dann

The Wine O'Clock Myth: The Truth You Need To Know About Women and Alcohol: https://www.amazon.com/Wine-OClock-Myth-Truth-Alcohol/dp/1988547229

Mrs D is Going Without: A Memoir: https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-D-Going-Without-Memoir/dp/1877505390

Mrs D is Going Within: https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Going-Within-Lotta-Dann/dp/1877505862

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs_d_alcoholfree/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrsdisgoingwithout

Lotta Dann's Blog: http://livingwithoutalcohol.blogspot.com/

Mrs. D's Blog on Living Sober: https://livingsober.org.nz/category/mrs-ds-blog/

Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson

Website: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com

Instagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelloSomeday 

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