
About this episode
What does building a life you don't want to escape from actually take? Donna joined The Path in March 2021 after a COVID grocery store moment she couldn't unsee and hasn't had a drink since. Now five years in, she's back with Coach Hayley to share what's genuinely changed, what she's still working through, and a question that keeps getting more interesting.
Donna and Coach Hayley discuss:
That COVID grocery store moment, four wine clubs in a week, and what she calls "the gift COVID gave her"
The beta reader who said her memoir should have said more about her drinking, and what she heard two weeks later
Why confidence was her number one benefit from stopping, and how alcohol was worsening her anxiety while she believed it was helping
The 90-second rule for processing difficult emotions without numbing, and the morning practice she's built over five years
Why building a life you don't want to escape from is still the deeper work at year five
And more on forgiveness, gratitude, and what five years of alcohol freedom actually sounds like...
Episode links: nakedmindpath.com
Related episodes:
Naked Life Story — Donna | NLS | EP 465 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-465-naked-life-story-donna
Why Does Drinking Alcohol Make Me Anxious? | Reader Question | EP 684 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-684-readers-question-why-does-drinking-alcohol-make-me-anxious/
The Cost of Fitting In | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | EP 785 - https://thisnakedmind.com/the-cost-of-fitting-in-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e785/
Follow on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-naked-mind-podcast/id1287269357
Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0UB06sNguPjVvgAYFBcR9I?si=b7568f24c21249ff
Ready to take the next step?
Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!
This episode is sponsored by Quince, Hungryroot, and BetterHelp
Quince: Get free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/naked
Hungryroot: Save 40% on your first order PLUS a free item at hungryroot.com/mind CODE: mind
BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp at betterhelp.com/nakedmind
Get every episode summarized
Each time This Naked Mind Podcast publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from This Naked Mind Podcast

How to Quit Drinking as a Mom
This Naked Mind Podcast
Sep 5, 202656:26completed

Regular Drinkers Don't Exist
This Naked Mind Podcast
Sep 1, 20261:00:16pending

Drinking Out of Boredom
This Naked Mind Podcast
Aug 29, 202643:21pending

When You Quit and They Don't
This Naked Mind Podcast
Aug 25, 20261:06:38pending