The Gift of CHOICE – Make This Christmas Your Happiest Yet
It’s getting closer🎄🎄 …..the ‘magical’ time of year, that is hard work, joyful, sad, expensive, exhausting – a mass of conflicting emotions, all wrapped into one package called, Christmas…..
The message of Christmas is one of joy, connection, and a wonderful celebration of love and life.
Christmas is supposed to be a season of joy, love, and connection. But for you, especially if you’re struggling with your drinking, it might feel like a time of tension, guilt, and overwhelm.
The invitations to parties, the endless glasses of prosecco, the stress of family dynamics, maybe struggling with loneliness or grief, there is a huge spectrum of emotions that are amplified at Christmas, all of which can you leave you wondering: “
“How the hell am I going to get through all this without feeling stressed, anxious and out of control?“
Well, I’m telling you now that you DON’T have to dread this Christmas.
You CAN be completely in control of your drinking choices
You CAN enjoy a social drink and wake up the next morning, peaceful, happy, proud and loving life, and
You CAN make the best choices for you, and your family with grace and ease.
And the secret to a your happy, fulfilling Christmas starts with understanding the power of your choices and the BELIEFS that drive them!
Why Your Beliefs Shape Your Christmas Choices
When it comes to drinking, Christmas can amplify the tension between what you know and what you feel.
- You know another drink might leave you hungover tomorrow.
- You know you’ll feel guilty if you drink too much in front of the kids.
- You know alcohol won’t magically make family conflicts disappear.
But despite knowing all of this, there’s still that pull—the thought that “just one more” will make you feel better in the moment. That pull doesn’t come from alcohol itself; it comes from your beliefs about what alcohol can do for you.
For years, you may have believed that drinking is the answer to stress, that it helps you fit in, or that it makes Christmas more fun. And while those beliefs might have started as little stories you told yourself, they’ve become powerful drivers of your choices.
When Fear Takes Away Your Choices
You might recognize that you have a choice—to drink or not—but if you don’t believe change is possible, fear creeps in.
You fear that saying no will make you stand out.
You fear that it’ll feel hard, lonely, or boring.
You fear failing, again, if you try to cut back.
That fear can feel so big that it makes choice seem impossible. It’s easier to give in, to take the drink, and to deal with the regret later.
But here’s the truth: your fear is rooted in a belief—not in reality. And beliefs can change.
These beliefs live in your Unconscious Mind, which is your superpower designed to protect you and meet your needs.
The tension you feel—the struggle between wanting to stop drinking and giving in—comes from the conflict between your Conscious and Unconscious Minds.
You Unconscious mind doesn’t know what alcohol is; it has no language, no memory of the last time you felt out of control, and it can’t imagine the hangover, guilt, or shame you’ll feel tomorrow.
It acts only in the moment, seeking to comfort your uncomfortable emotions.
Meanwhile, your Conscious mind knows exactly what alcohol is and what it does to you.
It tries to pull you away from drinking because it knows the harm it causes.
This is not a fight with alcohol—it’s a fight within yourself. But once you understand this, you can finally break free and you do regain total power of your choices.
Shifting Into the Truth of Choice
When you start to believe that you do have a choice, everything changes.
Here’s how you can shift from fear and doubt to confidence and empowerment this Christmas:
1. Pause and Get Curious
When you feel the pull to drink, pause. Ask yourself: What do I really need right now?
Is it connection? Peace? Relief from stress? it could even be as simple as a cup of tea and some food…..
What it you will definitely discover it that it is not alcohol you want, but the feeling you believe it will give you.
2. Challenge the Belief
The belief that alcohol will make Christmas better is just that—a belief. Ask yourself: Is that really true?
Think back to past Christmases. Did drinking really deliver what you hoped for, or did it leave you feeling worse in the long run?
3. Play It Forward
Your Unconscious Mind acts in the moment—it doesn’t remember the hangovers or the guilt from last year. But your conscious mind does. Before you take that first drink, play the scenario forward in your mind. Imagine how you’ll feel the next day.
4. Create New Choices
Once you recognize the belief driving your desire to drink, you can choose something different. Maybe you’ll take a walk when you feel stressed, or grab a sparkling water instead of wine. Each small choice builds confidence and rewires your beliefs.
5. Embrace Boundaries
Protecting your energy is key. That might mean saying no to a party that feels too triggering or setting limits on how much time you spend with difficult family members. Boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re essential for your well-being.
A Christmas of Possibilities
This Christmas, you have the power to break free from old beliefs and make choices that align with the happiest, healthiest version of you.
It’s not about being perfect or never drinking again—it’s about understanding why you feel pulled toward alcohol and creating new ways to meet your needs.
When you believe in your ability to choose, the fear fades. You’ll feel stronger, more in control, and more able to show up as the best version of yourself for the people you love.
Your Next Step
If you’re ready to make this Christmas a turning point, I’d love to share my framework for fast and easy change. It’s all about recognizing your Unconscious Beliefs and the patterns you run before you drink, so you can say no with confidence and ease.
This Christmas doesn’t have to be a struggle. It can be a season of hope, joy, and transformation—and it starts with one simple choice. Let’s make it together.
Sonia Grimes
The Alcohol Control & MidLIFE Woman Coach
