What to expect when you take a break from alcohol with Lucie Culley

What to expect when you take a break from alcohol with Lucie Culley

Author: Rachel Spencer December 19, 2024 Duration: 51:04

This episode is a little different from the usual podcasts about putting your pet business out there and feeling ok with self-promotion.

I’m joined by the brilliant Lucy Culley, founder of Wooflinks and a member of my coaching community, for an honest and open chat about our personal journeys with alcohol.

This is not a podcast about giving advice - it’s simply a conversation about why we each chose to take breaks from drinking, what we’ve learned along the way, and how it’s impacted our lives and businesses.

If you’re concerned about your own drinking and feel you need support, please do speak to your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.

If you’ve ever thought about taking a break or are simply curious about what it might look like, we hope this conversation will inspire and reassure you.

There’s no judgment here - just two women sharing their experiences in the hope it resonates and provides support if it's something you're considering.

Key topics and timings:

00:00 – Introduction to the conversation

03:03 – Lucie's journey with alcohol

06:12 – The decision to take a break

09:02 – Initial challenges and discoveries

12:06 – Understanding grey area drinking

14:55 – Rachel's experience and reflections

18:13 – The impact of alcohol on mental health

20:50 – Finding new hobbies and interests

24:12 – Concluding thoughts on alcohol and life

31:58 – The transformative power of sobriety

34:28 – Personal growth and professional focus

37:17 – Navigating social situations without alcohol

40:57 – Community and support in sobriety

44:09 – Reflections on alcohol and personal experiences

49:07 – Reflections on drinking

52:31 – Final thoughts on embracing change

Recommended resources:

Books:

  • The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley on Amazon
  • The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray on Amazon
  • This Naked Mind by Annie Grace on Amazon
  • Beyond Booze by Sarah Rusbatch on Amazon

Apps:

  • Reframe: A supportive app with tools and community features to help with mindful drinking or sobriety. Find out more here.
  • Dry Days: A free app from Alcohol Change UK where you can track alcohol-free days and set personal goals. Download it here.

Podcasts:


Find out more about Lucie and Wooflinks:

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

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

Website: https://wooflinks.co.uk/


There's a persistent myth in the pet industry that success requires a rigid, one-size-fits-all formula. Your Pet Business, Your Way exists to dismantle that idea entirely. Hosted by Rachel Spencer, a journalist and accredited coach with deep roots in this world, this podcast is a conversation for pet professionals-groomers, trainers, walkers, product makers-who feel exhausted by generic marketing advice and industry trends that clash with their personal values and lifestyle. Rachel brings her background as a mentor and author to frank discussions about building a sustainable enterprise that doesn't demand you sacrifice your family time, your sanity, or your unique voice. Episodes delve into practical strategies for marketing, client relationships, and entrepreneurship, but always through the lens of your individual circumstances. You'll hear from Rachel directly, as well as insights from others navigating the same path, focusing on how to grow a business that genuinely fits around your life, whether that involves kids, other passions, or simply a desire for more autonomy. This isn't about following a rulebook; it's about writing your own. Tune in for a refreshingly realistic take on creating a pet business that thrives on your terms, making this podcast a trusted resource for anyone who believes their love for animals and their personal ambitions can truly coexist.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Your pet business, Your way
Podcast Episodes
Get your pet business in the press in five simple steps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:32
Is getting some press coverage something you’d love to achieve for your pet business?You might see other people in the industry getting brilliant media coverage and wonder ‘how do they do it?’Well, the good news is you d…
How to create a repeatable content plan for your pet business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:50
Would you love to feel calm and in control of your content?Does it sometimes feel like you're constantly scrambling for ideas, or vanishing off social media when life gets busy?The good news is, you don’t need to chase t…
How to become a person who plans (without changing your personality) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:43
Would you love to become the kind of person who plans?Are you fed up of feeling like you have so much going on that you can't keep up, and like the idea of a more calm way of working?The good news is that you don't need…
A simple content plan to cover SEO, social media and your newsletter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:12
Are you looking for a simple planning system that can cover your SEO, social media and email marketing?Maybe you'd love to create one piece of content that you can use for all three, and know that your business is showin…
Why connection is my word for 2026 - and how to choose yours [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:05
Do you choose a word for the year? Or are you thinking about yours for 2026? Each year, I choose a word to guide how I want to feel and how I want to work and this year it’s Connection.In the past, it's been Calm and Spa…
Why I'm raising my prices in 2026 – and why you might want to too [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:32
Are you thinking of putting up your pricess in 2026?If you're a pet business owner who struggles with charging fairly, overdelivers, and feels awkward about pricing - this episode is for you.I share what my current offer…
You need to versus what do you need? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:14
When you run a business, it can feel like you’re constantly bombarded with new things you need to be doing.You wear plenty of hats anyway, from doing the actual work, to social media, your accounts, keeping on top of you…
12 planning lessons for 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:47
Are you already feeling like you’ve got a plan for 2026 or looking for some inspiration?If it’s the latter then carry on reading because in this post and podcast episode, I’m sharing 12 lessons from the online planning d…