Tag: alcohol

Sober Glow Newsletter

November 21, 2025

NOVEMBER EDITION

Your monthly dose of sober strength, glowing skin, clean beauty, mocktails & motivation.

Hello Sober Glow Getters!

Welcome to the very first edition of my monthly Sober Glow Newsletter , something I’ve wanted to create for such a long time but you know how busy this sober lifestyle gets! Today I am celebrating 9 YEARS SOBER and I thought it’s the perfect time to launch my monthly newsletter!

Every month, you’ll get a blend of:

✨ My top sober tips
✨ Skincare & makeup recommendations
✨ A “mocktail of the month”
✨ A motivating read
✨ A glow-boosting self-care ritual
✨ Info on joining my Glow Sisterhood
✨ Plus a sneak peek at Tropic’s latest offers

I’m so excited to bring us all together in one space to support, inspire, and lift each other through this beautiful sober self-care lifestyle.

🌱 My Top 9 Tips for 9 Years Sober

Today marks 9 years alcohol-free – I can not belive its been 9 years, it feels like I have created a whole new me in that time! 9 years of clarity, peace, strength and creating a life I love 😍

I am always getting messages asking for my top tips so here are the nine tips that have helped me the most on my sober jounrey:

1. Romanticise your sober life.
Make it feel special and make it a priority! Especially in those early days create cosy rituals, make time for you and make YOU and your recovery a priority.

2. Treat self-care as non-negotiable.
Self care is so important and it really is how we take our power back – from an early night with a hot chocolate and a book or Netflix, promising yourself a walk every day, healthy food and new recipes, a long hot bath and pamper night, taking yourself on a date – for a coffee or the cinema. Its all about doing the things that YOU want to do and MAKING yourself a priority.

3. Know your triggers & plan ahead.
Preparation removes pressure. When I quit I was determined to keep all the Christmas dates in my diary, I just thought if I can get through these sober and the whole of Christmas I can get through anything. BUT I had a few tools in my tool box to help, some people were more than happy with me saying I had an early morning start so was driving, whilst others wouldn’t take that as an answer so a couple of times I would say I was on antibiotics. It worked!

I made sure that food was involved! Sitting and enjoying lovely food was a novelty to me as I always ate less to drink more, food was an inconvenience!

Make sure you have your AF drinks in stock too – at the start of my sober journey these helped me a lot.

4. Don’t isolate — connect.
Find supportive people and uplifting spaces. This can be online or in person – for me a lot of my support has been on line. Just find your people, the people who light you up! Who give you the good energy, the good vibes, they don’t have to be sober but they need to lift you up on your journey.

5. Move your body for your mind.
Exercise is therapy. Exercise has been my go to since day one of my journey, even if it meant just getting out for a walk in those early days. Now I workout most days and push myself with weights and cardio and have even signed up to the Manchester Hyrox in January! Mentally it just keeps me on track and if you want more proof just read these stats……..

Exercise releases natural mood boosters (serotonin, dopamine, endorphins).

Just 15 minutes a day can reduce depression risk by 26%.

Movement reduces anxiety by up to 30%.

Improves sleep by 65%, which massively boosts mood.

Regular exercisers have 43% fewer low-mood days.

6. Replace the glass with a ritual.
Mocktails, tea, AF fizz, whatever you fancy but one thing I have realised is the GLASS is more important than the drink! I still LOVE a gorgeous big glass even if its full of something simple like a sparkling water or diet coke – its all about the glass!

7. Celebrate every milestone.
Small or huge, acknowledge it all. At the start of my journey my goal was a sober Christmas and then 100 days, then 6 months, a year and every year after that! Celebrate your sober milestones with a little treat to YOU (or a big treat) I’m planning on a mini break next year for my ten years! This year I have finally got myself a coffee machine that I have wanted for ages – in the early days I would just have a day off work and go for lunch! Big or small celebrate it all! And don’t forget if you are looking for selfcare treats, I am your girl!

8. Educate yourself.
Keep learning, growing, and staying empowered. Our sober journeys are an ongoing path of self development and self discovery – podcasts, books, inspiring Instagram accounts, new challenges and pushing yourself out of that comfort zone is really what its all about.

9. Remember: you’re not losing anything, you’re gaining everything.
My sober journey really has been the gift that keeps on giving, I literally put down the glass and picked up a new life!! And you can do the same!

🍸 Mocktail of the Month: Glow & Berries Spritz

Ingredients:

  • Sparkling water or alcohol-free fizz
  • A splash of raspberry cordial or AF mulled wine cordial
  • Frozen berries
  • Fresh mint
  • Ice

How to make it:
Fill your glass with ice, pour your fizz, add cordial, berries, and mint.
Refreshing, simple, and perfect for a cosy night in-all the festive vibes without the hangover!

✨ 5-Minute Gua Sha Facelift Ritual

I shared this demo on my socials earlier this month and had great feed back! From the drinking me who would very rarely wash her face at the end of the night (normally too drunk, tired or both!) I absolutely love having a good skincare routine and this is an essential part of mine!

Why I love it:
A Gua Sha routine helps reduce puffiness, softens tension, boosts circulation and gives you that natural “calm glow”. It’s a beautiful way to reconnect with yourself at the end of the day and even repeat a couple of positive affirmations as you do it.

👉 5 Minute Gua Sha Routine

📚 Motivating Read of the Month:

The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley

When I started my sober journey, Clare’s words were like a lifeline – honest, funny, emotional and so real. She helped me feel seen, supported and understood in a way I didn’t even know I needed.

Clare has been one of my biggest inspirations, and I’m so honoured to be mentioned in the acknowledgements. It’s something I’ll always treasure.

If you’re sober or sober-curious, this book is uplifting, relatable and full of hope.
A beautiful reminder that life on the other side of alcohol is brighter, calmer and so much more you.

Get your copy here!

🌿 Glow With Tropic — Join My Team and share your sober glow!

If you love clean beauty, self-care and empowering other women, joining Tropic could be a life-changing next step – which came naturally to me after I got sober. At a time I was looking for toxin free beauty and skincare and really thinking about what I was putting on my skin and in my body, the business side of things was never planned! It all happened organically – which is what I love about it, zero pressure!

What you get when you join:
✨ The Tropic Starter Kit filled with bestselling skincare & our founding product, the gorgeous Body Smooth!
✨ 25% off all your own products
✨ Flexible – work online, in person or both. Zero targets or pressure, you have full control and can do as little or as much as you want to do!
✨ A supportive community of Glow Sisters – I have around 100 ladies on the team now and its all grown organically from customers who LOVE the products, and we have quite a few sober glow ladies on there now too!
✨ Personal guidance from me as your mentor – I will be with you every step of the way!!

If you’d love more info, just reach out, I’d love to support you on your Tropic Sober Glow Journey!

🎁 Tropic’s Give Back Friday Offer!

This months offer is truly special one of our most generous yet with something for you and our Charities! click the link below to find out more

👉 www.tropicskincare.com/angiefairclough

See You Next Month for lots of festive top tips for a sober Christmas to remember!

Thank you for being here and walking this journey with me.
Every month I’ll be dropping into your inbox with sober tips, self-care, skincare, mocktails and all the glow you need.

If you enjoyed this November edition, please share with your sober sisters and your socials. Don’t forget to leave a comment or send me a message to let me know what you think – I love hearing from you.

Please check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/soberglowgetter and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/soberglowgetter/ for other ways to connect. I am here for you at every step of your sober glow journey.

Keep glowing 🌟

Love Angie xx

“Top 5 Tips for a Sober Holiday!”

June 11, 2025

Welcome back!

Last month I celebrated 8 and a half years of sobriety, and marked the occasion by starting up my own YouTube channel! Its the perfect place for me to chat all things Sobriety, Selfcare, Skincare, Health and wellness – how to THRIVE in sobriety and not just survive.

Something I get asked a LOT, is how do I holiday sober? One of my latest posts is all about this and you can listen to it here Subscribe here

With over 8 years of sobriety under my belt, I know first hand that holidays can bring unique challenges when you’re alcohol-free. BUT they can also be the most beautiful, clear, recharging and refreshing times when you’re present and prepared.

Here are my Top 5 Sober Holiday Tips to help you build your sober toolbox and enjoy a holiday you’ll actually remember — hangover free!

1. Remember Your Why

  • Reconnect with the reason you chose a sober life — your health, your peace, your relationships, your freedom.
  • Write it down, keep a reminder on your phone, or say it out loud before big events.
  • When temptation arises, your “why” becomes your anchor.

2. Do Things Differently

  • Break old patterns. If holidays used to revolve around alcohol, try a fresh approach.
  • Choose new destinations, activities, or people that align with your sober lifestyle.
  • Shift the focus from drinking to experience, connection, and self-care.

3. Stay Connected to the New You

  • Keep routines that support your sobriety: journaling, walks, skincare, meditation — whatever keeps you grounded.
  • Don’t leave your sober self at home when you pack your suitcase!
  • Be proud of the version of you that’s showing up fully present.

4. Enjoy It ALL!

  • You’re not missing out. You’re gaining so much more: energy, memory, real joy.
  • Savour the mornings, the conversations, the food, the laughter — all without the fog.
  • Celebrate the freedom of living authentically and Feeling amazing and hangover free.

5. Play It Forward

  • If you feel tempted, fast-forward in your mind to how you’ll feel after a drink; the regret, the hangover, the lost progress.
  • Then play forward your sober choice; the pride, the clarity, the peace.
  • Use visualization as a powerful mindset tool to stay on track.

Holidays are for making memories, not losing them. They are all about coming home feeling refreshed, recharged and relaxed – not coming home needing another holiday!

With these tips in your sober toolkit, you can travel, celebrate, and live your best life with clarity and confidence.

Other things I have been loving this month……………..

New Tropic Makeup! Visit my shop link or message me to find out more www.tropicskincare.com/angiefairclough

PLUS this is very exciting…….My VIP Sober glow summer bundle offer, perfect for that sober getaway! This is only available direct through me so just message me to order!

Ten Month Transformation 10 month update on my fitness journey and I am finally starting to see the result!! Head over to my Sober Glow insta post for all the info.

And also I have finally set the date for our Sober Glow Summer social in Manchester, I would love to see you there! We have approx 5 spaces left – its the perfect opportunity to connect and share the sober inspo in person.

PLUS if you would like a Sober Glow self care pack posting out just let me know and I will get one to you. (Free if you are in the UK)

If you have any top tips for a sober holiday then please let me know in comments or share them on my you tube channel – I would love to hear from you.

As always your support means the world to me, and I promise to keep my blog more upto date for you! I now have lots of ways we can connect…….

Instagram

You Tube

Shop link 💚

Email – Weightsnotwine@gmail.com

Looking forward to sharing the Soberglow support with you!

Big Love

Angie xxx

27 Months Today!

February 21, 2019

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Today marks 27 months of my sobriety.  Not sure what that is in days so I just keep ticking the months off!!

I’m not really celebrating as such but as its half term I am going to the cinema with my girls to watch a film, with a Macdonald’s for lunch as an extra treat!

Recently I have been talking about the big changes that have been happening in my life since I stopped drinking  including moving into a different career.  And without a doubt my biggest change in my life is in my fitness and health, both of which have improved dramatically.  These are the BIG things, but the little things are just as important to!

I have mentioned previously about the guilt I used to have in the past and the increasing levels of guilt that I had as my children got older and would start to notice my drinking and hangovers.  These times made me want to change, made me want to stop so much but I just couldn’t.

A couple of these times that have really stuck with me when I felt particularly bad are linked to the cinema.  Once when I was so hung over after a night out that I had to leave the film after twenty minutes of it starting, much to my eldest daughters disappointment.  I had horrendous anxiety, felt sick and was convinced I was going to pass out it wasnt good.  I went home and went to bed, I felt so crap, I just felt like I had let her down so badly,  but that wasn’t enough for me to stop.

The second time was also a cinema trip.  We had booked to see Finding Dory later in the day after sunday lunch, I had a hangover from hell and found myself drinking the dregs of wine from one of the  bottles from the night before just to make me feel better and more “normal” to go and sit in the cinema.  Obviously after an hour in I  felt even worse and spent the whole film in a world of self-hatred and thinking how fast could I get to the loo to be sick.

It was about two weeks after this that I quit.  But from there was about 12 months in between these two events.  That’s a long time to feel crap about yourself and wanting to change but not having the strength to do so.

Because a lot of my posts are about positivity, change and living a life you love,  it makes me feel pretty sad when I write about the shitty times.  But it’s these times that got me to where I am today.  If by sharing this I can show one person that it’s possible then it is so worth it!

So today, I am up and on it, workout done and off to the cinema. Feeling fresh, strong and healthy knowing that I am giving my girl the best version of me.  It certainly is a million miles from how the drinking me felt.

If your reading this, how are you feeling about yourself right now?

  • Do you hate yourself or love yourself or at least are you on the journey of loving yourself?
  • Are you giving your children and your family and friends the best version of you or are you functioning at 50% suffering from hangovers and feeling drained most of the time?
  • Are you spending your time wishing you were someone else (I used to do this all the time) Why can’t I be the woman who has their life together? Whose mind isn’t obsessed with trying to control their drinking?
  • Are you proud of who you are?  I was ashamed and disappointed in myself every monday morning, EVERY SINGLE MONDAY!  I was constantly letting myself down – that’s a really horrible feeling.

 

Now all of the above are feelings that you don’t actually realise your walking around with most of the time.

Your aim is to get through the week, feed the kids, workout if your lucky, clean up, do your day job, smile at people and just tick off the boxes – day after day after day!  Your head is buried in all of that, you can’t see a way out.  You just don’t have the strength to fight away out of it to make a change.

What makes making the change even more difficult is when your drinking isn’t causing too many problems in your life.  So your drinking way more than you should be but your life looks pretty normal to other people.  So  no one is going to pull you to one side and say – your drinking is out of control you need help.  Because to the outside world you do look in control.

I didn’t tell anyone how much I hated myself at the time that was trying to quit.  To others I was the life and soul of the party and 90% of the time all happy, bubbly and smiling.  I was always the one who would get the most drunk, I would never be out without drinking, I would always want to stay out the latest, always wanted that next drink that other bottle.  But the guilt, regret and the hangover the next day was just soul-destroying.  I couldn’t understand how I seemed to be the only one who was feeling like this, everyone else seemed to just carry on as normal and didn’t have this guilt that I had.

It was only by setting up my blog and Instagram page that I realised there are so many others out there who feel exactly like I did and who are making the change to sobriety.  People sharing their own storied has given me so much support and I know from the comments I have received from followers that my story has done the same for them too.

How I was in the past,on certain days was nothing to be proud and I hated myself at times, but now I’m gradually learing to love myself and feel proud of what I’ve achieved.

How far have you come in your sober journey, in days, months or other achievements?

If you’re looking for daily sober inspo please find me on Instagram Liftingweightsnotwine

Thankyou for following my story – the sober support I have found on my blog and insta has been amazing – lets keep sharing the sober love!

Angie xx

 

 

 

 

Sober Celebrities ⭐️⭐️⭐️

April 29, 2018

When people think of a sober person, I’m sure uncool, boring and grey are possible words that would spring into some people’s minds! I’ve got to be honest, for a long time that’s probably what I would have thought of a non-drinker. I mean how on earth could someone be fun on a night out without having a drink?!?!

Obviously now I feel very differently and know for a fact that being sober does not make me boring, I’m nearly 100% sure that my friends and family would back me on that! I’m still up for nights out even more than before and I’ve also got this new found confidence to try things for the first time, push myself out of my comfort zone, grab life with two hands. Thats surely less boring than going home early because I’m too drunk after spilling my wine everywhere and falling over and repeating the same stories again and again!

Now as for sober not being cool, I cant really comment on my level of cool, because that would make me so not cool!!!! But you only have to look at the long list of sober celebs to see that sober doesn’t have to mean uncool or boring.

The latest list I saw was in Harper’s Bazaar and it included over 50 famous faces, detailing why they didn’t drink and what there thoughts on alcohol were. I admit some of them I had never heard of but certain celebs definitely stood out ……..

  • Bradley Cooper
  • Eminem
  • Calvin Harris
  • Lana Del Ray
  • Naomi Campbell
  • Tyra Banks
  • Rob Lowe
  • Eva Mendez
  • J Lo
  • Colin Farrell

Some have never enjoyed drinking and have hardly touched the booze, whilst others have enjoyed it too much and have had to stop. A lot state they have gone sober because alcohol started to make them feel bad both mentally and physically, and I can definitely relate to that!

So being sober doesn’t have to be boring or dull, and if anyone disagrees with you or questions that then just point them in the direction of Samuel L Jackson, Calvin Harris or 50 Cent!

Hope you enjoy reading the list!

Angie xx

The full list can be seen here from Harper’s Bazaar:-

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/g11644970/celebrities-who-dont-drink-alcohol/

 

It’s never too late to change…..

April 19, 2018

This is so true! It’s never too late to change and be who you want to be.

This photograph was taken on a walk with my husband and my two girls, on Sunday 9th October 2016. I know the date because I posted it on my Facebook page. We all have days we will never forget for good reasons and bad, and this is a day I will never forget! The Day before we had all been to a local beer festival with friends and family, then back to ours for drinks and pizza. All day I had told myself to take it easy on the drinking because we had planned this walk on the Sunday. But the drinks were flowing and Sunday’s plans went out of the window, we’ve all been there haven’t we?

So when Sunday came around I was feeling pretty crap, I was feeling exactly how I didn’t want to feel. I think the older I got the worse I felt even just after a few drinks! In a way I’m glad because if I felt fine I would never have stopped!!

So we set off, trying to motivate myself, I felt sick, spaced out and faint but I didn’t want to admit it. I was totally caught up in feeling crap but smiling on the outside! On the walk we stopped to have food ( I was planning on a carb feast to perk me up!) At this point a fell runner came past, she had a “tough mudder finisher” tshirt on, she had glowing red cheeks, was slim but not skinny and just looked so amazing healthy and strong. It was a light bulb moment for me, I just thought what am I doing???? I’m sat her feeling crap after another boozy Saturday, it’s not who I want to be, I wanted to be like she was! Healthy, glowing, strong, happy! Yes I was happy to be doing this walk with my girls but I want to be running along with them, full of energy and being 100% present, giving them the best version of me, their mum!

I thought about this for the rest of the day and how I could change, I knew I had to stop drinking, but could I do it?

We stopped for tea on the way home and I remember persuading my husband to drive because I wanted a couple of glasses of wine! How crazy is that!!! In my head I was thinking “I will start Monday”. Unfortunately it took me another month to decide to stop for good, but I will never forget seeing that fell runner in her tshirt. I’ve now booked my second Tough Mudder and can’t wait to do it again in July!

Changing how I felt physically by stopping drinking was something I really wanted to do, and for a long time I tried and failed. One day it does just click, it maybe something you see or read or just a feeling, but don’t ignore it, it’s never too late to make that change and become who you want to be. The other option is living a life always wondering “what if?” Or “I can’t do that” but you can. Whether it’s losing weight, stopping drinking, getting healthy, completing a challenge, anything that you seriously, really want to do, believe me you can do it! You just need to decide to make the change! It doesn’t matter how many starts you have, just keep on trying, if you want it badly enough you will get there, just don’t give up!

PS- my comment on this photo when I posted it on Facebook was “blowing the cobwebs away!” Now that’s something I don’t need to do anymore!

I hope the sun is shining where you are today because it feels like Spring has finally sprung here!

Angie x