39. When Holiday Nostalgia Makes You Miss Drinking: How to Stay Grounded, Empowered & Alcohol-Free

Prayer: “God take my ___ and turn my attention to where you would have it be.”

The holidays have a way of bringing back memories of the good, the bad, and the ones that feel extra shiny in hindsight. If you’ve caught yourself romanticizing “drinking traditions” or feeling nostalgic about past holidays with alcohol, this episode is here to support you through it.

In today’s conversation, I’m talking honestly about what it feels like to experience the holiday season sober, the unexpected triggers, the emotional dips, the moments where nostalgia hits hard, and the incredible rewards waiting on the other side.

Inside this episode, I cover: ✨ The truth about romanticizing past drinking memories ✨ Why the brain tends to “polish the past” when you stop drinking ✨ How to create new moments that feel meaningful (not deprived) ✨ Practical tools to stay grounded and confident during parties, dinners & gatherings ✨ Why community and support make ALL the difference this time of year

The holidays can feel emotional. They can feel heavy. But they can also feel peaceful, grounding, joyful, and deeply connected — especially when you walk into them with intention and support.

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If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need to hear it too. And if you’re enjoying The Shannon McCabe Show, it would mean the world if you could take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find these conversations and start their own journey to living alcohol-free.