You are going to want to get to know DJ Missing Mei, Founder of The Creative Sober. Mei is most certainly used to being in the spotlight with her mad musical mixing skills and creative talents. That said, we want to highlight what an asset she has become to the sober community and the sober online community in such a short time.
The Creative Sober is a community of sober and sober-curious creatives. Seems pretty straightforward, right? This community is looking to connect and unite with others who are navigating sobriety, health, and spiritual awareness. They believe that every journey is unique and they truly want to hear what’s working for you. Come where you are in your recovery. There’s room on this sober stage for everyone! The foundation of the Creative Sober is in the storytelling. Stories that keep an open mind towards recovery, the creative expression we put into the world, and the courage to share it with others.
Sober Spotlight Q&A with DJ Missing Mei
DJ Missing Mei sobriety anniversary is July 1st, 2019. She launched The Creative Sober in September 2020, just a month after we launched The Sober Curator. When I realized she was also located in the gorgeous, and yes sometimes rainy, Pacific NW, I knew we’d become friends. Then when she reached out to me for my address because she had learned of my love of stickers for my sticker collection, I knew something special was in the works for this newfound friendship.
Favorite NA Beverage of Choice:
I really love the DRY Botanical Bubbly Lavender and the Wild Berry Ginger Brew Dr.
To Legit…Too Legit to #QUITLIT:
Just kidding! But chatting with DJ Missing Mei brings out my inner nerdy 90s lyrics jokes. Here’s what Mei had to say about her favorite #QuitLit books: “Oh my goodness, there are so many that helped me in early recovery. ‘Quit Like a Woman‘ by Holly Whitaker – it gave me fire! The other book was ‘soulnotskin’ by Jen Slumac – it made me feel seen.
Advice to someone new in recovery that is also a business owner:
I would nudge the conversation around self-care. The business owner’s drive can look very different from that of someone who is working a 9-5 job. In early sobriety, your self-care is vital for the success of staying sober. You are taking the time to heal your body, sort through thoughts and feelings, and find a purpose that seems to be a result of sober living, whether it’s helping others or even possibly reevaluating the mission statement of your own company.
How did recovery benefit your business?
- #1. More Energy
- #2. More Clarity
How do you practice self-care?
I’m really into growth and healing, so when it’s time for just me, you can find me focused on a self-improvement passion. That can vary from mindset practice to body poses in yoga. If I am not doing self-improvement I am messing around with music, finding new tracks, mixing or noodling on my guitar — continually changing, continually growing!
Going public with recovery can be intimating. What tips can you share?
When going public about your sobriety, it helps to know why and will it be helpful to you. Recovery is a personal journey. There is no one way. Some situations may have a consequence for recovering out loud, like a job, or just not being ready to take a step like that. On the other hand, being public about your recovery may help you stay accountable, find connections with others that you never knew were there, and help others through your story.
If you could go backward and tell your newly sober self one piece of advice, what would it be?
I would say that I didn’t have to bear and grin it, as I did. That it’s okay to choose not to be in specific environments even if it was planned months ago. Shift the obligation for my well-being rather than having to stick with the plan.
What are you most proud of in business or in recovery?
I’m proud that both are steadily growing and co-existing with each other.
What are the main differentiators for your business?
It’s who it’s meant to support, the sober and sober-curious creative.
Time to show off! What cool stuff are you up to that we can promote?
The Creative Sober Podcast, Sunday IG LIVE, REBOS DJ Sessions, Sunday Painter, and the Creative Sober Quotes
Sober Curator Pro Tip: DJ Missing Mei is also now a Sober Curator. We will be adding her podcast content to our Recovery Podcastland section of the site on a regular basis. Check out her interview with Alli Bratt: Healing Through Art HERE.
Pay it Forward!
DJ Missing Mei told us that her favorite nonprofit organizations include the National Brain Tumor Society and the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. Both are important to her for personal reasons.
Sober Curator Pro Tip: If you are interested in getting more involved in your community, there are many recovery nonprofit organizations out there that would love to hear from you. HERE is a list we’ve been curating in our Pay it Forward section. Did we miss a good one? Get at us! Building out the ultimate sober resource takes a village. You can email us at thesobercurator@gmail.com or DM us on any of our social media channels.
SOBER POP(Culture) Lighting Round
At The Sober Curator, sober pop culture is our jam. We could talk about it all day, every day. Pop culture shapes generations. The trends, the fashion, the events, all the things. Addiction is an underlying current that keeps a steady beat from generation to generation. Recover out loud and you can be part of breaking the stigma surrounding it.
Guilty Pleasure:
Pop Culture. (This answer solidified why DJ Missing Mei and I will become sober Pacific NW besties)
Favorite Pop Culture Moment:
1980s.
Sober Curator Fun Fact: OMG We like totally love the 80s too! So much so, you might want to check out this Throwback Thirsty Thursday review we did of the drinks from our childhood. You know, the ones that didn’t have booze in them.
What’s on your Music Playlist?
It doesn’t even seem fair to ask this of a professional DJ, but we did anyway. Here’s what DJ Missing Mei had to say: Ariana Grande, Maggie Rogers, Halsey, Zhu, Glass Animals, Drake, Katy Perry, Bon Iver, John Mayer, Fleetwood Mac, Hozier, Grace Askew, Mow Mow, Evolwalks, Purple Disco Machine, Washed Out, Purity Ring, Tove Lo, jackLNDN, Nora En Pure, King of Leon, 432 Hz meditation, Deep Tech, IBIZA mix, Dark Wave, and Yacht Rock.
What’s on your Podcast Playlist?
- Sober Curious
- A Sober Girls Guide
- The Brendon Show
- Lightworkers Lounge
- New Earth Central
- The Creative Sober
What are your go-to meditation practices?
Yoga, Binaural Beats, Crystal Grid Grounding
Hopefully, you are now following The Creative Sober on social media. This section of our site highlights extraordinary people in recovery. Sober small business owners doin’ their thing gives us all the feels. We also spotlight brands that cater to sober living and give back to recovery. Who is making a difference in your recovery community? If you know someone we should spotlight please connect with us. Hey, maybe it’s you! You can reach us at thesobercurator@gmail.com or DM us on social media.
Check out this amazing Spotify Playlist that DJ Missing Mei put together for our SOBER POP(Culture) Club on the new Clubhouse App.
Resources are available
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
