A box of LEGO bricks may not look like a recovery tool, but the lessons are surprisingly familiar: follow the instructions, take it one piece at a time, stay present and make room for play. Tamar Routly explores what a plastic brick from Denmark can teach us about building a sober life that actually holds.
Author: Tamar Routly
For most of my adult life, I carried two secrets like heavy stones in my pockets. The first was my battle with alcohol, which I thought I’d perfected the art of hiding. I told myself I was the polished, high-functioning alcoholic climbing the corporate ladder, checking all the boxes, and holding it together. But, let me tell you, when I got drunk, things got sloppy. People probably saw more than they let on. Maybe they didn’t know how to tell me. Maybe I pretended not to notice. Either way, I was the one living the lie — part of the…
From bedazzled big books to a beloved dog named Karma, discover how pop culture collectibles and personal stories come together to celebrate sobriety with flair. Introduction: Where Recovery Meets Sass and Collectibles If you imagined a mashup of “Antiques Roadshow,” “Comedy Central,” and a sober support group, you’d land squarely in the glitter-filled chaos that is The Sober Curator’s Tchotchke Showdown. Hosted by the ever-charismatic Tamar Routly (aka T. Bouge), the podcast’s first-ever showdown pulled together eclectic treasures, competitive storytelling, and a panel of lively sobriety experts. Packed with laughter, nostalgia, and moments that tug at the heartstrings, the showdown…
Embarking on a sobriety journey is a brave and transformative decision, but maintaining the motivation to stay on this path can be challenging. Equipping yourself with practical strategies and a robust support system is essential to keep your resolve unwavering. The tips outlined below will guide you through various aspects of your life, helping you stay focused, inspired, and committed to your recovery. 1. Find Your Tribe One of the most significant factors in staying motivated is surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals. Join a group or community where members share similar goals and lifestyles. Whether it’s a 12-step program, a…
12 Tips To Staying Motivated on Your Sobriety Journey From Sobriety For Dummies by Lane Kennedy + Tamar Medford Embarking on a sobriety journey is a brave and transformative decision, but maintaining the motivation to stay on this path can be challenging. Equipping yourself with practical strategies and a robust support system is essential to keep your resolve unwavering. The tips outlined below will guide you through various aspects of your life, helping you stay focused, inspired, and committed to your recovery. 1. Find Your Tribe One of the most significant factors in staying motivated is surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals.…
The Countless Reasons to Choose Sobriety From Sobriety For Dummies by Lane Kennedy + Tamar Medford The decision to embrace sobriety is often influenced by a myriad of compelling reasons. Whether it stems from a personal epiphany, a health scare, or a nudge from loved ones, this choice marks a significant turning point in one’s life. While each individual’s journey is unique, the benefits of living a sober life are universally profound and far-reaching. Sobriety offers a renewed sense of clarity, emotional stability, and physical well-being that reverberates through every aspect of daily life. It provides an opportunity for personal growth,…
Ward Richmond once epitomized the high-flying life of a commercial real estate broker, where client entertainment often revolved around excessive drinking. But the illusion that alcohol enhanced social skills and curbed anxiety caught up with him—fast. Richmond’s journey from an alcohol-reliant socialite to a spiritually grounded sober individual is both inspiring and relatable for anyone struggling with addiction. In this interview, we will explore Richmond’s transformative story and how sobriety has reshaped his personal, professional, and creative life. YouTube Link Sobriety and Spirituality: Richmond’s True North Richmond’s tale of overcoming his addiction began in late 2015 when he made his…
Unlocking 12 Health Benefits of Sobriety: A Comprehensive Look From Sobriety For Dummies Embarking on the journey to sobriety is one of the most transformative decisions you can make for your overall well-being. It’s a question many have pondered: “What are the health benefits of sobriety?” The answer is both extensive and profound. Sobriety offers a myriad of benefits that touch every aspect of your life, from physical health to mental clarity, emotional stability, and social well-being. By removing alcohol and drugs from your life, you open the door to a healthier, more vibrant existence. The changes are not just…
As I sat down to write my first book, Hope Elevated, I had no idea this journey would catalyze a profound personal transformation. In the beginning, I was unaware of the series of events that would soon unfold, ultimately leading me to confront and embrace my sexuality. Throughout my sobriety, I often questioned if my story was even worth sharing. I had a loving family and a good upbringing. Yet, there was one thing that set me apart: a genetic predisposition to addiction. The actual trigger for my descent into addiction, though, was the heavy secret I carried. It was…
Even though I have a genetic predisposition to addiction, a significant reason I started drinking was my inability to accept who God made me to be. I knew I was different, but fear kept me from admitting it. Instead, I turned to alcohol, spending the next 22 years getting blackout drunk and trying desperately to force myself into heterosexual relationships. It took me 46 years, including ten years into my sobriety journey, to finally find the courage to explore my sexuality. I am incredibly lucky because I had supportive friends and family who encouraged this journey. Sadly, many others are…
My name is Tamar, and I am an alcoholic. While saying these words once carried the weight of shame and fear, today they empower me. When I embraced the truth about my inability to drink normally, it opened doors to a life I never imagined possible. It took me twenty-two long years to confront my drinking problem and still another decade after getting sober before I came to accept my truth and live it fully: I am attracted to women. Remember the game Truth or Dare? I recall playing it for the first time at age twelve. While most of…
Sobriety is a journey that requires a great deal of strength and resilience. It is a process of breaking free from addiction and regaining control over one’s life. While the journey may be challenging, many people find that tapping into their higher power or god can provide them with the support and guidance they need to stay on track. One of the most important reasons to tap into your higher power or god in sobriety is that it can provide a sense of purpose, meaning and guidance. Addiction can leave people feeling lost and without direction, but connecting with a…
Personal empowerment is independence. It is using your strengths, capabilities, and knowledge to tackle life. It is about choosing to direct your life no matter what obstacles or challenges may come your way. Personal empowerment is about taking charge of your life and understanding that you have the power to make it what you want. Instead of allowing it to wear you down or others to control your thoughts and actions, personal empowerment embraces life and encourages you to take the necessary steps to be in control and stay in control. STEP ONE: Be Assertive and Take Action It’s rare…
Do you have any bad habits you can’t seem to kick? Here is an example that I think so many of us can relate too. Have you ever decided to go on a diet, stuck too it for a length of time and then decided to eat one thing off plan to find yourself right back into overindulging? You are not alone! Bad habits can be hard to break but here are a few ways that you can get started. Develop a Practice Did you know that breathwork can improve anxiety levels and lower cravings? This awareness can help you stay…
Staying energetic throughout work is something most people around the world struggle with. While proper diet, sleep, and hydration certainly play a role, many other factors can contribute. The simple fact of not wanting to do the work or being in the wrong career can quickly drain your energy too. Nothing is worse than trying to get through your daily work tasks while struggling to keep your eyes open. Thankfully, you can incorporate many tips and tricks into your everyday life to manage it much more easily. These five tips will help you stay energetic at work to maximize productivity.…
Have you reached a point in your life where you thought, “WTF! I can’t take this anymore!” Unfortunately, it takes most of us to reach that point before we’re willing enough to make the change required to release the stress, tension, and frustration that goes along with hitting our breaking point. Why is it that we can’t stop repeating the same mistakes over and over and expecting different results? Why has stress become such a normal part of our daily lives? Why don’t we do something about it sooner? We continue to do things like hiding the secrets we think…
In this episode of, You’re Sober! Now What? Podcast, Tamar, and Lane talk about emotional sobriety and why it’s important in order to develop long-term recovery. Brought up in our conversation today: INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT (TRANSCRIPTION IS NOT PERFECT): Lane: This is my friend, Tamar Medford, Tamar: And this is my friend Lane Kennedy. Lane: And we’re here hanging out with you, talking about all good things. Tamar: So if you’re a gen X-er because we were talking about the music and the trends of the nineties. That was a good time. Lane: So good. Tamar: So good. Lane: So good. And I just happened to get sober…
If you ask five different people their idea of success, you will likely get five different answers. This is because everyone’s version of success is different. According to the dictionary, success is defined as accomplishing an aim, purpose, or objective. You are likely successful when you do a set of actions that result in achieving a goal. Learning how everyone identifies success can help you understand yourself better to unlock more opportunities and achieve everything you want in life. Here are seven forms of success to achieve more in life Inner Success Your inner success includes your emotional success –…
Taking action is the most important thing you can do to accomplish your goals. While planning is a crucial first step, it should never be your primary focus. Without action, you have nothing. Take Control and Identify Your Resistance To take control, you must figure out what is holding you back. Overthinking or procrastination are not the causes. They are the result of your resistance. The truth within you that must discover if you want to keep moving forward. Often overthinking is due to fear. Fear of making mistakes, stepping outside of your comfort zone, or simply the unknown. Whatever…
If you are newly sober, I want to take a minute to congratulate you for making what may be the best decision of your life. For many who struggle with alcohol addiction, we are forced to make this choice based on the mess we created in our lives. For me personally, there really was no other option. I’m sure I could have dug my bottom much deeper, but I think when you get to the point where you don’t want to live anymore that’s deep enough. Deciding to get sober is only the first step of many steps to come.…





















