When I first got sober, I was still active on Myspace. So yeah, I’ve been doing this for a little while now, since 2006. All these years, I’ve spent so much time and energy thinking about creating a website focused on sobriety and recovery. I fancied I’d write that memoir or launch that podcast one day, but I never did. They’ve always just been ideas in my head. I’m confident I could provide a long list of excuses for not starting until now, but does that even really matter? Nope. It sure doesn’t. A wise person once told me it doesn’t matter what you think; it only matters what you do.
Now, it’s the summer of 2020, and I’m finally getting started. Nothing like a global pandemic to finally kick my ass into gear. What does a middle-class white girl with no college education have to offer on the topics of recovery and sobriety? Solid question. I only have my personal experiences tossed in with all the books, websites, movies, and podcasts I’ve read, watched, and listened to over the years.
Going for it
So, as I start to dip my sober toe into the pool of recovery on the World Wide Web, I thought the best place to start would be to highlight those who have gone before me, sharing their experiences, their strengths, and their hopes through their words and on their websites. They created safe places for me to read their thoughts and identify with their pains, sometimes with laughter and sometimes with tears, as they exposed their ugly truths before getting sober and their journeys after they put down the bottle. In no particular order, I bring you my top seven female bloggers in recovery.
Top 7 female bloggers in recovery we are following right now
Glennon Doyle
First, the fabulous Glennon Doyle and her blog Momastery. I discovered her book, Love Warrior, before I discovered her blog. I love her sharp and witty banter. She’s direct and brings a humorous approach to all the curveballs life has thrown her.
Her most recent book, Untamed, wasn’t on my nightstand for over a few nights. I powered right through it, feverishly turning each page. One of the stories in her book involves something she did in high school, and it blew my mind! I think I said out loud, “NO WAY!” while reading it. Talk about identifying. I did the same thing, which I’ve always felt guilt and shame over. (I won’t tell you what it is; read the book, and you’ll figure it out)
This is a perfect example of the power of storytelling and why humans in recovery from alcoholism desperately need to feel the need to connect with others who have the same (or similar) dark secrets. Reading that story reaffirmed that I’m not alone and that I’m not so different after all. Pro tip on Glennon: She sells some cute merch in her Zazzle shop.
#addtocart
Jenny Lawson
Next up is The Bloggess, who claims to be like Mother Teresa, only better. Topping the New York Times Best Seller list TWICE, Jenny Lawson captures the humor and pain of living with mental illness. I came across Jenny’s blog after I picked up her book, Furiously Happy.
I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but in this case, the cover has a raccoon dancing in gold confetti, looking like he wants to give you a big old hug. The title says “Furiously Happy – a funny book about horrible things”. Hello…count me IN! Jenny’s dark and cheeky humor made me laugh until tears fell.
You’ll also want to read her memoir Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, which features a tiny white mouse wearing a cape. This gal is FUNNY in all capital letters. Sober Curator Pro Tip: She also has a merch store on Zazzle. I am seriously considering ordering the Rory the Racoon face mask and freaking people out when I go to walk my dogs. And as if that was enough, she also published a super cool book called You Are Here, featuring many of her drawings. (right around ten years into my sobriety, I became obsessed with coloring books, and this was one of my favs)
The Luckiest Club
The Luckiest Club exists to guide, encourage, and support brave truth-seekers looking to embark on a personal journey to sobriety from alcohol. They provide empathetic direction, easy and accessible connection, and a community of like-minded swashbucklers. No matter how far along you are in your sobriety adventure, we know that online sobriety help, a talented cast of leaders, and a caring community can make all the difference.
Their mission is to spark personal discovery on a quest for freedom. They know there isn’t one “correct” path to alcohol recovery because we know each person has a unique story and an individual destination. It doesn’t matter if you are back to day 0 or are celebrating year 15; their online alcohol-free community is here to give you strength and to rejoice in your human experience.
A bit more rebellious than other sobriety groups, they’re unabashedly honest, reflective, persistent, brave, and compassionate. They believe sobriety is the greatest adventure you’ll ever embark on, and we’re here to support you the whole way through.
She Recovers
Based in Canada, She Recovers is a nonprofit public charity whose mission is to inspire hope, reduce stigma, and empower women in or seeking recovery for behavioral health issues and other life challenges so they can increase their recovery capital, heal themselves, and help other women to do the same. They have a very robust following on Facebook, and their website is full of resources, including online events, coaching, podcasts, yoga, and more.
Laurie McAllistor
Across the pond in the UK, Girl and Tonic are winning the clever blog name game. Laurie McAllistor is originally from Norfolk, spent some time in London, and is now on a new adventure in Cambodia. She’s a yoga teacher, has a career in marketing, has been featured in multiple well-known publications, and loves to boss around her two miniature sausage-shaped dogs. What started as an anonymous journal has become a shining example of how much fun and freedom you can find living a sober life. Laurie walks her talk and consistently blogs once or twice a month.
Unpickled
Another Canadian and founder of UnPickled, Jean, regularly shares how she secretly quit her habit of secretly drinking. Jean shares that she started the blog on her very first day without alcohol—talk about bravery! The comments on her posts make it clear that she has impacted the lives of many around the globe.
Holly Whittaker
Hip Sobriety blogger and author of Quit Like a Woman Holly Whittaker freely talks about her radical choice to stop drinking in a world obsessed with alcohol. She also founded the Hip Sobriety School, which has recently changed its name to The Tempest. The school offers weekly videos and coaching sessions and can perfectly complement the 12-Step program or therapies you are currently part of.
Who are you obsessed with?
Do you have a sober blogger you’re obsessed with? We want to hear about them! Please email us at thesobercurator@gmail.com or DM us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
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.
