Every year, I wonder how the Sober is the New Cool White Party can possibly get any better.

And every year, it does. 🤍

Over 40 women from Canada and the United States gathered together in New York City.

Some arrived knowing no one. Others arrived with friends.

But by the end of the evening, conversations had turned into connections, stories had turned into friendships, and everywhere I looked, women were finding pieces of themselves in one another.

There were so many moments of “me too.”

That’s where the magic happened.

It’s about becoming the best version of yourself.

It’s about surrounding yourself with people who inspire you, encourage you, and remind you of what’s possible.

It’s about living a life that feels good from the inside out.

And that spirit was everywhere in the room that evening.

Every year, the White Party gets a little bigger.

Every year, it gets a little better.

And every year, I leave with even more hope than I arrived with.

One of my favorite parts of the evening is making my way around the room and sitting at every table.

Not because I have to.

Because I want to.

I want every woman to feel welcome.

I want every woman to feel included.

I want every woman to leave with at least one new connection, one new friendship, and one reminder that she matters.

As I moved from table to table, I watched conversations begin, stories unfold, and friendships take shape right in front of me.

Photo Credit: Kim Bellas, Sober is the New Cool

By the end of the evening, it no longer felt like a room full of strangers.

It felt like people who had found each other.

That is the magic of the White Party.

At the heart of the evening was the White Heart Initiative.

A simple white heart carrying a message that has now traveled around the world:

I’m glad you exist.

The world is a better place because you’re in it.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what someone needs to hear.

I have seen tears, laughter, hugs, and moments of connection that never would have happened otherwise.

And standing in that room in New York, I was reminded once again why it matters.

Because one heart can change a moment.

And many hearts can change the world.

What makes me happiest is knowing that everyone is welcome.

Every age.

Every background.

Every story.

Everybody.

I am incredibly grateful to Nanette de Gaspé Beaubien, Sheila Mendelson, Wendy Behar, Laurie Anderson, Carol Anne Ferguson, Chella Beauty, Prima Pavé, The MAZE NYC, and everyone whose generosity helped make the evening so memorable.

Their gifts were beautiful, but the real gift was the feeling they helped create, reminding every woman that she deserves nothing but the best.

As the evening came to a close, I looked around the room and saw women exchanging numbers, making plans, hugging goodbye, and promising to see each other again.

For me, that’s what wellness looks like.

People growing together.

People becoming the best versions of themselves.

And helping others do the same.

Not an event.

Not a party.

A room where strangers arrived.

And nobody left that way.

And that’s the part I’ll remember most.

Save the date: June 4, 2027. 🤍

By Contributor: Kim Bellas, Founder, Sober is the New Cool

LIFESTYLE: Sober Is The New Cool Is A Unique Organization Started By Recovery Advocate Kim Bellas In Canada

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What is the Sober Is the New Cool White Party?

The Sober Is the New Cool White Party is an annual sober gathering created by Kim Bellas that brings women together for connection, community, wellness, and celebration without alcohol.

Where was the Sober Is the New Cool White Party held?

This year’s White Party took place in New York City and welcomed more than 40 women from Canada and the United States.

Who is Kim Bellas?

Kim Bellas is the founder of Sober Is the New Cool, a movement and community focused on sober living, connection, encouragement, and helping people become the best version of themselves.

What is the White Heart Initiative?

The White Heart Initiative is a message-driven project centered around a simple white heart and the words: “I’m glad you exist. The world is a better place because you’re in it.” The initiative is designed to remind people that they matter.

Is the White Party only for women in recovery?

The event centers sober connection and wellness, but the spirit of the White Party is welcoming and inclusive. Kim emphasizes that every age, background, and story belongs in the room.

Why are sober women’s events important?

Sober women’s events create spaces where people can connect without alcohol, share stories, build friendships, and feel seen. For many attendees, these gatherings offer a sense of belonging that can be deeply healing.

What happened at the White Party?

Women gathered for conversation, connection, shared stories, gifts, and moments of encouragement. Many arrived not knowing anyone, but by the end of the evening, strangers had become friends.

What does “Sober Is the New Cool” mean?

“Sober Is the New Cool” reflects the idea that sobriety is not about missing out. It is about living fully, clearly, confidently, and in alignment with the life you want to create.

Why does Kim Bellas describe the event as more than a party?

Kim describes the White Party as more than an event because of the emotional connection it creates. The evening is about women finding one another, feeling included, and leaving with new friendships and renewed hope.