Browsing: the sober curator

#QUITLIT

Unveiling the Impact: “Dopesick” by Beth Macy – A Powerful #QUITLIT Review

By Alexandra NymanMay 9, 20243 Mins Read

Beth Macy’s “Dopesick” is a searing indictment of the multifaceted factors that have fueled America’s opioid crisis. Through meticulous research…

SOBRIETY IN THE CITY - EVENTS

Spring Mountain Retreat in Colorado: May 30 – June 2, 2024

By Contributor to The Sober CuratorMay 8, 20243 Mins Read

Hosted by Carrie May, Founder of Brave and Mary Tilson, Founder of Sun & Moon Sober Living Both Carrie and…

LIFESTYLE

Sober Swiftie Recovery Group, Swift Steps, based out of Philly is an Eras Concert, but Make it Sober

By Alexandra NymanMay 8, 20245 Mins Read

Founded and facilitated by Northeast Philly Peer Mentor Julianne Griffin’s, Swift Steps uses a blend of Taylor Swift’s songs, lore,…

ENTERTAINMENT

Best Dressed Men at The Met Gala 2024

By Alexandra NymanMay 7, 20243 Mins Read

We gave our flowers to so many stunning avant-garde gowns yesterday with our Best and Worst Looks of The Met…

ENTERTAINMENT

The Best and Worst Looks of the Met Gala 2024

By Alexandra NymanMay 6, 20247 Mins Read

The Met Gala is held on the first Monday of May. The 2024 Costume Institute exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum…

#QUITLIT

“Greenlights” by Matthew McConaughey Memoir Sober Self-Help Club Review

By Alexandra NymanMay 6, 20243 Mins Read

“Greenlights” by Matthew McConaughey is a memoir unlike any other, but then again I think we all knew we were…

WALK YOUR TALK

Sustainable Couture: Tyrone Chablis Steals the Spotlight at Break Free

By Kate VitelaApril 23, 20244 Mins Read

Amidst the fervent buzz of New York Fashion Week, designer Tyrone Chablis stood as a visionary, presenting his thought-provoking collection…

NA BEERS AND CIDERS

All the Right Reasons: Los Angeles 20 Years Later

By Justin LambApril 18, 20248 Mins Read

In the summer of 2004, I left two restaurant jobs and moved across the country with my ex. We both…

MINNEAPOLIS / ST PAUL

SOBER IN ST. PAUL? Recovery Fitness Classes on Mondays + Fridays

By Ashley SunderlandApril 14, 20242 Mins Read

Exciting News! Amethyst Recovery Solutions has teamed up with True Earth Fitness and Pro Inspire Training to bring you something…

SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE

The Mindful Molecule: How Mindfulness Affects Our Genetic Expression

By Lane KennedyApril 9, 202411 Mins Read

In recent years, the intersection of mindfulness and DNA expression has fascinated scientists and wellness advocates alike. I’m incredibly passionate…

LIFESTYLE

Rolling Sober: My Journey of Finding Freedom on Eight Wheels

By Contributor to The Sober CuratorApril 7, 20249 Mins Read

For some odd reason I have been thinking about this Keep On Truckin’ t-shirt I had in the late 70’s…

HAPPY EVERY HOUR

Throwback Thirsty Thursday – Nine Booze-free Beverages From Our Youth That We Think Are Due For A Comeback!

By Alysse BrysonApril 4, 20247 Mins Read

Happy Throwback Thirsty Thursday! Let’s talk about the booze-free beverages of our youth. My sister emailed me over the weekend…

SOBRIETY IN THE CITY - EVENTS

41st Annual Gratitude Night – Minneapolis / St. Paul

By Ashley SunderlandMarch 23, 20242 Mins Read

Sponsored by Greater Minneapolis Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous, the 41st Annual Gratitude Night is known as the local “A.A. Prom”. If you are sober and in the greater Minneapolis area, this is an event you may want to have on your radar!

Continuing with our study of yoga philosophy, this month’s column delves into the yama, or ethical restraint, of asteya. What’s the difference between a drug addict and an alcoholic? The alcoholic will steal your wallet and run. The addict will steal your wallet and help you look for it. I’ve often pondered this old joke, which portrays the blundering drunk and the wily addict as thieves. But either way, they’re both thieves. And that’s what this month’s yoga philosophy column is about: the yogic principle of asteya, or non-stealing. Are you a thief? Back when I got sober a loooong time ago, the psychologists and counselors I talked to seemed to think many problems were unrelated. For example, my eating disorder couldn’t possibly be connected to my addiction problems, right? Wrong. Continuing research shows more and more that mental and behavioral problems often overlap and intertwine. Take stealing. Science’s current perspective seems to be that people can have shoplifting addiction or kleptomania, which sometimes correlates with substance use disorder. Researching this article, I found that in addition to teens shoplifting for thrills, it’s common for people in early recovery to steal things. Favored items include energy drinks, tooth-whitening kits, spices, and cell phone charging cables. Why? Take away substance use, and people crave a dopamine hit. The thrill of stealing petty stuff delivers. Interestingly, that buzz kill drug naltrexone takes the thrill out of drinking, drugs, and stealing. So, these things are definitely related. And if you’re sober enough to be reading this, you probably realize stealing is going to get you in trouble. So, stop it. Not only will you have better karma, but you might also stay out of jail. Okay, you’re not a thief. Or maybe this doesn’t describe you. Perhaps you were an honest drunk who never stole so much as a beer. Then asteya may sound easy. Even former juvenile delinquents might say to themselves, “Well, I’ve got that one covered. Gave up shoplifting at 15.” But there are other ways to steal, including leaning too hard on people for their time and energy. Perhaps you have a friend who’s been complaining about her relationship for years. After she spends an hour covering the same grievances you’ve heard 100 times before, she says, “I always feel so much better after talking to you.” But you don’t. You feel like you’ve been sucked dry by an energy vampire. This friend is stealing your emotional energy as well as your time. Or maybe you’re the emotional vampire! If you recognize yourself in the above description, perhaps you could be kinder to your confidantes by working through your problems in a journal, support group, or with a competent counselor. Or you could buy a pet rock to whine to so you don’t bore your cat to tears. Sometimes, we also take from each other by overusing somebody else’s skills. It’s lovely to help others out and to accept their help. But if we’re assuming that every weekend, our friend should snake our drains, clean our gutters, update our websites, hem our pants, or otherwise donate all their leisure hours to us, it’s time to learn to do these tasks ourselves or pay somebody to do them for us. Parents who work at home, self-employed people, or anybody with a flexible schedule are particular targets of time thieves. Asteya also involves not taking what is not freely offered. If we’re nagging people for favors, those favors are not being freely offered. When we steal what’s not ours, we usually operate from a place of lack or entitlement. Neither is a pretty locale. To ensure we’re not stealing, we should examine our relationships and consider whether we’re doing our fair share. Sometimes, we all face hardships and should be willing to give or take a bit more. But over time, we should strike an approximate balance. SPIRITUAL GANGSTER: Exploring Yoga Philosophy: Satya – Truth « The Sober Curator SPIRITUAL GANGSTER: Exploring Yoga Philosophy: Satya – Truth « The Sober Curator

SPIRITUAL GANGSTER

Exploring Yoga Philosophy: Understanding Ahimsa and Its Role in Sobriety and Personal Growth

By Teresa BergenMarch 17, 20246 Mins Read

Yoga is more than poses. The word yoga means “to yoke.” In this case, we’re trying to yoke our own…

READY TO DRINK

Happy Every Hour: Calm Your Holiday Spirits with This New Evening Blend from Sweet Reasons Bev Co.

By Alysse BrysonDecember 20, 20233 Mins Read

Sweet Reason Bev Co. is sure to calm your holiday spirits while you celebrate the season with their new Evening…

ENTERTAINMENT

Section Sober: Experience, Strength, and Hope (For a Decent Defense)

By Contributor to The Sober CuratorSeptember 3, 20238 Mins Read

Hey! What do you get when you cross members of the Phellowship (a group of sober Phish fans) with die-hard…

DALLAS

Dallas Peeps, Head to Beyond the Bar Bottle Shop for Zero-Proof Events, Tastings, Featured Drinks and Great Conversation

By Lisa CAugust 21, 20233 Mins Read

Beyond the Bar Bottle Shop and Events is creating a destination for the sober and sober curious offering a variety of NA beverages in Dallas.

#QUITLIT

The Sober Curator’s Holiday Book Gift Guide

By Alysse BrysonNovember 27, 202212 Mins Read

Does that sober someone in your life love to read? Give the gift of recovery books with our curated list of #quitlit that we think should be on the must-read list this holiday season!