The Creative Sober is a community of sober and sober-curious creatives looking to connect with others who are navigating sobriety, health, and spiritual awareness. The foundation of The Creative Sober is our stories and keeping an open mind towards recovery. Creative expression is a fundamental part of what we put into the world. It takes real courage to share it this with others.

Jardine Libaire

Jardine Libaire has published six novels, including HERE KITTY KITTY (Little, Brown) and WHITE FUR (Hogarth), and the nonfiction essay collection about sober hedonism called THE SOBER LUSH in 2020. She also collaborated on the creative documentary book GRAVITY IS STRONGER HERE with photographer Phyllis B. Dooney. The film Libaire co-wrote with director Drake Doremus called ENDINGS, BEGINNINGS stars Shailene Woodley whose character has just given up alcohol.

Libaire has developed one TV series for Amazon and is now developing a TV series for Universal. She facilitated the Truth Be Told personal storytelling program in Texas prisons for women from 2015-2018, an experience that made a huge impact on her life. She is from New York, spent a blissful decade in Austin, and lives in Joshua Tree now.

She’s been sober since January 8, 2013. Jardine can be found at @jardinelibaireprojects on Instagram and at www.jardinelibaire.com. She also created a series of art installations and parties with Justine Gilcrease, a few of which can be found at: www.fleursdumalsyndicat.com

Follow @thecreativesober on Instagram Hosted by Mei McIntosh

#QUITLIT: The Sober Lush: A Hedonist’s Guide to Living a Decadent, Adventurous, Soulful Life–Alcohol Free

The Sober Lush is not the book you might think it will be. #Quitlit books tend to follow a similar structure pattern: hitting rock bottom, followed by the history of addictive substance abuse (to really drive home the point of the utter desperation), and then hopefully they end soberly ever after. The Sober Lush is so much more than a collection of snackable essays on addiction and recovery.

In fact, I’m not even sure addiction and recovery have a place at this sober table. There’s no real drunkalog or steps to follow. Instead, it is a refreshing perspective on how one might reconsider living their best life to the fullest sans booze. Free from guilt or judgement, this is really more of a luscious how-to guide of zero proof self-care.

Read more here

The Creative Sober

The Creative Sober Podcast, hosted and produced by Mei McIntosh, features conversations with artists, musicians, authors, and creatives from all walks of life who continue to create sober. Check back for more podcasts, posts, and playlists from Mei McIntosh, and follow along with her on Instagram at @thecreativesober.

Check out additional posts from The Creative Sober and Mei McIntosh:

RECOVERY PODCASTLAND: Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably picked up on the podcast trend. There are so many solid, binge-worthy podcasts out there. But it’s impossible to keep up with new episodes coming out weekly. The Sober Curator is here to help. Recovery Podcastland lets you in on our favorites as we share how they help contribute to life in sobriety.

Sober Curator Pro Tip: For a quick recovery hit, listen to our recommended podcasts when driving, walking your dogs, working out, cleaning the house, working on a craft project, getting ready in the morning, or making a meal.

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.