Hey there curious soul,
From personal crisis to creative confidence, as new doors opened in my life recently, I’ve reflected deeply on how to integrate two crucial elements of my journey – both imbued with transformation and the pursuit of unexpected joy.
A massive personal faceplant
In early 2020, as the pandemic began taking the world by storm, I found myself facing a personal crisis of epic proportions.
Within the previous few months, my family had weathered through five life-altering events. From devastating bushfires ravaging the land to the heart-breaking loss of my grandfather and a dear friend's coma, the stress seemed relentless. And like clockwork, alcohol became an unwelcome crutch and companion; turning into a real problem.
Truth be told, I'd been questioning my habits for a while. Despite maintaining a facade of functionality in my day-to-day life—steady job, cozy home, bills always paid—the fact was, I felt utterly out of control. My mental health hit rock bottom, and alcohol exacerbated the issue by clouding my emotions and numbing my true feelings.
Yes, I Googled all the questions and did the self-assessments seeking insight and direction to a troubling thought. One doused heavily in feelings of shame and guilt. Feelings that stopped me being honest with myself and those around me as to just how lost I felt.
Am I drinking too much? Signs my drinking is a problem? Can you have fun without alcohol? How do I tell someone I'm worried about my drinking? Am I an alcoholic?
Ultimately, I sought out clinical therapy but my long-term relationship crumbled. I found myself alone navigating a maze of newfound challenges—from finances to home repairs, and most importantly, learning to love and trust myself again.
But from that struggle emerged strength.
From struggle to strength
After months of intensive therapy and countless "day ones", sobriety finally took hold. I vividly remember celebrating my first week with beachside tacos and pondering how I'd navigate the weekend. Thirty days in, I had surprised both myself and those around me. And at the one-year mark, close friends gathered in my small kitchen, sipping tea and coffee, laughing (and shedding a few happy tears) as we reflected on the past year.
But around six months sober, I had faced a pivotal moment—one that could have easily sent me spiralling back into old habits. Instead, I convinced my daughters to help me haul an old wooden buffet down to the garage, where I poured my heart into transforming it. I’d read about the importance of hobbies in early sobriety and bought a piano around the same time thinking it would be my ‘new thing’. (It didn’t stick and I gave it away recently). The buffet and the piano were my anchors at that time, but little did I know, that tired and worn piece of furniture would become the catalyst for a profound journey of self-discovery.
As I learned new skills and fell in love with the process of furniture flipping, each piece I worked on became a reflection of my own growth and resilience. I was building my confidence and self-worth little by little, as well as a collection of tools I never thought I’d use!
Sober Lane Studio is born!
With new chapters and opportunities opening for me recently, I’ve spent an incredible amount of time pondering how I might bring these two very significant parts of my story together…
And so, three and a half years of sobriety and nearly 300 furniture flips later, Sober Lane Studio is here.
It's my way of sharing my story in the hopes of inspiring other women who, like I was, are questioning their relationship with alcohol or wanting to embrace their creative inner-child. My aim isn't really to coach or sell; rather, it's to challenge and inspire you to reclaim your power, to find joy and fulfilment in unexpected places, and to embrace a life that feels authentically yours.
So, welcome to Sober Lane Studio—a space where creativity, sobriety, and self-discovery converge. Let’s walk this sober lane together, one day and one flip at a time.
BIG Love!
Mara