Hello, hi, Happy Mother’s Day! 🌸

I’m coming to you early this morning from my home office. All three kids are still asleep, my husband is snoring away, and sweet Georgia pup is snoozing at my feet. My coffee, in my grateful AF mug, is hot and the milk is frothed just the way I like it (extra frothy). My new orange blossom candle is burning and it smells like summer.

It’s my 7th Mother’s Day in sobriety, which means I can’t quite remember when my plans for this day included having mimosas with brunch or red wine with dinner. That feels like a blessing in itself.

I’m going for a run in a little bit, and then I’ll head to our local nursery to buy some flowers for the pots in our backyard. It’s the midwest, which means the threat of frost delays our planting until now. Mother’s Day is the deadline when everything can begin to take root and bloom.

135 miles from me, my mom will be doing the same. We’ll both be tending to our gardens, happiest with our hands in the dirt. She taught me to love beautiful things, and how to create them. Thanks, Mom.

I hope whatever your plans today, you feel loved and appreciated. I’m sending you extra love if this day feels hard.

♥️

READING: Just a few chapters into Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth and already in love with 81-year old Mabel. She’s sassy and independent. Oh, and a murderer. I’m not there yet, but I can’t put it down.

LISTENING: Just finished listening to Her One Regret by Donna Freitas. It’s an interesting read about society’s willingness to allow moms to feel emotions about motherhood, including regret.

WATCHING: I just started watching Beef on Netflix and where have I been? It’s dark and funny, right up my alley. I binged the first season last week and can’t wait to start the second.

Each week I’ll highlight a moment from the cultural spin cycle that involves alcohol/sobriety and tell you what I actually saw.

Remember when this study came out and revealed that Gen Z was drinking less than their elders, particularly Gen X and Baby Boomers? I was asked about it on just about every podcast I was on last year to promote my book, The Sober Shift. (And while the study was promising, I was also keenly aware of other findings that show that while Gen Z is drinking less, they’re showing a significant increase in use of marijuana, psychedelics and prescription pills.)

Enter: Big Alcohol’s latest attempt to target their youngest market: BuzzBallz. These colorful balls of alcohol contain 13.5% - 15% ABV (most beers commonly range between 4% - 7% ABV), taste like candy and are going viral on TikTok.

Originally women-founded, BuzzBallz was acquired in 2024 by Sazerac and has an estimated revenue of over $500 million.

And look! They’ve released 8 limited edition flavors for the upcoming World Cup. After all, they have to get boys in on the fun, too (because you know there is no way a grown ass man is drinking a BuzzBallz).

It seems that for every study or article that highlights we’re drinking less, there is a coordinating response from Big Alcohol to make sure that doesn’t happen.

And if this all feels hopeless, there’s this…

I came across this on IG last week, and it stopped me in my tracks. Is it true? Is our influence as parents that significant? I went searching for the study and found it here.

Remember that by choosing sobriety in a society obsessed with alcohol, you’re changing generations.

I’m proud of you.

Can’t stop, won’t stop wearing these pants. They’re slightly barrel-legged, the perfect high rise with a relaxed fit. I have them in trench coat khaki and black.

shop the look

These new sunglasses for summer.

Speaking of pants, the baggier, the better, right?

If this is your first Sunday Things, welcome. I’m Suzanne: six years sober, three kids, one mission to take on Big Alcohol and show the bright side of sobriety. This is what Sundays look like here.

Start here if you want more:

• Just Between Us: She Took Me Back

• Sunday Things, No. 14

• When Sobriety Costs You Your Friends

More this week,

💛

Hi! I’m Suzanne Warye. I write about the myth of moderation, the lie of rock bottom, and the bright side of sobriety. My book, The Sober Shift, is out now — it’s the book I needed when I was stuck in the middle.

Hello, hi, happy Sunday!

Sunday Things has a new look! I’ve been trying to figure out how to share more of my daily life in sobriety —what it feels and looks like almost 6 and a half years in.

I don’t think about alcohol, and I’m not just this close to drinking. You couldn’t pay me to drink. I have as much interest in drinking as I do in doing any other highly addictive psychoactive drug: none. And it’s why I named this page Sober for Good.

Sundays are my favorite day of the week, which means I’ve come a long way from the confused, disgruntled teen who hated Sundays because it meant hanging out with my family and a hungover, depressed 25 year old who was stuck in a shame spiral for the entire day.

Now Sundays are the soul of my sobriety.

I’m so glad you’re here.

💛

LISTENING: Noah Kahn’s new album, The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs, on repeat. Music has always been my escape, and in sobriety even more so.

WATCHING: On literal pins and needles with every Summer House episode. Were they? Weren’t they? Will we ever really know?

EATING: I had this chickpea salad for dinner on Thursday night, and then again on Friday and Saturday. It’s great to meal prep and tastes even better the next day.

READING: I just finished One of Us is Dead by Jeneva Rose and well, I didn’t love it. The premise is weak and not plausible, and the characters are unlikable at best. Skip it.

Each week I’ll highlight a moment from the cultural spin cycle that involves alcohol/sobriety and tell you what I actually saw.

Did you catch RHBOH Part 2 reunion last week? Andy asked Sutton about her decision to drink less, and whether or not she agrees that she had a “problematic” relationship with alcohol. She stumbled through her answer because of course. What defines a problematic relationship with alcohol? No one knows. That question is like nails on a chalkboard to me. It perpetuates this fantasy notion that one can have healthy, non-problematic relationship with alcohol. Alcohol is poison. It’s a toxin. And it’s highly addictive. Do we ask anyone if they have a problematic relationship with cigarettes? NO. Because that would be INSANE. Meth? Nope. I swear, changing the entire narrative around alcohol is my entire goal. I’m not stopping.

The best way to shop my looks and my favorite for home and style is in the ShopMy app.

• Pretty much everything new at Boden, including this stripe cotton crew, this linen playsuit, and these linen shorts in pink zig zag wave.

• So glad it’s almost my favorite ever jumpsuit weather. Yes, I have it in three colors.

• I wore a cowboy hat! Who am I??

• My favorite look of the whole week.

If this is your first Sunday Things - welcome. I’m Suzanne: six years sober, three kids, one strong opinion about RHOBH reunion questions. This is what Sundays look like here.

Start here if you want more:

• When Sobriety Costs You Your Friends

• What to Do When Everyone Is Drinking and You’re Not

• My book, The Sober Shift: A Modern Day Guide to Living an Abundant Sober Life

More this week…

💛

Hello! Happy Sunday ☀️

Last night we took an impromptu family field trip to McDonald’s for ice cream and it felt like a totally ‘90’s move. The kids loved it - we gave them the option of bedtime or ice cream (I mean, hilarious.). We blasted hip hop and rap on the way there, windows down, singing at the top of our lungs. It’s fun to be the fun parents sometimes, you know?

I’ve been spring cleaning and purging and organizing and I never feel better than when everything is in its place.

• Not to brag, but I watched the ENTIRE Girls series last week. Yep, all 7 seasons. (I watch everything from my phone while I’m working or waiting in carline or running on the treadmill. I’m not camped out on the couch. Ugh, I wish!) Safe to say I’m on a Lena Dunham kick since listening to her book last week.

• Your Friends & Neighbors is back for the second season and I’m back in it. The first season was strong, and so far I’m not thrilled with the second season. But that won’t stop me from watching every episode. Because, you know, Jon Hamm.

• Woke up to that leaked Summer House audio from the reunion! Still following the drama closely - it just keeps getting more and more wild. Also the fact that those chronically online have started referring to West as “Midwest” and “WestTD” is just perfect. People are so clever. Team Ciara forever, obviously.

• Since so many of you like the article, “The Myth of the Adult Friend Group,” in last week’s Sunday Things, let’s continue the friendship talk with this post on “How to Make Friends as an Adult.” (See? It’s a skill and it might be something we have to learn.) Making friends as an adult can be hard (I mean, who has the time?!), and I’ve found sobriety can make it ever harder. More on that soon. (Subscribe so you don’t miss it!)

• I’ve been using these warming charcoal eye masks every time I wake up at 4 AM and can’t get back to sleep. They prohibit middle of the night doom-scrolling and works like a charm to get me back to sleep.

• My current favorite body balm for aging skin - it’s like your favorite body lotion and serum got married. It’s silky and hydrating and smells like summer. Use code SOBERMOM for 10% off.

• Found this woven planter last week and apparently it’s for outdoors, but I love the look of it in my office.

• I’ve escaped the jelly sandal trend until now, but I’m excited to wear these and maybe bring it back to the 90’s again. I ordered them in Elm Wood.

• Does my love of rivets know no end? As if my Birk sandals weren’t enough, I added these clogs to the mix.

• This was my favorite outfit so far this month.

I’m so glad you’re here. More later this week… 💛

So, I did a thing…I chopped my hair. I do this every few years, and normally I freak out. I was waiting for freak out. As she chopped, I was bracing myself. And guess what?! I didn’t freak out. I told her, all proudly, “Look at me! I’m not freaking out!” and she was like “Were you expecting to freak out?” and I was like, “Well, I never take the option off the table.”

So, yeah. I’ve been reintroduced to the bob and so far it’s going very well.

shop the look

• I started (and then finished 1.5 days later) Lena Dunham’s new book, Famesick, and I fell back in love with her quirk and brilliance and very specific comedy. How did I forget about her?! Read it. And of course, I’m rewatching Girls. It’s bringing me back to my early 30’s before marriage and motherhood even though I was am like a decade older than Hannah, Marnie, Jessa and Shosh. Half hope, half despair…

• I just finished The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose, a sequel to The Perfect Marriage. It’s twisty and pretty dark, and keeps you guessing til the end. Just the way I like it.

• This long sleeve tee is a classic that has been on repeat all spring.

• These black denim shorts remind me of being 16 and that makes me happy.

• Now that I have a bob, I need gold hoops (obvs). I just ordered these mini hoops. They’re on sale and perfect for everyday.

• Looks like I’d better brush up on my small talk. As much as I don’t love it, I need to stop avoiding it at all costs. Because it’s all connection, right?

• Does this article on “The Myth of the Adult Friend Group” make you feel seen? Me, too. I’ve mentioned in another Sunday Things that the friend group on Shrinking always makes me feel like I need a group like that in my life, while also knowing it just doesn’t exist.

• Of course you have to take this quiz yesterday. I feel like I’m J.C. Wiatt.

  Long Live

  Which Diane Keaton Character Are You?

  Diane Keaton means a lot to a lot of us—particularly those of us who favor a blazer over a blouse and know the right hat can change the trajectory of your life. I’ve been putting off writing this letter because her style (on screen and off) has been so impactful to my own way of dressing, I’ve dreaded writing about it since her passing in October. But y…

  Read more

  a month ago · 101 likes · 10 comments · Erika Veurink

Thanks for being here! Have you read Famesick yet?? Tell me everything…

Leave a comment

P.S. I wrote The Sober Shift for anyone who's starting to wonder if alcohol is the problem. Spoiler: it probably is. This book is what comes next. 💛

Our small group sobriety support sign ups are open for May!

Fresh 30 | For women who want to find freedom from moderation. If you’re examining your relationship with alcohol and aren’t sure where to start, this is a clear, supportive place to begin. Two Zoom Peer Support meetings a week, daily WhatsApp check ins and more.

Beyond 30 | For women who have built a foundation in early sobriety and want ongoing support, accountability, and connection as you move forward. One Zoom Peer Support meeting a week, daily WhatsApp check ins and more.

Everyone is still sleeping, which means I’m happy. Getting up before the rest of the house is crucial for me, and it hasn’t been happening as much as I’d like it to lately. I’ve been tired. Like, wanting-to-take-a-nap-everyday-at-1pm tired. Anyone else? Is it the weather? Perimenopause? The pollen in the air? Just…life?

And just in case you think I have my act together and everything is always peachy in sobriety (you don’t think that, do you??), I took my daughter to a birthday party yesterday and we arrived early! By ONE WEEK. Oops.

Here’s to drinking your coffee while it’s hot and carving out some time for a nap later today. 💛

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Hi! Yes, it’s Monday, not Sunday.

My first thought was to wait to post until next week since I missed Sunday, but then I remembered what I wanted for this space. I want to be able to show up without having my shit together. I don’t want it to be perfect curated. And so…this week Sunday Things is Monday Things. 🙃

We’re home from the beach and I can’t tell you how damn good it feels not to need a vacation after my vacation. I feel rested and connected and ready for everything this month is going to throw at me.

(Coffee) cheers to a new week! Thanks for being here. 💛

It’s been awhile since a podcast this good has come out. It has pop culture, a paternity scandal, and wild Scamanda vibes. SO GOOD.

Ready to go back to the 90’s for an hour? My brother and I are back with another Brand New Information episode, and this time we’re talking about Nintendo’s Hotline, Cost Cutters and so much more.

If you’ve ever been on and off in sobriety, today’s The Sober Mom Life episode with Erin Washington is for you.

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Hello from Florida!

We’ve escaped the cold and are basking in the sun for a week and I couldn’t feel more grateful.

But first, here are a few things I’m scrolling, wearing, eating and reading…

• “The Fake Cartier and the Fake Rockefeller: How a pair of blue blood imposters turned party crashing in the Hamptons and Palm Beach into a business.” I came across this story during one of my “I can’t sleep so I’ll scroll” sessions and it hooked me. It’s straight out of American Greed. I can never understand how people have the gall to straight up lie and build their lives on that lie. Do you think they can sleep at night? Nah, right?

• Oh, man. I can’t wait for the Audrey Hepburn movie on the making of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I’ve loved Audrey Hepburn since high school and remember watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s for the first time and being captivated by Holly Golightly. She was funny and free-spirited and beautiful and complicated and I wanted to be her. I think a rewatch is in order. (Also interesting to hear from Audrey’s son and the idea that Marilyn Monroe was originally set to play the role. So glad she didn’t.)

• By now we’ve all seen the footage of Justin Timberlake’s DUI arrest. He fought like hell to keep that from happening, but justice, I guess? I keep wondering what Jessica Biel is feeling and thinking about all this…

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Hello! Hi. I’m back after a little hiatus. Work and life got in the way, but I’m excited to bring you today’s Sunday Things. So grab a cup of coffee, ignore everyone around you, and dive in… 🤎

• I just started Strangers by Belle Burden last week and I can’t put it down. It’s got the glamour of an NY socialite, the realities of the pandemic and the horror of a sociopathic husband. And…it’s a true story.

• Survivor 50 is finally here! We watch the show as a family every Wednesday night. Sure streaming is great, but there’s something about appointment television.

• I’m all caught up on the latest Shrinking season, and while it’s completely far-fetched and no one is that connected or witty all the time, I still firmly believe Brian is one of the funniest characters written and I wish he and Gaby were real so I could find them and make them be my friends.

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Hello from snowy Chicago! After a few days of warmer weather, we’re back to freezing temps and snow on the ground. I know it’s only February, but I’m ready for spring - anyone else?

Here are some things from the last week. Enjoy!

good reads.

Last week I finished listening to Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh. I kept seeing it on best of thriller lists, and I’ve had it my library for a few months. I tried it last year and only got through a few pages. I guess the vibe was off or something. I’m so glad I went back to it because WOW. This book is so twisty-turny right up until the end. If you’re into thrillers, you’ll love it (even if it starts a little slow).

I also finished His & Hers by Alice Feeney on my Kindle last week. I’m not easily grossed out or spooked by thrillers, but this one got me. I have mixed feelings about it. There are some plot points that don’t feel super believable, and I need my thrillers to be plausible. Despite that, it’s a compelling read, if a little too unbelievable. Another one that’s very twisty turny.

I’m currently reading My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney and so far I’m liking it much better.

What are you reading?

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Happy Sunday from the Northwoods. 🤎

We were faced with a long weekend with minimal plans, so yesterday we decided to hop in the car and drive north to visit my mom in Wisconsin.

I love this little getaway, and while I’ve complained more than once about her weak WiFi signal, I’m actually loving the idea of being offline.

And so, today it’s just one Sunday Thing…

Coming home, unplugging, and connecting.

Thanks for being here.

More later this week.

💛

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(Also trying very hard not to stay glued to my phone for Nancy Guthrie updates.)

I’m so glad you’re here.

💛

resurface.

I lasered my face off on Friday! This is my second MOXI laser, and I’m a big fan. It’s not super painful - it’s like this little hot rolling thing that they roll over your face 5 times. The pain is about a 6 out of 10, maybe up to an 8 out of 10 in super spicy areas like my forehead. It feels like you have a really bad sunburn for about a day, and then your skin feels (and looks) like sandpaper for a few days before everything sloughs off.

It helps with sun damage, fine lines and texture. I did my face, my neck and my chest.

I took this pic last night before bed last night. You can see all the little scabby pinpricks. Gross! Anything for glowing skin though, amiright?

I’ll share a skin update in next week’s Sunday Things. (Also, should I share a post on my skincare routine, lasers and injections included?? Let me know.)

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Hi, friends!

I’m so happy you’re here (or that I’m here with you in your inbox). It was another long week of a sick kiddo at home with me and way too many cancelled plans. It was tough.

My girl’s birthday party was scheduled for today, but we made the call yesterday to reschedule it because she woke up with this damn fever that just won’t break. There were a lot of tears and it was one of those moments in motherhood that feels impossible. My heart hurt for my girl - she’d been counting down to her party for weeks. 😢 Does it matter in the grand scheme of everything else going on in the world? No. But to her and her little world, it was big. And maybe that’s all that matters.

Here’s to a brighter week with (ALL MY FINGERS CROSSED), no one home sick.

Hi, Houston.

Thursday morning I was live on Great Day Houston to promote The Sober Shift! And yes, I’m wearing way more makeup than I do in my everyday life. I’ve learned the hard way that I’ll looked washed out on TV if I don’t over do it, so… bring on the blush.

This is my 3rd time on TV, so I pretty much know what to expect at this point. It was a bit different this time because it was on Zoom from the comfort of my own closet. I prefer the in person version - it’s easier to connect with host that way.

I’ve not really been tripped up during an interview yet…until now. You guys. I can’t remember the exact wording (and I’m definitely not going to watch the clip of me), but she asked me something like: “To clarify, you’re not saying my nightly glass of wine every night is bad, right?”

UMMMMMMMM.

I blacked out (ha) and can’t remember how I answered. You can see for yourself…

watch it here

(P.S.: This is the sweater I’m wearing! It’s a great closet staple and it’s on sale.)

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I’m so glad you’re here.

I hope you’re reading this while you’re cozied up in your favorite blanket with a cup of hot coffee and absolutely zero plans ahead of you. (Yeah, that’s probably wishful thinking about the plans, but the coffee?)

Last week was tough.

My little guy was home sick with me ALL week, which meant a lot of canceled plans for me and a lot of slowing down to enjoy snuggles in bed with him. By Thursday he was feeling better, and I was looking forward to having a quiet house on Friday to get some stuff done. And then…school was cancelled because it’s like -2428 degrees outside. So, yeah.

Safe to say I won’t be sharing a What I Wore recap post on IG this week, since I spent most of my days looking like this…

at least I’m not hungover.

I repeated that to myself at least 27 times yesterday as my alarm went of at 5:30AM and my oldest and I headed to her swim meet (that I kept waiting to be cancelled because everything else was). It was -4 degrees out (-25 with windchill) and it was my turn to volunteer to help at the meet.

I was the Safety Marshall, which sounds way more intense than it was. I wore a little yellow vest, sat on deck by the girls’ locker room door and made sure only athletes entered. I spent the rest of the 4 hours saying “walk!” to kids, which really brought me back to my lifeguard days at Noah’s Ark (America’s Largest Waterpark IYKYK), and watching my girl swim.

We returned to the meet last night because she made it to the finals (yay!) in the 100 fly. If you’ve never witnessed an 11 year old swim butterfly for 100 yards, I highly recommend it. It’s tenacity and determination and pure grit.

It was a long, cold, good day.

allons-y.

One glance my way and it may look like I’m just standing at the stove making mac and cheese for my kids, but I’m actually wondering how much progress Taryn Smith has made today on her solo (3000 mile!) row across the Atlantic. If you’re not following her, I’m going to need you to start. It’s inspiring and harrowing and brings so much perspective to my days. She’s been rowing for 42 days - it’s been estimated it’ll take her 2-3 months. Go, Taryn!

(Also fun fact, “allons-y” means “let’s go” in French, and it’s what I say to my kids every time we’re getting ready to leave the house.)

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The Sober Mom Life Cafe: (For any sober or sober curious woman, no matter length of sobriety) A private Facebook group, 6 Peer Support Zoom meetings a week, plus monthly book club

Fresh 30: (For those sober curious or in the first 30 days of sobriety) Small group support (15 women max), 2 Peer Support Zoom meetings a week, dedicated WhatsApp for daily check-ins.

Beyond 30: (For those beyond the first 30 days of sobriety) Small group support (15 women max), 1 Peer Support Zoom meeting a week, dedicated WhatsApp for daily check-ins.

I’m excited to kick of a new weekly series, Sunday Things.

And because I need to remind myself more than anything, I’ll say it at the top: by weekly series, I mean most weeks. I’m not going for perfection.

So…most weeks you’ll be able to come to this space and find a few things I’m loving from my last week.

routine.

It took a little bit, but I’ve gotten back to a weekly workout routine that works for me. I’m doing hot yoga a few mornings a week, and while my first thought when my alarm goes off at 5 AM is always UGH, I’ve never regretted turning my mind off and letting my body do what it knows how to do. And I’m always thankful I made it happen. Always.

late to the game.

I don’t know how I’ve just discovered Fredrik Backman, but man, I can’t get enough of his books. I just finished Anxious People and gave it 5 stars immediately upon completion. He captures the ordinary, complexities of human life and connection beautifully. I fell in love with each character, despite their flaws and shortcomings (or, more likely, because of them). I’m starting A Man Called Ove next. Stay tuned.

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