Exciting Changes, New Content, Heartfelt Thanks

What’s coming for Sober Soulful in 2025 and beyond

Real quick: if you’re a regular reader of Sober Soulful, I’d love for you to hit the little ♡. It offers “social proof” and lets others know there’s something useful here. The more people become subscribers, the more time I can devote to Sober Soulful, which I consider my most meaningful work. xo

Dearest Reader,

I wanted to take a moment to check in, say thank you, and offer a hint or two about what’s next for Sober Soulful.

First and foremost, thank you! I launched the first version of this newsletter in 2012. It has gone through a number of iterations since then (haven’t we all? 😂), and some of you have been reading since what feels like lifetimes ago. My heart overflows with gratitude for your continued presence.

When I moved my newsletter to Substack in July 2022, there were around 500 of you. Today, Sober Soulful has grown to 3,504 subscribers, including 182 paid supporters who make this newsletter possible.

Words aren’t enough to express how grateful I am for each and every subscriber and reader, but I will say this: growing this newsletter has not only provided a much-needed source of income but also offered gifts that mean way more to me than dollar signs. Writing is how I share what’s in my heart, and by being here, you’re giving me a place to do that. Without you, part of my heart would be lonely.

Second, I’m spending December preparing some exciting new things behind the scenes.

In the meantime, here’s what’s available to you this month:

You can still look forward to the monthly edition of the Sobriety Series, and the series archive is available for anyone needing extra support during the holidays.

Be sure to check out SoberStack™ if you haven’t in a while—I update this free, annotated directory of sobriety-focused newsletters monthly (there are 164 of us now!).

The December Community Pop-Up is live as well, and offers an opportunity to share and connect with others. This month’s discussion focuses on physical caretaking. I’d love to know: What helps you feel good in your body?

As the new year approaches, food noise and thoughts about our bodies are likely to get loud. Possibly very loud. If you haven’t already, I urge you to read the recent 3-part series on Quieting Food Noise (Without Ozempic), which you can find here:

• Part 1 provides a foundation for anyone interested in quieting food noise (or other unhelpful thoughts and cravings) naturally.

• Part 2 shares 7 practices for internal (mental & emotional) caretaking.

• Part 3 offers 9 practical steps for external (body & physical) caretaking and shares what I personally do to take care of my physical body and quiet food noise.

*Tip: Parts 2 and 3 are comprehensive, practical, step-by-step guides that you may want to bookmark for later—perhaps as you contemplate your January goals, resolutions, or intentions.

The monthly My Soulful Life column (personal shares from my life in Thailand) will be on pause for December but will resume in January. You can find the most recent edition (featuring foot massages, hot peppers, and basement scorpions!) here.

And, if you’re hungry for more heart-sourced, no-bullshit insights on addiction, sobriety, and being human, find popular free essays here.

Meanwhile, on the last weekend of December, watch your inbox for something shiny and new!

I don’t want to give it away just yet, but think: a bite-sized, nourishing treat in your inbox a couple times a month (in addition to Sober Soulful’s other offerings).

This new series will be food- and body-focused, blending heart-sourced guidance and inspiration with a grounded, realistic approach. Think of it as the perfect ongoing complement to the more robust, standalone Food Noise series as well as additional Food & Body essays and resources I have planned for the new year. *Access to this new feature will be a perk for paying subscribers, but the inaugural edition in December will be free.

And…more cool things are on the way! My brilliant editor/strategist/newsletter whisperer, Erin Shetron, and I have a few plans in the works that aren’t quite ready to share, but just know that I’m excited for what’s ahead in 2025. Even thinking about it makes me high on creativity, which I’ll be channeling into this newsletter—a newsletter and community that you help make possible.

To access everything at Sober Soulful, including new Food & Body content coming in January, you can upgrade your subscription here:

And to everyone reading, thank you from my heart. I appreciate you, I love you, I’m wishing you a beautiful December and beyond. ❤️

Dana