#203 Our Favourite Sobriety Mantras & Quotes (feat. My Mom) Part 2

#203 Our Favourite Sobriety Mantras & Quotes (feat. My Mom) Part 2

What are the phrases that keep people sober when cravings hit or doubts creep in? This chat between Madeline Forrest and her mum rounds up their favourite sobriety mantras and quotes, and it’s packed with the kind of lines you’ll want to scribble on Post-its and stick everywhere. They start with the mantra “never question the decision,” talking about how easy it is to romanticise drinking once some time has passed.

Madeline explains fading affect bias and how she learned to trust the version of herself who was actually living the hangovers, anxiety and shame: the version who knew drinking had to go. Another big theme is building a life that makes sobriety worth protecting. One quote hits hard: “I chose sober because I wanted a better life.

I stay sober because I’m building one.” They talk about how staying stuck in “life without alcohol” thinking keeps booze centre stage, whereas “sober life” thinking shifts focus to joy, growth and meaningful routines.

They also unpack Glennon Doyle’s “we can do hard things,” with Madeline adding the twist: “it will be hard, but it will be the right kind of hard.” Drinking is hard in a way that slowly crushes you; early sobriety is hard in a way that actually leads somewhere better. There’s compassion, too, for past selves.

A quote from Emily Marushin reminds everyone: “You did the best you could with the knowledge you had in the moment.” Shame about old drinking stories gets gently reframed as part of the path that led to day one.

From fear (“forget everything and run” vs “face everything and rise”) to gratitude and the simple truth that “drinking offers a happy hour, sobriety offers a happy life,” this episode is made for anyone who loves a good mantra to cling to on wobbly days. Which of these quotes would you pin up as your daily reminder?