Nothing recruits courage like watching someone use hers

Hi friend,

Confession: my youngest leaves for college next weekend. I am coping by watching Girls from the beginning with my oldest. All six seasons—which, by my math, should carry me through the first few weeks of empty nesting, long after they have both gone (together) to MIZZOU. Hannah Horvath is making terrible decisions in Brooklyn while my heart pounds and I remember my 24-year-old self in the big city.

And because the universe has a sense of humor: Lena Dunham herself recently replied to my comment on her Substack—she was glad to get my thumbs up on her advice about alcohol. So Lena and I are practically friends now. I'll let her know how the show ends.

Old me would have poured a glass of something over this whole season of life and called it self-care. And listen, I have plans for my free bird era. But first I'm allowing myself to wrap up my kid's childhood properly with tender loving care, a boatload of tears, and a highly, but temporarily, dysregulated nervous system, and all. Because here's what nobody tells you: the feeling passes either way. The wine only delays it. I'd rather cry at the beginning of this goodbye than be numb through the middle of it.

So that's where I am. Feeling everything, on purpose. Which, funny enough, is exactly what this community has been up to lately. When friends ask how I am feeling, I reply, "I feel smooth as a duck on the surface, but I don't know what I am kicking at yet underneath." Stay tuned.

The story share ripple

Something happened on our story share call last week that I haven't stopped thinking about.

One of our members, Natalie, told her story—the real one, the version you only say out loud when you feel safe—and the turnout was one of our biggest yet. But here's the part that got me: since that call, more members have been raising their hands to share their stories.

Nothing recruits courage like watching someone else use hers.

That's the whole magic of this community, honestly. Not one brave woman. A room that makes brave women.

Last week: hormone health

Our Hormone Health Masterclass was one of those calls where you could feel the lightbulbs going on. So many of us spent years thinking our bodies had turned on us, when really they were just asking us to stop pouring a depressant on top of our hormones every night.

Education, connection, and science—that's the formula around here. Masterclasses for your brain, meditations for your nervous system, and a group of women who get it for everything in between. Shame never got anyone sober. Understanding your own body just might.

Replay is INside.  

This week: Reparenting with Compassion

This one is tender, in the best way.

Reparenting isn't about blaming your parents. It's about becoming the adult your younger self was waiting for. So much of my drinking was me trying to soothe a part of me that never learned another way. This work is learning the other way—with compassion, not another round of self-improvement bootcamp.

New on the blog: human design + your alcohol-free journey

You may remember I went from rolling my eyes at human design to getting certified in it. (I've learned not to be surprised by myself anymore.)

This week I wrote about how your Human Design type can support your alcohol-free life—including the story of a client who could quit anything except wine, until her chart showed her that quitting was never her flaw. It was her design.

Read it HERE. 

And if you're curious what your own chart says, I'm now offering Human Design calls—schedule yours HERE. 

Nashville: 3 spots left 

Friends, this retreat is getting real.

I'm deep in the fun part right now—finalizing our Saturday out on the town and the meal plan. Here's what you can expect if you grab one of the last 3 spots:

Two planning calls together before we go, so you'll know exactly what to pack and what to expect (no showing up anxious—that's the old way). A survey is coming for your food preferences, because nourishing you well is half the point. Swag bags that I can only describe as over the top. And the weekend itself: nature, connection, grounding—and then fun on the town, Nashville-style, including meeting local alcohol-free enthusiasts who are proof that a big night out doesn't need a drink in it.

A weekend with women who get it, no explaining required, changes something a hundred solo attempts can't.

Grab your spot: RETREAT LINK HERE.

Inside the Insider

We welcomed new members this month—and last week, members met up in person, on their own, because that's what happens when internet friends become real ones.

If you've been lurking on the edge of this community, get in and find your friends. They're already in there, waiting to recognize you. Join HERE.

Two little things before you go

A new meditation is up on Insight Timer. Follow me THERE so new ones find you when you need them—it's free, and it's there for the 2am ceiling-staring sessions. I'd love a (5-star only, please, lol) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review if it helped you.

My wine blog is making the rounds on LinkedIn. If you're over there, I'd love for you to reshare it—every share finds another woman who thinks she's the only one: 15 Best Non-Alcoholic Wines of 2026, Tested Over 7 Years

So here's my question for you this week: whose courage have you been watching from the sidelines—and what would it look like to borrow a little of it?

Hit reply and tell me. I read everyone.

This is a lot of info, but what can I say? I'm a Generator! 

XO!

Heather

P.S. Those 3 Nashville spots will close August 31st. Don't give yourself FOMO and come join us. If you've been circling, this is your sign: SAVE YOUR BED HERE