Shez never planned on drinking as a single parent—it just happened. Growing up surrounded by alcohol, she learned early on that drinking was how you coped with life. As a flight attendant, it was part of the job. As a mother, it became her escape. But when she realized she was drinking in front of her staff and waking up with no memory of the night before, she knew something had to change. With This Naked Mind, she found the tools to finally quit and reclaim her life.

Like Cheese and Crackers

I come from a long line of drinkers. My grandmother? She drank methylated spirits in the end. My mother? She practically raised me in a bar, perched on a barstool while I sat on the floor—basically in the ashtray—because kids weren’t allowed at the counter. My childhood was a blur of wild parties, kids crammed into one room while the adults drank, fought, and passed out wherever they landed. Waking up to a house full of half-dressed strangers? Totally normal.

With a background like that, it’s no shock that alcohol became part of my life early on. I had my first drink at 14, sneaking sips when no one was looking. By the time I became a flight attendant, drinking was just part of the job. Aviation and alcohol go together like cheese and crackers—every layover, every overnight, every post-flight debrief took place at a bar. Didn’t matter if it was 5 PM or 5 AM—someone always said, “Just one more.” And I always agreed.

When “Just One More” Became Too Many

Alcohol was my crutch, my security blanket, my escape hatch. Stress, sadness, anger—whatever the feeling, I had a drink for that. But it wasn’t just an occasional bad habit. It was a lifestyle. And eventually, it became a problem.

When I transitioned from flight attendant to a management role, the pressure mounted. I found myself drinking in front of my staff—excessively. I’d wake up with no memory of what I said or did the night before. Embarrassment and shame were my new hangover companions. I tried cutting back—no drinking on weekdays, no drinking before dinner—but it always spiraled back to the same place: a bottle and a half of wine a night. Two bottles if I had company.

The worst part? I knew better. I had quit smoking 22 years ago, something I once thought impossible. I had researched the best stop-smoking programs and found Allen Carr’s method, which worked for me. So why couldn’t I do the same with alcohol?

Drinking as a Single Parent: The Wake-Up Call

At 62 years old, I’m an older single mother to three incredible kids—13-year-old twins and a 15-year-old son. And one day, I had to face the truth: drinking as a single parent wasn’t just about me. It was about them.

For years, I had been physically present but emotionally checked out. I was exhausted, foggy, guilty. I wasn’t taking them places, wasn’t engaging in their lives the way they deserved. I told myself I was a “fun mom,” but the reality was, I was just a mom with a wine glass glued to her hand.

That realization led me to a late-night Google search. I needed help. That’s when I found This Naked Mind by Annie Grace. I had signed up for The Alcohol Experiment multiple times, lurked in the Facebook group, even enrolled in Fixation to Freedom—but nothing stuck. Then I bought the audiobook. Turns out, I don’t read much anymore, but I do listen. And what I heard changed everything.

Find What Works For You!

Are you ready to find out what works for you? Here at This Naked Mind, we know that we all learn and change in our own unique ways! Pick your path and get on the road to freedom!

You can:

Download the first 40 pages of This Naked Mind absolutely free!

Join the Alcohol Reset Challenge and participate in the most life-changing 5 days of your life!

Looking to take a break from alcohol but wishing for some guidance and support as you go? The Alcohol Experiment has your back!

Seven Days Sober and a Lifetime to Go

Last week, I turned 62. And for the first time in as long as I can remember, I’ve been sober for seven days. Seven days might not sound like much, but for someone who’s never known adulthood without alcohol (except for pregnancy), it’s monumental.

I’m finally showing up for my kids. I’m present. I’m listening—not with a fuzzy head, not distracted by when I can have my next drink, but actually listening. The guilt is lifting. The energy is returning. And for the first time in years, I’m excited about the future.

Drinking as a single parent made me feel like I was just getting by. Sobriety makes me feel like I’m finally living.

If you’re reading this and thinking, It’s too late for me, I promise you—it’s not. No matter how many times you’ve tried, no matter how deep you think you are, there’s a way out. And it’s worth it.

So, if you see me at a barstool now, I’ll be the one with a soda water, raising a glass—to freedom.

It’s Never Too Late to Change

If you’re questioning your drinking, that’s already a huge step. Don’t judge yourself, and don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re not normal for choosing a life without alcohol. Because let’s be honest—what’s really “normal” about drinking something that makes us forget, regret, and repeat?

If I can do this, you can too.

Share Your Story

Did our books, the app, the podcasts, or another program at This Naked Mind help you stop drinking as a single parent? We want you to share your story here and inspire others on their journey!