I was stuck in a cycle I couldn’t seem to break free from—one glass turning into two, then a bottle, night after night.
Hello I'm Gillian, and at 54 I stopped drinking alcohol.
I wasn’t drinking first thing in the morning.
I wasn’t completely out of control.
I didn’t think I was an “alcoholic.”
But my drinking was escalating and I felt so disappointed in myself for not having more self-control.
I thought I could do it on my own.
Hello I'm Gillian
At 54 I stopped drinking alcohol.
I didn't believe I was an alcoholic, but my drinking was escalating.
I felt so disappointed in myself for not having more self-control.
I thought I just needed to be more disciplined.
I thought I could do it on my own.
I was stuck in a cycle I couldn’t seem to break free from—one glass turning into two, then the bottle, night after night.
That's me on a beach in Belize 2018.
From the outside my life looked great -
inside I was spiraling.
I know what it’s like to wake up feeling guilty, disappointed and frustrated—telling yourself something has to change.
I also know what it’s like to talk yourself out of it:
“I'm not that bad... so-and-so drinks much more than me... I'll be fine tomorrow.”
That was me.
For years.
That's me on a beach in Belize 2018.
From the outside my life looked great - inside I was spiraling.
I know what it’s like to wake up feeling guilty, disappointed and frustrated—telling yourself something has to change.
I also know what it’s like to talk yourself out of it:
“I'm not that bad... so-and-so drinks way more than me... I'll be fine tomorrow.”
That was me. For years.
I knew I couldn't just keep going this way, something had to change.
Giving my favourite pet lamb Twiglet, a wee cuddle. #covidhair lol
Giving my favourite pet lamb Twiglet,
a wee cuddle.
Can you tell it was 2020? #covidhair
And then one morning in May 2020, I found myself in the shed on our farm in Aberdeenshire,
mixing up milk for a bunch of noisy, hungry orphan lambs,
with a banging headache from the bottle of red I’d polished off the night before.
That was the moment when my life completely changed.
I knew I couldn't keep going this way, something had to change.
And then one morning in May 2020, I found myself in the shed on our farm in Aberdeenshire.
I was mixing up milk for a bunch of noisy, hungry orphan lambs, with a banging headache from the bottle of red I’d polished off the night before.
That was the moment when my life completely changed.
“I imagined my future if I did nothing about this issue, and I didn't like it.”
"I imagined my life if I did nothing about my drinking, and I didn't like it."
I had no plan - first mistake.
But I just knew something had to change - so I joined an online community and reached out for help.
It wasn’t easy.
It was bloody hard.
But it was also the best decision I’ve ever made.
I realised along the way that the idea of ‘giving up’ alcohol was a lie - the truth was that I wasn’t giving up anything!
I was getting back my energy, my peace of mind, my confidence.
I had no plan - first mistake.
I just knew something had to change - so I joined an online community and reached out for help.
It wasn’t easy.
It was bloody hard.
But it was also the best decision I’ve ever made.
I realised along the way that the idea of ‘giving up’ alcohol was a lie - the truth was that I wasn’t giving up anything!
I was getting back my energy, my peace of mind, my confidence.
“It’s not about giving up anything.
It’s about getting back to you—feeling lighter, more at peace, proud of yourself and more confident.
That’s the joy of sobriety no one tells you about.”
“It’s not about giving up anything.
It’s about getting back to you—feeling lighter, more at peace,
proud of yourself and more confident.
That’s the joy of sobriety no one tells you about.”
Over time, the lessons I learned became my path to freedom—one I now share with women just like you, so you don’t have to figure it out the hard way like I did.
Since choosing sobriety I've gone on to be
Certified in Sobriety, Nutrition, and Life Coaching.
I help people—just like you—break free from alcohol, get your spark back and build a life you love to live.
My coaching style is practical and powerful.
Compassionate but not fluffy.
I teach tools that really work, and coach you to finally stop circling round the issue, so you can find YOUR OWN path to freedom.
Because you don’t need to hit rock bottom to change your story.
Over time, the lessons I learned became my path to freedom—
one I now share with women just like you,
so you don’t have to figure it out the hard way like I did.
Since choosing sobriety I've gone on to be
Certified in Sobriety, Nutrition, and Life Coaching.
I help people —just like you—break free from alcohol,
get your spark back and build a life you love to live.
My coaching style is practical and powerful.
Compassionate but not fluffy.
I teach tools that work, and coach you to finally stop circling round the issue,
so you can find YOUR OWN path to freedom.
Because you don’t need to hit rock bottom to change your story.
If you’re nodding along right now, wondering if it’s possible for you too—just know, it is.
And if you’re ready to take your first step, I’d love to help.
Featured In:
If you’re nodding along right now, wondering if it’s possible for you too—just know, it is.
And if you’re ready to take your first step, I’d love to help.
Article In:
Speaker At:
Gillian Cockburn, Finding You Coaching, Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland © Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved.