#116 - Being, Not Doing

In this episode of The Alcohol Debate, Tabbin Almond cotinue with her short series of stories and reflection from her hike along the Camino de Santiago, where she embraces the art of doing nothing. After five hours of walking, she finds herself captivated by a stunning view and an ancient olive tree, prompting her to pause and simply exist in the moment. Here are the wildflowers she talks about during the episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/136ZjDv6eJbOrkauxQmUfkvkSaCWiGbLU/view?usp=sharing  Tabbin explores the rarity of such stillness in our busy lives, encouraging listeners to appreciate the beauty of being unoccupied. She highlights the discomfort that often accompanies quiet moments, discussing how many of us reach for distractions, such as alcohol, to fill the silence. Drawing from her own upbringing, she reflects on the societal pressures to always be productive and the fear of boredom that can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms.  Throughout the episode, Tabbin introduces mindfulness exercises, including the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, to engage the senses and cultivate awareness in the present moment. She emphasises the importance of allowing oneself to feel emotions that may arise during these quiet times, rather than using substances to numb them. By learning to sit with stillness, we can foster personal growth and a deeper understanding of our relationship with alcohol.  Join Tabbin as she invites you to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the beauty of simply being. She concludes by teasing the next episode, which promises to share a heartfelt story about the connections made along her journey.  Highlights:           (02:00) Introduction to the concept of doing nothing           (10:15) The beauty of the olive tree and the stunning view           (18:30) The rarity of stillness in our busy lives           (25:00) Mindfulness exercises to engage the senses           (32:45) The discomfort of quiet moments and coping mechanisms           (40:00) Preview of the next episode about meaningful connections on the Camino           (48:00) Encouragement to embrace stillness and self-reflection  Connect with Tabbin: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com