One of the most common things I hear from women in recovery is: “I don’t know what to do with all this space I’ve created now that I’m not drinking.”
That’s where creativity often steps in. And not the kind that requires you to pick up a paintbrush and create a masterpiece. I’m talking about the kind of creativity that lives in all of us—the impulse to move, to sing, to scribble on a page, to play with color or sound or words.
In my latest episode of The Sober Edge, I talk with Andrea Marchione about how art became her own healing pathway. She began with dance and movement, discovering how the body could tell stories words never could. Over time, she formalized her training through Expressive Arts Therapy, a field that embraces the whole spectrum of creativity: movement, music, visual arts, drama, and writing.
Here’s what I love most about Andrea’s work: she reminds us that creativity is not about talent—it’s about expression. Art gives us a way to regulate our nervous system, to process emotions, and to reconnect with parts of ourselves that may have gone quiet under the weight of addiction or stress.
Think about it—when was the last time you let yourself create without judgment? Maybe it was doodling in the margins of a notebook, humming in the shower, or dancing alone in your kitchen. That’s art, too. And in our alcohol-free discovery journey, those moments of playful expression are not just fun—they’re deeply healing.
Andrea and I also talk about how creative practices can feel like a reset for the nervous system. Engaging in art helps shift us out of overthinking and into flow. It allows us to bypass logic and tap into a subconscious wisdom that can teach us so much about who we are becoming, or unbecoming.
If you’ve been feeling stuck or searching for new ways to support your alcohol-free journey, this episode is an invitation to explore your creative side. You don’t need a canvas, a dance studio, or any special training. You just need a willingness to express and to listen to what emerges.
✨ What if healing could look like play?
I invite you to listen in and let Andrea’s story inspire you to pick up that pen, move your body, or simply give yourself permission to create—without expectation, without judgment.
