Newsletter: July 18, 2025

Hopeless

Feeling Hopeless? You’re Not Alone.

Do you ever feel hopeless?

I do. Sometimes I get caught in fear of the future or regrets of the past. And crazy enough, we’re taught as Christians not to fear—yet everywhere we look are reminders of just how scary the world can be.

When I’m in that place, I have to ask myself: What do I actually have power over?
Spoiler: Not much. LOL.

When I first got sober, it was drilled into me: we are powerless. And I was 100% powerless over alcohol. It's been almost 19 years since my last drink, and I still remember promising myself I’d “only have one.” But I never had one. The craving always started with the first sip—not the 47th.

That’s huge to acknowledge.

The moment alcohol touched my lips, my brain lit up like a Christmas tree. It felt like the answer to my prayers: I didn’t have to feel anymore. I didn’t have to spin. I was drowning out my own brain cells—numbing everything like anesthesia before surgery. Of course, it took a lot more alcohol to pass out, but it always came eventually... if I drank enough.

This idea of power—I think it started when I was little. I told myself, "I’ve got this. Don’t cry. Just run."
So many feelings push us to run, and most of those feelings can be summed up in one word: fear.

As a coach, my job is to help others recognize that powerlessness too. Whether it’s addiction to alcohol, food, shopping, work, or anything else that numbs us, the real work is in identifying the fear—and then learning how to calm it.

And that starts with building a new toolbox.

No, not hammers and wrenches. I’m talking about the tools that help you stay in the present. It sounds simple, but it's not always easy—especially when you're bombarded by the news, social media, and people who want to focus on everything we can’t control.

One of the tools I turn to often? Pen and paper.

When I write, I feel peace. A friend once told me, "Writing is like talking to God.” And I believe it. Every time I get my thoughts onto paper, I see things more clearly. I feel less hopeless.

Then I share what I wrote with someone I trust. And guess what? It doesn’t feel so scary anymore.
That’s freedom.

I think about my grandmothers. They didn’t have social media or 24-hour news. They had friends and family. But even back then, I bet they wondered: Can I trust this person with my secrets? That takes real respect, communication, and trust.

Let’s be honest—trust is hard these days. But it’s still possible. You can find someone safe. You might need to hire someone, and that’s okay. If that’s not an option, keep searching for the person who’ll hold your heart with care. Don’t give up.

Remember that old saying? “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
I believe it.

I'm cheering you on. And if you need help, reach out: elizabeth@elizabethchance.com

August is almost here, and I’m so excited to return to podcasting. I’ve missed it—and I’ve missed hearing from you, my listeners.

Have a blessed weekend and please remember:

You are not alone.
Love you all,
Bizzy

Newsletter July 11, 2025

Relaxing

I need change.

Do you ever feel like you’re spinning and can’t get grounded?

That’s how I’ve been feeling lately—swirling, unsure what to do next. I want peace and serenity, but where do I find it?

I haven’t had a drink in almost two decades. I don’t do drugs. So… where’s the relief supposed to come from?

I decided to take a time-out. And wow—has it been hard.

I’m 11 days into my break from podcasting and social media. In the beginning, I was so uncomfortable. I kept picking up my phone, opening my laptop, trying to brainstorm, to “fix” something. But deep down, I didn’t want to fix. I wanted to receive. To stop trying to shove square pegs into round holes.

It was time to just… stop.
Breathe.
Let go.

But stopping is hard when you live in a world that glorifies busyness.

In Europe, people pause. In Barcelona, restaurants don’t even open for dinner until after 7 PM. When I spoke to locals, they said, “Americans live to work. We work to live.”
Let that sink in.

We’re taught to want—more clothes, bigger cars, larger homes. But for what? To impress people? To feel better than others? That isn’t living. That’s performing.
Real life is about relationships. And those are crumbling, fast.

We’re all addicted to something—scrolling, spending, numbing. But nothing external can fill the internal holes. Only love can.
Love, connection, communication, and safety.

Now, 11 days into this quiet, I’m beginning to hear again.
When life gets still, God speaks.
You can’t hear Him when you’re constantly distracted.

We fill our lives with stuff we don’t need—physically and emotionally. I’ve felt uncomfortable during this break. I’ve wanted to get lost in noise and routine. But I’m choosing not to.

It’s time to listen and feel instead of scroll and consume.

What I’ve heard so far? It’s been extraordinary—and yes, sometimes painful. But I’m not stopping.
I’ll keep going.
20 more days until August 1, 2025—when I hope to emerge grounded and walking forward with God, not just spinning on my own.

If you feel like I did—ungrounded, unsure—take a break.
Turn off the noise.
Take a breath.
Listen.

The answers come when it’s quiet.

You’re not alone. If you need help, reach out:
📩 elizabeth@elizabethchance.com

XO,
Bizzy
Host of Conversations with Bizzy
aka Busy Living Sober

Newsletter July 4th, 2025

Happy 4th of July

Freedom is such a strong word, isn’t it? If you really sit down and think about it, freedom comes with a feeling. To me, it’s like extending your arms and just floating—complete surrender and peace.

I used to think I was free when I was in active addiction. But looking back, I realize I was in a prison—one with invisible, steel walls that I built myself. I reached for a drink because the thoughts and feelings were so powerful, so consuming, I believed I’d shatter if I didn’t numb them. That’s the thing with feelings—they can dictate our entire lives.

And social media plays into that. We scroll, compare, judge, and assume others are doing great based on curated moments. But what we see is not always the truth. It’s a snapshot, a performance. A picture might get a heart or a like, and for a moment, we feel “liked”—but it’s fleeting. If we rely on that approval, we are not truly free.

So this July, I’ve decided to take a break from social media. I may share moments that bring me joy, especially in my work as a coach, because I truly believe that freedom is possible—and I want to help others find it too. But it won’t come from chasing likes. Real freedom comes from within.

What’s important to me now is serenity, peace, love, community, family, and real human connection. The world is loud, and it’s our job to find stillness amidst the noise.

Here’s a challenge: What if you took 5 days off social media? Try it. It’s freeing. You stop comparing. You get closer to yourself—and to God.

I say the Rosary every morning before my feet hit the floor. I say:
“God, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything.”
Sometimes I say it 10 times a day, sometimes 50. But each time, it brings peace. It reminds me I’m not alone. That’s freedom.

If you or someone you know is feeling stuck or overwhelmed, I’d love to help. Coaching has brought me such purpose, and it’s a gift to walk with others toward healing and truth.

Wishing you freedom and peace today.
Thank you, God, for allowing me to share this journey.
Sending love and blessings to each of you.

Love,
Bizzy

#BizzySaysCoaching #ConversationsWithBizzy #FreedomStartsWithin #FaithOverFear

Newsletter for June 27, 2025

Catching up and Coaching

Hi everyone, I have had the opportunity to coach again, and I find it so rewarding. Years ago, I was certified as a Recovery Coach, then I became a Life Coach and a Health and Wellness coach. I learned so much but where I draw most of my information is from my actual life. Years of sobriety, one failed marriage, three children and stepchildren and a second marriage is where I find my strength to share what has happened to me and what to do and not do. It is incredible how God has given me the courage and intuition to help others. It is what I am grateful for each day.

When I started my coaching in 2013 and seeing patients at my Wayne, PA office I realized that I could truly make a difference in others lives. I would have kept doing it but after marrying JF my husband and I started my podcast the coaching one on one went to the wayside. I thought I could help more people on a global level with my podcast.

Well, it worked! I have helped so many in fact the State of New Jersey recommends listening to my podcast after a person has been picked for drug court one of the things that helps people struggling is listening to my podcast! Wow that was an amazing revelation after I heard about this decision from the courts from a listener. My words helped this woman seek to get sober and stay sober.

It has been an amazing run and in August I launch my 10th year season, and I am thrilled for the opportunity and see what comes next!

But in the interim I was given the opportunity to help someone. The person was in trouble in many aspects of their life, and I have again been given a chance to help others one on one. It is amazing, watching someone get their life back and their relationship back has been incredible. Truly I believe that God works through me. Especially since visiting the Blessed Mother in Medjugorje last year. Patience and kindness are my motto, not to mention the ability to really listen to another individual. My gift is helping people feel safe when they feel like they have no one else to turn to.

Since my latest trip to Europe, I have been hearing from listeners that they are having a hard time with loved one’s struggling with addiction. I acted and designed a free downloadable that you can find on my website https://www.busylivingsober.com/bizzysayscoaching. If you think it could help go take a look and if you wouldn’t mind signing up to be included in my mailing list that would be great to.

Looking back when I originally started Sober Not Ashamed, my main mission was to change the way an addict feels, less alone and more accepted into society. It isn’t their drinking or drugs that make them sick it is there thinking. No more shame. Today, it has become more about wanting the addict and their families to feel less alone. It isn’t about the past it is learned to live in the present and get into action and no more thinking.

If you are reading this and know someone that is struggling people let them know that I am back at coaching one on one and you can, or they can always tune into Conversations with Bizzy. Yes, it isn’t Busy Living Sober podcast anymore, but I will always be Busy Living Sober.

Have a fantastic weekend and know you are not alone.

Oh, btw have a Happy and Healthy 4th of July.

XOXO

Bizzy

Coach and Host of Conversations with Bizzy