JOMO Club’s chat with The Sober Club’s Janey Lee Grace

Last week we sat down (virtually) with The Sober Club’s Janey Lee Grace on the Alcohol Free Life Podcast. 

Janey and Cheryl Rickman, writer of ‘Navigating Loneliness: How to Connect with Yourself and Others - A Mental Health Handbook’ opened, talking about the topic of loneliness.

I had a think myself about loneliness and the John Lewis advert from a few years ago sprung to mind. The man on the moon in aid of Age UK.

With the advert always being eagerly awaited, bringing so much joy and laughter, the man on the moon was an emotional, thought provoking advert that really showcased what Christmas (and the rest of the year) is like for many people!

It also made me think about the times I used to volunteer back in my hometown when I was a teenager delivering shopping to the elderly and how many may have suffered not receiving that this year..

Over the past year, people have been forced into isolation! With isolation often brings loneliness. 

I am sure many of us have seen loneliness over the past year or indeed felt it. Our neighbour in lockdown came outside into the garden to speak with us back in April last year, saying how he hadn’t yet seen his new grandchild admitting how lonely and sad he felt. It was as though people were actively seeking help or maybe just company and solace. 

The past year has also brought the nation together in many ways. We introduced the clap for the NHS on a Thursday, not only showing support for those working in the NHS but also bringing people onto their doorsteps to have a conversation with their neighbours. We had people picking up shopping for others and conducting small acts of kindness.

Regardless, there is no doubt the past year has been lonely and the world is going to take a lot of healing.

In the podcast, Cheryl defines loneliness as a lack of companionship, feeling disconnected and left out. 

She talks about how loneliness often sparks both creativity, as many of us have seen over the past year, but also deepens the ability to be compassionate. 

Researching this over the past few months, it’s extremely interesting to delve into. When loosing somebody or going through emotional trauma yourself, you are more likely to be compassionate for others. There have been a number of trauma counsellors who have likened the Covid-19 pandemic to grief. The past year meant we had to grieve our our old lives, seeing our friends and family, our jobs, our travels and of course tragically physically grieve our loved ones for some. 

For those who have grieved in the past, this feeling for some triggered an emotion or response meaning at times it has been as though the grief faced previously is being re-lived. This has caused anxiety, depression, trauma and many uncertain or unknown feelings. 

The pandemic is a year that will be researched for the whole of history, however this initial research and concept strikes a cord with me and I know when discussing it with a few others, it does with them. Does it with you too?

So, back to the podcast. After Cheryl’s wonderful conversation, we had a quick chat with Janey ourselves. We spoke about how FOMO has been quite engrained in our lifestyles and how spreading and feeling a little more JOMO, along with the changed perceptions and pressures around drinking and choices to drink will be a very positive thing.

We also spoke about alcohol’s impact on anxiety on indeed ‘hanxiety’.

You can listen to the full podcast on Spotify or Apple Music: ‘Alcohol Free Life: Janey Lee Grace. 133: Cheryl Rickman on Navigating Loneliness & Gemma from JOMO Club’

Don’t forget to enter our competition with Janey on impectlynatural.com for a chance to win a 3 month JOMO subscription! All you have to do is answer one question so you may as well!

If you are affected by loneliness and would like to talk to someone, you can call the Samaritans: 116 123