She's Sparkling AF: Liv Koeppe

Liv Koeppe

Paralegal for Foster + Bloom, a national family formation law group

When did you commit to an alcohol-free lifestyle?

Thanksgiving weekend of 2023. On Black Friday, I had a one word thought. “Why?”

Why did I have that drink? Why do I feel this way? Why does one drink affect me the same as three? Why do I even drink??

I hadn’t made a cognizant decision to fully commit to AF at the time, but the thought provoked a deep sense of curiosity and self-discovery. Two and a half years later, here I am, still alcohol-free.

Name an unexpected joy(s) since going alcohol-free.

There are so many joys I wasn’t expecting!! I no longer have excruciating tummy pains. My inflammation has visibly decreased. I feel more confident and introspective. I still have a blast at gatherings, even without a drink. Diet Coke also tastes 10x better now (correlation ≠ causation as they say…but, I’m sticking with my opinion and it brings me so much unexpected joy). Finally, I have a great deal of unexpected joy knowing alcohol is never going to be a hard discussion. Whether with friends or family, or even my children, it’s become so much easier to talk about and provide my “why” and I’m so thankful for that.

Name a hard part about being alcohol-free.

An unexpected hard part of being alcohol-free was having everyone assume your decision not to drink was rooted in shame. In the beginning, I was always so quick to provide a lengthy response that I didn’t struggle with dependency, but then I realized, what if I did? Did that change how I felt? Did that change the reaction of the person I was sharing with? And even if it did, why the heck did it matter?? It doesn’t!

Favorite social media accounts, podcasts, or books about sober living

@drinkorangily @bigdealbevvies @sunroomkava @annehathaway @nikkiglaser Quit Like A Woman by Holly Whitaker, Tom Holland’s On Purpose podcast episode, Andrew Huberman’s podcast episodes on alcohol

(Side note that Robert Downey Jr., Kendrick Lamar, Jamie Lee Curtis and Eminem are AF, too!)

Favorite alcohol-free drinks!

French Bloom! Also love an occasional Athletic Brewing NA beer.

Advice for anyone considering going alcohol-free:

Be curious. Figure out your “why”. In the AF world, we all share how long it’s been since we’ve last had a drink, but just because you are starting your journey doesn’t negate the fact that the HARDEST step is the one you take from consideration to implementation. If you have multiple day 1s, that’s okay. If you don’t want to have a defined goal, that’s okay, too. Just know that whatever you decide, only you are in control and no one else’s opinion truly matters. Be proud of your “why” and know you have an AF village to support you here whenever you need it.

Orangily and their founders, KP and Andee, have created such a unique and vivacious AF community in Indy. It’s truly special, both in exploration of AF beverages, and as a space to seek community and connect with others as this movement grows. I want to highlight how extraordinary KP is, and how she pours so much love and light into everything she does. I selfishly dream of an Orangily takeover on a grandiose scale, and look forward to what the future holds!