Artist Reflects on Sobriety Milestone and Creative Process After Year Without Alcohol

Artist Sadie Valeria marked one year of sobriety, describing it as a major life inflection point comparable to overcoming a decade-long creative block 20 years ago. After graduating from art school, she experienced artistic paralysis for ten years before establishing a studio, studying with influential teachers, and eventually founding a nationally recognized atelier school. In her late 40s, she connected sleep disturbances and anxiety to alcohol consumption, despite maintaining moderate drinking habits. Inspired by Holly Whitaker's book 'Quit Like a Woman,' she decided to stop drinking entirely. Valeria now lives north of San Francisco and is developing written work about creativity while her art practice is temporarily paused due to relocation and recovery from an injury.