Guest name: Nicole Michels, LPC
Business name: Redbird Counseling & Consulting
Life comes with plenty of pressures for both men and women. But for so many women, the mental load of raising kids, managing schedules, working, maintaining relationships, and keeping up with everyday life can feel never-ending.
And in a culture where pouring a glass of wine after a long day has become almost synonymous with relaxing, how often do we stop to think about the habits we're creating and what we're really using to cope?
In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Michels, a licensed therapist and founder of Redbird Counseling in Erie, Colorado, for an honest conversation about motherhood, stress, our relationship with alcohol, and the expectations so many women are carrying today.
With years of experience in mental health, substance use, and trauma, Nicole brings both professional expertise and her perspective as a mom of two to this conversation.
We talk about how alcohol has become so normalized in our culture, particularly among women and moms. From girls' nights and summer barbecues to that evening glass of wine after a stressful day, drinking can gradually become part of our routines without us even realizing it. Nicole shares what she's noticed since the pandemic and how to recognize when our relationship with alcohol might deserve a closer look.
But this conversation goes well beyond alcohol.
We also explore the mental load of motherhood, the pressure to do everything well, and how comparison, people-pleasing, and perfectionism can leave us feeling overwhelmed. Nicole shares why traditional ideas of self-care aren't always enough and how setting boundaries, asking for help, and recognizing our capacity can make a meaningful difference in our everyday lives.
In this episode, we cover:
Why alcohol use has become more common among moms since the pandemic
How drinking can gradually shift from something social to a way of coping with stress
Signs that your relationship with alcohol might deserve a closer look
How alcohol can affect sleep, anxiety, and emotional well-being
The influence of social media and "mommy wine" culture
How comparison, people-pleasing, and perfectionism contribute to burnout
Why being capable of something doesn't always mean we have the capacity for it
What sustainable self-care actually looks like
How setting boundaries, asking for help, and making small changes can improve our well-being
Why slowing down and being intentional can help us enjoy motherhood rather than simply survive it
One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is something Nicole shared about the difference between capability and capacity. Just because we can do something doesn't mean we have the capacity to take it on.
That's such an important reminder for women who are used to managing everything and making sure everyone else is taken care of.
Nicole also encourages us to get curious about our habits and the choices we're making. Are we having a drink because we're enjoying the moment, or because we're overwhelmed and looking for an escape? Are we saying yes to another commitment because we want to, or because we feel guilty saying no?
These questions aren't about judgment or perfection. They're about understanding ourselves better and making choices that support the lives we actually want to live.
This episode is your reminder that you don't have to wait until something becomes a big problem to take a closer look at your habits, your stress, or the expectations you're putting on yourself.