Meet Teresa Bergen

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teresa Bergen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Teresa, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I’ve had different purposes at different times in my life. Sometimes it’s hard to discern whether something is a new purpose or just a whim. I have lots of ideas that seem brilliant to me in the moment I think of them. But only some have staying power and are suited to my skills and talents. The ideas that keep coming up for weeks and months hint at being a new purpose or direction to follow.

A few years ago, I was on a road trip and I started to think about writing a handbook for sober travelers. I wasn’t sure if I had enough to say to fill a book, or even what kind of info would be relevant. But as a travel writer who had been sober for many years, I’d been in a gazillion situations where I had to navigate alcohol consumption. And I realized other people face that situation, too.

I’m especially suited to write about sober travel and to try to normalize nondrinking because I’m less affected by stigma than many people. Some folks feel personally ashamed while others hold responsible positions they fear losing if they admit to having a substance use problem. Or maybe they don’t drink for other reasons they prefer to keep private. But I’m a freelance writer who’s been sober for ages and is open about it. Nobody’s going to fire me. So I’m happy to stick up for a cause that not everybody can.

In finding your own purpose, think about what interests you enough to stick with for at least a few years (it doesn’t have to be permanent, we’re allowed to evolve), and also about why you’re especially suited to it. I don’t believe having a purpose means I have to be 100% passionate about what I’m doing every single day. But it should be compelling enough that you feel motivated most of the time to do things to advance your purpose.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a travel writer who specializes in outdoors, eco, vegan and sober travel. I’m especially focusing on sober travel these days because I’m trying to normalize nondrinking. Lots of people don’t drink for many reasons (including recovery, religion, physical and mental health concerns), but sometimes it feels like we live in an alcohol-obsessed world which doesn’t understand why we’re not taking part. I wrote Sober Travel Handbook and I regularly contribute travel and yoga philosophy articles to The Sober Curator website as well as many more general publications. In all my writing on sober travel, I try to show people what interesting, full and happy lives we can have without drinking alcohol.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Focus. There are so many things screaming for our attention in the world, including a ton of bad news that we can’t fix as individuals. Focus is super important to me. Many of my friends are constantly derailed by politics and disasters and spend all day bickering about them on social media. I believe we can impact certain situations, but not all of them all the time. Our years are limited. Pick something you can do—even though it’s probably smaller than you want—and focus your time and energy on that.
In-person networking. Joining writing organizations has helped me hugely. Of course it’s awkward at first and I felt like a wallflower at my first conferences. But having colleagues, exchanging information, supporting each other, and eventually turning some of those acquaintances into close friends has been extremely rewarding. I even co-founded a sober travel affinity group within the Society of American Travel Writers, which took me a few years to work up the nerve to do. Whatever your field, join an organization. Go to in-person conferences and meetings and find at least a small volunteer job you can do so that you work with other people.
Listening. As a longtime sober travel writer, I thought I knew all about sober travel. But as I researched and wrote articles, interviewing more than 50 people so far, I’ve discovered many perspectives different than mine. The world feels more and more polarized because people are canceling anybody who doesn’t share their perspective, and instead validating themselves with like-minded people. That’s not the best way to learn and grow. Instead, listen. That doesn’t mean agreeing. But you’re sure to learn some things.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m interested in collaborating with other people who are working to normalize nondrinking. These might be entrepreneurs developing zeroproof drinks, proprietors of sober bars, or sober retreat or group travel leaders. I’m also a longtime yoga teacher and would love to teach yoga on sober retreats and trips.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

jumping off boat photo by Jennifer Chan.

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