Mindful, Not Perfect
Mindful, Not Perfect is a free video course for anyone ready to take an honest look at their drinking — without shame, pressure, or labels.
Whether you want to cut back, take a break, or quit entirely, this course gives you modern, science-backed tools to:
- Interrupt cravings before they start
- Improve sleep, mood, and energy (without relying on willpower)
- Build habits that actually stick
- Define success on your own terms
Created by bestselling author and podcast host Mike Hardenbrook, this course is based on the same practical, real-world strategies that have helped over 80,000 people and reached more than 400,000 weekly podcast listeners.
If alcohol has started taking more than it gives, this course will help you take back control — with clarity, flexibility, and zero judgment.
No all-or-nothing rules. No pressure to be perfect. Just real change, your way.
Why Your Attempts to Cut Back on Alcohol Haven’t Worked
Tried to drink less but nothing seems to stick? It’s not your fault — and you’re not alone. In this first lesson, we unpack why most advice about alcohol misses the real issue, and why this time, things can be different.
Unlearning What You’ve Been Told About Drinking
You don’t need to hit rock bottom to want something better. This lesson helps you unlearn the outdated rules about alcohol — so you can make choices based on your values, not old stories.
You Don’t Need a Label to Change Your Drinking
Are you stuck in the “am I an alcoholic?” loop? You don’t need a label to change. This lesson shows you how to break free from the binary and focus on what really matters: how you feel.
What It Means to Be an In-Between Drinker
You’re not drinking like you used to — but you’re not fully alcohol-free either. This lesson explores the gray area of drinking, why it’s more common than you think, and how to navigate it mindfully.
What’s Really Driving Your Drinking Habits
You’re not just drinking for the taste. There’s always something behind the habit — stress, boredom, social pressure, or something deeper. This lesson helps you spot the patterns that come before the pour.
The Truth About What Alcohol Actually Delivers
Does alcohol really help you relax, sleep, or connect? We break down the neuroscience behind those common beliefs — and reveal the real cost behind the temporary relief.
What’s Beneath the Urge to Drink
When you feel the urge to drink, it’s not random. This lesson helps you identify emotional triggers, unmet needs, and hidden drivers so you can interrupt the habit with compassion and awareness.
Redefining Success with Alcohol (It’s Not All or Nothing)
You don’t need a perfect streak to be making progress. This lesson helps you define your version of success — not based on willpower or rules, but on what makes you feel proud and aligned.
Tools That Help You Cut Back on Drinking
What actually works to drink less? In this lesson, we share science-backed tools that support your brain and body — so you’re not relying on willpower alone.
How to Drink Less in Real-Life Situations
It’s one thing to cut back at home — but what about weddings, dinners, and social pressure? This lesson shows you how to stay grounded, confident, and clear in real-world drinking situations.
How to Handle Slip-Ups Without Shame or Setbacks
Slip-ups happen. What matters is how you respond. This lesson teaches you how to bounce back, learn from it, and move forward — without guilt, shame, or starting over.
How to Make Drinking Less a Lasting Change
Temporary changes are easy. Lasting change takes strategy. In this lesson, we show you how to turn new habits into a new normal — in a way that feels sustainable, not stressful.
Where to Go From Here with Your Drinking Goals
You’ve made real progress. Now what? This lesson helps you choose your next step — whether that’s going further, maintaining balance, or simply feeling proud of how far you’ve come.
You’ve Started Changing Your Drinking — What’s Next?
This isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of a new relationship — with alcohol, and with yourself. We’ll close the course by showing you how to stay curious, stay supported, and keep going.