Staying Sober
It’s been over a year and a half since I decided I want to stop drinking. I quit early of 2023 and I never looked back since. I’m happy to say, I don’t miss the drinking lifestyle at all, and i’m enjoying my sobriety. Last year, I was forced to examine my relationship with alcohol. Do I even like the taste to alcohol? Also, why do I drink? Was it to fit in with others? Did alcohol give me a confidence boost? OR maybe it helped me forget pain? And as I became more introspective, I realized 1. I don’t like the taste of alcohol, in fact the smell of tequila makes me gag. 2. Alcohol as I see it, is a social lubrication, it’s liquid courage. One I don’t really need at this point in my life- I know how to talk to people or be friendly. 3. I know enough basic psychology to know, alcohol will not really make “pain go away”. The only was to make pain fade is facing it, sitting with the painful emotions and giving it time to heal.
There are many people who enjoy drinking, and I’m not here to pass judgement on them. People have different reasons and perspectives for doing what they do. To many, drinking is a fun escape from life and good way to meet new people. However, I know myself well enough to say, I don’t need to go drinking to meet new friends or to enjoy my life. I can sit with people who drink, and have soda. I don’t need to force myself to drink or succumb to peer pressure. I also don’t want to “escape” my life, but rather build a beautiful life I don’t regularly need to escape from.
As I enter my 30s, I also realized, I really value my sleep and my health. I like early nights in and early mornings. I find its more productive. I am a morning person, and i’ve been adopting a healthy lifestyle. My interests have changed greatly. I enjoy morning runs and sports like jiu jitsu, badminton and pickleball. I get excited about brunch dates, being in nature and yoga. I’m enjoying my full life and the new friendships i’ve cultivated through my hobbies and interests.
Additionally, alcohol is technically considered a “drug”. Specifically a substance that is classified as a depressant. It slows your judgement, and can affect your physical and mental well being. It can cause liver problems as well. Along with drinking culture, can come more accidents driving and reckless behavior as well. I’m really glad i’m no longer in the frequency of drinking culture. You don’t really need to drink in order to have a good time in my opinion.
Additionaly, everyone has their opinion of what a good time is. When I was younger, I had so many crazy alcohol induced memories from getting into car accidents to seeing people pass out drunk in clubs and sneaking in to go home when the morning sun came out. It was a fun, wild ride in my teens and early 20s. I’m grateful for that part of my life, but i’m also just as excited for the more wholesome, sober version of me now that enjoys my nights in reading and my slow mornings drinking tea and working out. Truly, at the end of the day, you get to decide what “fun” means to you.
“Don't subscribe to other people's definition of "fun". Fun doesn't have to mean drinking, partying and socialising. Fun can be a night in alone, getting lost in a book, a deep conversation, a walk, creating art, playing music or doing your work.” - Unknown