December 6th, 2020 kickstarted my journey has a 21-year-old! This number is significant for many as it presents so many new opportunities surrounding social settings. In the past, I definitely have had my fair share of alcohol… However, being alcohol free for the past year has taught me so much. I don’t need to feel a buzz to have fun... I don’t need to binge drink to the point of later throwing it all up. I am the absolute last person to judge anyone who decides to drink on a weekly basis, however, I can confidently say it is not for me. I have been ridiculed, looked upon as “not fun anymore”, and haven’t been invited to things because of this personal choice. I used to take offense and beat myself up as I wasn’t good enough to hang out with my friends anymore. But ultimately, I have truly seen who my real friends are. As I curtailed and ultimately quit drinking, my somewhat large and wide-ranging friendship circle became a much smaller, intimate dot. I still see a couple of my former drinking pals for coffee or a stroll through the park. But, sadly, many others have dropped away. I thought we had so much in common, but that wasn't the case. Without the frat parties confirming our plans, I found ourselves more distant than ever and them twitching to get on with their "real plans" for the evening. I don't fault them, I know that twitch well. Although we still follow each other on social media, our lives have diverged. Maybe that would have happened anyway, with or without alcohol. But, deep down, I doubt it.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t have occasional twinges; moments where I flash forward to a fun night at the bar, dancing without any worry or a birthday champagne toast and wonder how it will feel to have my glass be filled with water. But now, I have tools. I embrace this choice. I know I am making a wise decision for my body not only now, but for the long term. I can remind myself that quitting drinking has given me much more than martinis or a shot ever did. It doesn’t mean I won’t indulge on my wedding day and cheers to a celebratory occasion, however, that is a choice I get to make when the time comes. For now, I choose to live alcohol free. And for me, waking up with bright eyes, a quiet mind, and memories of the night before is worth every sip of seltzer. So with that, cheers to 21🥂
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