"I couldn’t tell if my coworkers were trying to convince me I didn’t have a problem or that they didn’t have a problem." The latter haha--that's always what it is.
Kudos on your journey Michelle. "10 minutes of awkward conversation beats getting drunk, messing up my sleep and ruining the rest of the weekend for myself." this could be turned into a billboard.
haha it should be! I think that's the core piece of why I enjoying not drinking now, the fun pay off seems so short lived compared to the after effects.
also resonated with this line! I've realized that every hangover is a tradeoff on how you feel for the rest of the week and can put you steps back on whatever goal or arc you're moving towards
when I was going for 100% sober for the first 8 months of this year, friends eventually accepted a firm 'No thanks' and were more pushy when I seemed tempted or unsure
Experimenting with 1-2 drinks per week maximums right now to see if I like this better than 100% sober. But I think I'm going to go back to experimenting with 100% sober for the first half of 2023
Yes! Every hangover is a tradeoff, and when added up over weeks over a year, it's crazy to think how that compounds. I'll be curious to know what you experiment with in 2023! I don't think quitting necessarily has to be a binary, but I agree, it's almost easier when people start to know you don't drink.
I'll never understand why people can't just let others live their lives, especially when they're making changes to help themselves.
"The things people love about me has nothing to do with the amount of drinks I consume, and it never did. " 💙 Thank you for sharing your personal experience with this!
It’s so true! Definitely not everybody, all the time, but I think it’s an underrated aspect of deciding to do anything that’s against the cultural norm. Thank you for reading and for your comment 💛
I enjoyed reading this article. I appreciate your openness about the difficulties you faced having to explain why you chose to stop drinking. I grew up in a pastor’s house, so I was never around it growing up. However, when I did grow up, I knew I had a choice to make. I chose not to drink at all and have kept it that way to this day. My friends respected my decision. In fact, they ended up liking me more because I offered to be their DD. Who knew I’d be so popular? The fact I don’t charge Uber prices is probably why I’m the chosen DD. Anyway, I commend you for your steadfastness and wish you well in your journey. Like you, I’m in California. If I’m ever in the Bay Area, lemonade is on me. ☺️🍋
Thank you so much for your kind comment Daniel and sharing your perspective! I love that your friends respected your decision. I find mine are also happy now that I am always available to drive. The money I've personally saved on Ubers is insane. The total cost of drinking is a whole other topic in itself.
I wish you well too! I am always open to sharing a lemonade :)
Another great article Michelle! I definitely resonate with your journey as I went through a 'sober curious ' phase while working on cruise ships, an environment that could arguably be considered a training ground for Alcoholism 101.
I think this topic is a great example of the larger conversation around what setting and upholding boundaries looks like.
I appreciate the contrast between Austin and California to illustrate how strong the effect of prevailing culture is.
Thank you so much Tai! Not to add to your idea pile, but I feel like working on a cruise ship must come with interesting stories!
You're so right though, the larger conversation here is about boundaries. I'm not sure I even fully realized that until I wrote this (or maybe until you pointed it out!)
That's a huge compliment Malavika! I do enjoy life without alcohol and would recommend to anyone interested. Also, thank you for all your help with my initial draft!
"I couldn’t tell if my coworkers were trying to convince me I didn’t have a problem or that they didn’t have a problem." The latter haha--that's always what it is.
hahaha I didn't want to say it buttttt....😆
Kudos on your journey Michelle. "10 minutes of awkward conversation beats getting drunk, messing up my sleep and ruining the rest of the weekend for myself." this could be turned into a billboard.
haha it should be! I think that's the core piece of why I enjoying not drinking now, the fun pay off seems so short lived compared to the after effects.
also resonated with this line! I've realized that every hangover is a tradeoff on how you feel for the rest of the week and can put you steps back on whatever goal or arc you're moving towards
when I was going for 100% sober for the first 8 months of this year, friends eventually accepted a firm 'No thanks' and were more pushy when I seemed tempted or unsure
Experimenting with 1-2 drinks per week maximums right now to see if I like this better than 100% sober. But I think I'm going to go back to experimenting with 100% sober for the first half of 2023
Yes! Every hangover is a tradeoff, and when added up over weeks over a year, it's crazy to think how that compounds. I'll be curious to know what you experiment with in 2023! I don't think quitting necessarily has to be a binary, but I agree, it's almost easier when people start to know you don't drink.
I'll never understand why people can't just let others live their lives, especially when they're making changes to help themselves.
"The things people love about me has nothing to do with the amount of drinks I consume, and it never did. " 💙 Thank you for sharing your personal experience with this!
It’s so true! Definitely not everybody, all the time, but I think it’s an underrated aspect of deciding to do anything that’s against the cultural norm. Thank you for reading and for your comment 💛
I enjoyed reading this article. I appreciate your openness about the difficulties you faced having to explain why you chose to stop drinking. I grew up in a pastor’s house, so I was never around it growing up. However, when I did grow up, I knew I had a choice to make. I chose not to drink at all and have kept it that way to this day. My friends respected my decision. In fact, they ended up liking me more because I offered to be their DD. Who knew I’d be so popular? The fact I don’t charge Uber prices is probably why I’m the chosen DD. Anyway, I commend you for your steadfastness and wish you well in your journey. Like you, I’m in California. If I’m ever in the Bay Area, lemonade is on me. ☺️🍋
Thank you so much for your kind comment Daniel and sharing your perspective! I love that your friends respected your decision. I find mine are also happy now that I am always available to drive. The money I've personally saved on Ubers is insane. The total cost of drinking is a whole other topic in itself.
I wish you well too! I am always open to sharing a lemonade :)
Another great article Michelle! I definitely resonate with your journey as I went through a 'sober curious ' phase while working on cruise ships, an environment that could arguably be considered a training ground for Alcoholism 101.
I think this topic is a great example of the larger conversation around what setting and upholding boundaries looks like.
I appreciate the contrast between Austin and California to illustrate how strong the effect of prevailing culture is.
Thank you so much Tai! Not to add to your idea pile, but I feel like working on a cruise ship must come with interesting stories!
You're so right though, the larger conversation here is about boundaries. I'm not sure I even fully realized that until I wrote this (or maybe until you pointed it out!)
Great article Michelle, an interesting "how-to" guide to navigate social interactions and alcohol, packed with nice anecdotes and phrases to use 👌👏
Thank you so much Oscar!
So well done Michelle. Your essays on quitting are making me sober-curious too. There is such an evocative quality to your writing. 💜
That's a huge compliment Malavika! I do enjoy life without alcohol and would recommend to anyone interested. Also, thank you for all your help with my initial draft!