I thought I’d diverge a wee bit from the crafts to talk a little about something that has been arising lately in my life. I’m not gonna get preachy or annoying, I just thought I would share my thoughts as I’ve changed so much recently.

Six months ago I gave up alcohol. Plan and simple. For the most part, I surround myself with friends and family and crafters that not only support me in that, but don’t make it an issue at all. I’m not against you getting plowed – I probably won’t stay out all night anymore and I value my time a little differently, but I’m not a hater about drinking. In fact, I go out to more shows, events, and social gatherings (bar or not) now, than when I did drink! I also will preface all of this with I’m not judging or saying alcohol is bad, I just do not want to manage it in my life anymore.

I will say though that it really pesters me when people, upon finding out I do not partake react as such: “GASP! How can you even live without alcohol??!!! How horrible!” Basically, I’ll be the first to admit it’s kind of lonely sometimes not partaking in alcohol culture. Sure, I can go to a bar or a party and it’s no issue not drinking, but the drinkers – they are the most suspicious and paranoid of folk. I know, I used to be one of them myself – ‘you don’t drink? why are you here? are you with the KGB?’ Just kidding, but the comments, looks, and general puzzlement of a sober person in the presence of alcohol is reminiscent of the Red Scare (okay maybe that’s dramatic). I feel overall, ‘How can I live without alcohol?’ well the answer is simple ‘A lot better than I can live with it.’

Let’s look at some of my personal achievements since ditching the not so magical (for me) elixir:

1. Tattoos out the wazoo
2. A trip to Thailand
3. Zero Hangovers
4. -30 lbs
5. Better relationships
6. Focus/Commitment
7. I treat myself nicely now
8. Goals become reality
9. My piggy bank is loving me
10. I am a better version of myself

It’s easy to let someone ‘shame’ me into feeling like I’m missing out when I can’t spend the night taking shots and blabbering about some thing that I’m ‘super super super’ influenced by or ‘LOVE’. (Not everyone is like that, but I sure am!) I can still go to the bar, I can still have a goofy night at a club, I can take a chance and ask someone to dance or flirt without alcohol. Also I’d like to add that drinker or not, if you’re my friend – you are my friend. I respect a good glass of whiskey, but not for me please. 🙂 Plus, I’ve experienced enough to remember some awesome times!

Actually, I can still do all the things I did with alcohol, but now I can do so much more. As Rob Lowe once said “Sobriety was the greatest gift I ever gave myself. I don’t put it on a platform. I don’t campaign about it. It’s just something that works for me.”

The next time someone reacts to my sobriety in appall, I won’t defend my choice, I’ll just smile and remember – I’m better without. Much better. And that’s all you’ll hear about it from me.

xxxx
GFK