Sober thoughts from a 20-something who’s trying to drink less
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I’m taking a sober second look at my drinking choices – and I’ve never felt better.
Earlier this year I shared an article about things I’ve stopped trying to care about in my mid-20s and drinking topped the list. So, as another Dry July rolls around, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on my experiences.
I’ve never been much of a drinker or ‘partier’ (and will admit I did try to give it a red hot go when I turned 18), but to be clear, I haven’t given up drinking altogether.
I do still love to have a cocktail or two with my friends or a glass of something at a special dinner and there have been several occasions in the last year where I have been a victim of a wine tasting or a paired wine dinner (who knew such little sips could cause such a big headache?). I just choose to put more thought behind my drinking decisions.
Here are some of my sober thoughts and why I’m trying to drink a little less in my 20s.
I get all of the excitement and none of the headache
I hate hangovers – and who doesn’t? But as a morning person who loves a good routine (mine is pretty basic: Pilates, breakfast, and then getting ready for the day), hangovers are one of the most frustrating and anxiety-inducing experiences I can have. Is it my perfectionist tendencies? Possibly. But it’s also the mix of lack of sleep, a sense of shame about what happened while I was a bit tipsy (which is usually me embarrassing myself dancing), and just general irritability. It’s not something I deal with well.
Also, in my ripe old age of 25, I hate wasting the day sleeping in (and I now understand my mum’s frustration when I would finally emerge from my bedroom at 11 am on a weekend). I’d rather be up, out and about, and doing things I want to do.
Instead of lying in bed feeling sorry for myself because I chose to have one too many margaritas, I’d rather lay in bed because I want to.
Add my chronic illness into the mix and I can tell you that having to chug a juice box while still feeling the consequences of the night before rolling around in my stomach is not a good time. Besides, is there a better feeling of having a really fun night AND being able to remember every detail? I don’t think so.
I feel better about myself inside and out
We all know that alcohol is a depressant (even if we ignore that fact), so it’s no surprise that drinking can impact your mental health. And cutting back has helped mine a lot. Along with no more hangxiety and panicky text messages sent to my friend asking her what happened, I have more energy and time to do the things I enjoy, which makes me feel good overall.
When I do choose to drink (FYI the wasabi martini at Bar Beirut is one of my favourite cocktails and I currently love a nice cold glass of Nick O’Leary Resiling) and have a ‘big’ night – which might be four drinks if I’m feeling extra frisky – I always notice that my skin and body pay the price. It’s not a far leap to cut back on alcohol to feel happier within myself and to improve my overall health.
I can choose quality over quantity
As someone who attends many social occasions as part of her job (something I’m extremely grateful for), there’s not often a week where there’s an event or dinner where alcohol isn’t involved. And while I once would have grabbed onto the glass and held on for dear life – I’m an introvert and they do call it ‘liquid courage’ for a reason – I now no longer feel like I need have a drink in my hand to be accepted. It also means I’ve stopped wasting energy caring about saying ‘no’ to a cocktail when I genuinely don’t feel like one, even if everyone else is drinking.
Another bonus? I can smoke-bomb whenever I want because I’m driving.
Now, when I do choose to Uber somewhere for dinner and drinks, it feels more special, because I can go for quality over quantity. A nice glass of red with a steak or a unique cocktail that I can’t make myself at home feels more indulgent and more justifiable when the bill comes at the end of the night.
It turns out you can have it all – and for me, ‘all’ is a mindful balance of alcohol consumption. Am I going to give up drinking entirely? Probably not – I love having a beautiful meal with a glass of wine, or a fun cocktail when the mood strikes me. I’m just carefully choosing what feels good to me in the moment.
Embracing a sober-curious lifestyle has never been so easy. Besides, no one wants to see my tipsy dancing. Trust me.
