It’s been quite a while since I last had an alcoholic drink—Christmas was my last hurrah, and before that, I made it through Halloween. In fact, my last sip of wine was LAST summer. As time passes without alcohol, it increasingly feels like poison to my system. I’ve completely sworn off drinking.
My friends who still enjoy their wine might be in shock right now. (And no, it’s not because they have a problem; let’s be kind.) Back in high school, while my peers sipped their drinks at parties, I stood back and observed. I saw the carefree laughter turn into tears, fights, and an unfortunate incident involving someone’s vomit in a washing machine—poor unsuspecting parents! Seeing all that, I had no desire to join in. I was teased for not drinking, asked why I even bothered to attend if I wasn’t going to indulge.
But as my senior year approached, curiosity and peer pressure nudged me onto that party wagon. I dove into the party scene with enthusiasm in my early twenties, embracing nights of overindulgence and the inevitable hangovers that followed. I can recount wild escapades fueled by alcohol: flashing bartenders for free drinks, swimming in gator-infested waters at night, and snatching a front-row seat at a strip club on Bourbon Street.
Yet, I also faced the darker side of drinking, including relationships with alcoholic partners. I experienced the suffocating grip of codependency, realizing it could easily consume me. With alcoholism deeply rooted in my family history, I consider myself fortunate to have escaped with relatively few scars from my reckless adventures. Once my phase of experimentation ended, walking away from it all was surprisingly easy.
I distanced myself from the party crowd of my college days and naturally reduced my alcohol intake as adulthood set in, especially during pregnancies and while nursing. For years, my drinking was limited to a couple of glasses of wine here and there, a celebratory toast with neighbors after surviving another week of parenting, and the occasional party.
Fast forward to about two years ago when I took up writing. I discovered that I couldn’t craft stories with a foggy mind, especially after a long day with my kids. So, I swapped my evening glass of wine for pouring words into my laptop. Before I knew it, I had lost my taste for wine and the way it made me feel.
I’ve come to appreciate the clarity of sobriety and prefer to navigate life without the haze of intoxication. I often find myself tripping over my own words, and I certainly don’t need a few drinks to amplify my awkwardness. Besides, I’d prefer not to come across as an asshole when I accidentally put my foot in my mouth.
Just the sight of a wine list gives me a headache—seriously, I’m a terrible hangover person. I have absolutely zero interest in wasting my days feeling awful. Abandoning alcohol has significantly improved my mood stability—now, I only have to contend with the joys of PMS! And instead of seeking a drink to unwind after a rough day, I’ve discovered that simply putting my feet up can be just as soothing without the headache.
It’s been liberating to embrace my social awkwardness without relying on alcohol for comfort. Though peer pressure still exists at thirty-five, it’s much more subtle. At parties, everyone expects you to have a drink in hand, and when you don’t, people tend to offer you one repeatedly. My friends often think I’m joking when I say my drink is non-alcoholic. It’s tough to say no without feeling like I’m back in high school, where my sobriety was often mistaken for judgment of others.
The main difference between teenage peer pressure and adult peer pressure is how it affects me now. Back then, I desperately wanted to fit in; now, I couldn’t care less if someone thinks I’m uncool for not drinking. Plus, I’m no longer in relationships that could be influenced by such things.
In today’s culture, the “mommy needs her sippy cup” mentality is prevalent, often exaggerated for comedic effect. On the flip side, those who abstain for religious reasons or due to alcoholism are generally respected—and rightfully so. But what about those of us who choose a non-alcoholic lifestyle for personal preference? Is there anyone else out there like me?
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Summary
As a mother who has chosen to live an alcohol-free life, I’ve navigated the complexities of social pressures and personal choices. Embracing my decision has brought clarity and freedom, allowing me to engage fully in life’s moments without the influence of alcohol. The journey of self-acceptance continues, and I encourage others to explore their own paths, whether that means embracing sobriety or simply exploring healthier lifestyle choices.
Keyphrase: Living an Alcohol-Free Life as a Mom
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