My thoughts exactly Nate. I went to visit family this past weekend and once again did not drink (first time was memorial day weekend). They thought it was a fluke and tried to get me to drink, but this time they realized I'm serious. Pretty sure we all realized there just isn't a point in us all hanging out now because our fun together really is alcohol dependent. We went to see a really bad band at a heavy drinking beach bar and the whole experience I could've done without! Even drunk it wouldn't have been great haha, but it would've been ok. Their friends are also heavy drinkers/partyers and these particular family members just don't have any other interests than sitting in a pool or on a beach or at a bar. I absolutely think "not drinking" is cool. I couldn't help but feel like I was being condescending by not drinking with everyone but it's not my problem how anyone else feels about it. Watching people get hammered and act super sloppy and eat garbage food really drives home just how cool not drinking is. As more time passes, I'm realizing how often I chose to drink just to get along with others and fit in, or to not make them feel bad about indulging themselves. Now I focus on how amazing my existence can be without alcohol and I feel no guilt about it. For anyone that's afraid of what's going to happen to their friends, family and social life when they quit drinking: yes, things are going to change, some people will persistently try to keep you drinking, some will stop calling you, and some will see your improvement and want that for themselves. You are being the better person by not poisoning yourself, and despite what anyone thinks or says, you also are a "cooler" person for choosing that for yourself.
I was boring as hell when I was drinking. I spent my evenings drinking lol. Now my wife and I are learning to box together, we are training for a marathon, and when the kids go to bed we stay up and have conversations about our future. That’s fuckin cool, any married couple would agree.
Currently spending a long holiday weekend with in laws, there’s enough booze here to open a store, thankfully they’re not the type to harass or pressure anyone to drink. Has been interesting in the morning since I’m usually one of the first ones up and I’m feeling great because I didn’t drink and watching some of the zombies emerge from their rooms. Then it’s kind of sad when you see Bloody Mary’s being consumed before noon. I can’t judge though as I’ve gone drink for drink with them in the past. My wife has even been fine with me not drinking, though I get the impression she thinks I’ll be back to it after awhile, I have no plans for that.
My thoughts exactly Nate. I went to visit family this past weekend and once again did not drink (first time was memorial day weekend). They thought it was a fluke and tried to get me to drink, but this time they realized I'm serious. Pretty sure we all realized there just isn't a point in us all hanging out now because our fun together really is alcohol dependent. We went to see a really bad band at a heavy drinking beach bar and the whole experience I could've done without! Even drunk it wouldn't have been great haha, but it would've been ok.
Their friends are also heavy drinkers/partyers and these particular family members just don't have any other interests than sitting in a pool or on a beach or at a bar.
I absolutely think "not drinking" is cool. I couldn't help but feel like I was being condescending by not drinking with everyone but it's not my problem how anyone else feels about it. Watching people get hammered and act super sloppy and eat garbage food really drives home just how cool not drinking is.
As more time passes, I'm realizing how often I chose to drink just to get along with others and fit in, or to not make them feel bad about indulging themselves. Now I focus on how amazing my existence can be without alcohol and I feel no guilt about it.
For anyone that's afraid of what's going to happen to their friends, family and social life when they quit drinking: yes, things are going to change, some people will persistently try to keep you drinking, some will stop calling you, and some will see your improvement and want that for themselves. You are being the better person by not poisoning yourself, and despite what anyone thinks or says, you also are a "cooler" person for choosing that for yourself.
this channel really inspires me Nate thank you
I was boring as hell when I was drinking. I spent my evenings drinking lol. Now my wife and I are learning to box together, we are training for a marathon, and when the kids go to bed we stay up and have conversations about our future. That’s fuckin cool, any married couple would agree.
There is actually a feeling of superior standing that I, non-drinker feel; (non being judmental, though, as we were there too)
I have no inclination to drink alcohol again. It’s such a downer in numerous ways.
I'm not sure how cool I am as a non drinker, but I know for certain I thought i was way cooler than I actually was as a drunk.
Currently spending a long holiday weekend with in laws, there’s enough booze here to open a store, thankfully they’re not the type to harass or pressure anyone to drink. Has been interesting in the morning since I’m usually one of the first ones up and I’m feeling great because I didn’t drink and watching some of the zombies emerge from their rooms. Then it’s kind of sad when you see Bloody Mary’s being consumed before noon. I can’t judge though as I’ve gone drink for drink with them in the past. My wife has even been fine with me not drinking, though I get the impression she thinks I’ll be back to it after awhile, I have no plans for that.