To drink, or not to drink, that is the question:

How do we decide if we’re going to drink on any given day? 

Rock Bar, Bali

Usually factors like work, children, responsibilities, playing and training for sports or having to drive.  But society leans so strongly toward drinking that if we don’t have a reason not to drink, then the assumed answer is “to drink!”.

In an old Friends episode Rachel (who is 30-something and pregnant) is going on a date with a new guy.  She doesn’t want to tell him she’s pregnant, so before leaving for her date she asks Joey’s opinion on what she should say when her date questions why she’s not drinking.  Her options are:  “… A) I’m a Morman; B) I’m a recovering alcoholic or; C) I got so wasted last night I’m still a little drunk”.

Why is not drinking on a date so unusual that we would feel we have to come up with an excuse as to why we’re not drinking in the first place?  It’s like coming up with reasons for not doing our homework: “Sorry Miss, the dog ate my... liver”.    Where does this come from?

Alcohol looks most appealing when it’s drunk by characters in films and on television.  I’m thinking attractive men and women sipping fancy cocktails in cosmopolitan cities and tropical islands.   Just writing about it makes me feel like a drink, but the irony is that they’re not even drinking alcohol!  I wonder how much of our desire to drink actually comes from this unrealistic Hollywood illusion?  The drinks in the above photo are non-alcoholic.  Does that change their appeal?

My binge-drinking past and my current sobriety allows me to see both sides of the argument “To drink, or not to drink”.   Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

NOT TO DRINK

* Productivity – I’m powering through goals faster than ever before.

* More energy – I signed up to do my first half-marathon and I can safely say I don’t think I could do it if I was drinking.

* Clarity – My awareness has expanded, my mind is sharper and I feel creatively alive.

* Strength – Physically, mentally and emotionally I feel like The Hulk!  

* Health – My lifestyle has naturally become healthier and more balanced from my eating habits, to exercise and activities.

* Wealth - I'm not just saving money, but I'm spending money on experiences that are more meaningful to me.

* Relationships – I’ve become much more reliable!  No more social no-shows due to hangovers.

* Long Weekends – No time wasted paralysed on the couch nursing a hangover means weekends feel longer.  Which brings me to the most obvious bonus of not drinking… No dreaded hangover!

* Happiness - All of the above positives work together increasing my overall happiness within myself and in all areas of my life.

TO DRINK

So far I haven’t come up with any good reason to drink…


If you're looking for an excuse to have a month without alcohol check out: http://febfast.org.au/ or http://www.dryjuly.com/?gclid=CODL6d3vi7ACFYY3pAoddyfJow

If you would like to support the cause you can recommend this page below or donate here: http://www.everydayhero.com.au/sarah_walton_6