When I go to a restaurant or am hanging out at a get-together, I am usually the one that orders a diet soda or is sipping on hot tea. I don't particularly care for alcoholic beverages anymore and there are a few reasons why.
Let me preface this by mentioning that I am not judging anyone who does participate in social drinking or enjoying a nice beer from time to time. That's great. Enjoy your drinks and enjoy the company.
However, I choose not to drink for my own reasons. (In all honesty, I do have maybe 3-5 drinks a year, like half a glass of wine mixed with sprite)
When I graduated from high school, I was looking for ways to fit in with people. I was never one that could just go up to the popular kids and instantly be accepted. I had to work just to keep the friends I had. This led to some very dangerous and unhealthy habits, physically and mentally. I began to hang out with some old classmates that convinced me to drink with them. In my head, I knew it was wrong and unlike me to do so, but I wanted to fit in so badly that I went against my better judgment and lived to regret it. Fast forward to a year later. I was dating a guy that was slightly older than me and to fit in with his friends, I would sip some wine coolers.
At the time, I was so insecure and felt the need for approval from others that I was willing to risk losing my inhibition and do things that were shameful to me. I allowed others to influence my decisions and actions. I let the fear of not fitting in dictate how I lived my life.
So I choose not to drink not because I believe drinking is wrong or a horrible thing, but because I don't want to drink on their terms anymore. I want to have the strength and independence to decline a drink or to be able to leave at a moment's notice without putting anyone else's life at risk on the road. I don't ever want to be in a position again that I am unable to drive myself home or avoid dangerous situations. It is a strictly personal choice and one that solidifies who I am as a person now. Knowing that alcohol alters my mood and mental judgment is definitely a deterrent. I don't need to drink to be a more fun person because that just isn't me.
Society almost holds the idea that drinking is commonplace and those that don't drink are uptight and boring. Okay, maybe I am a little bit of both, but I'm willing to make a fool of myself, get up and dance, and take part in fun and games with the best of them.
Let me preface this by mentioning that I am not judging anyone who does participate in social drinking or enjoying a nice beer from time to time. That's great. Enjoy your drinks and enjoy the company.
However, I choose not to drink for my own reasons. (In all honesty, I do have maybe 3-5 drinks a year, like half a glass of wine mixed with sprite)
When I graduated from high school, I was looking for ways to fit in with people. I was never one that could just go up to the popular kids and instantly be accepted. I had to work just to keep the friends I had. This led to some very dangerous and unhealthy habits, physically and mentally. I began to hang out with some old classmates that convinced me to drink with them. In my head, I knew it was wrong and unlike me to do so, but I wanted to fit in so badly that I went against my better judgment and lived to regret it. Fast forward to a year later. I was dating a guy that was slightly older than me and to fit in with his friends, I would sip some wine coolers.
At the time, I was so insecure and felt the need for approval from others that I was willing to risk losing my inhibition and do things that were shameful to me. I allowed others to influence my decisions and actions. I let the fear of not fitting in dictate how I lived my life.
So I choose not to drink not because I believe drinking is wrong or a horrible thing, but because I don't want to drink on their terms anymore. I want to have the strength and independence to decline a drink or to be able to leave at a moment's notice without putting anyone else's life at risk on the road. I don't ever want to be in a position again that I am unable to drive myself home or avoid dangerous situations. It is a strictly personal choice and one that solidifies who I am as a person now. Knowing that alcohol alters my mood and mental judgment is definitely a deterrent. I don't need to drink to be a more fun person because that just isn't me.
Society almost holds the idea that drinking is commonplace and those that don't drink are uptight and boring. Okay, maybe I am a little bit of both, but I'm willing to make a fool of myself, get up and dance, and take part in fun and games with the best of them.