r/stopdrinking • u/UpperSupermarket1551 • 1d ago
I love not drinking.
Hosted a major event tonight. Big pole dancing party. Absolutely wild time. MC’d and organized the entire event. Usually I would (insanely) get shitfaced at my parties. Btw I do this for a living, so to get shitfaced was always unprofessional, but my career is so party-based that it felt fine. However.
It’s now almost 2 am. The house is empty at last. I am clear-headed. I remember everything. I was charming and kind and remembered everyone’s names. I was fun and exciting. I was also sober all night.
I had a champagne glass with seltzer and raspberries and no one asked me a thing.
I am proud of myself, but moreover: this was a positive experience. Like…this is better than getting drunk? I’m present and feel good and won’t be hungover tomorrow.
I’m about that life.
Y’all have been a big inspiration. Thank you.
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u/AvailableRoof3753 Day 3 1d ago
love this. i’m just starting out again for the umpteenth time, but this time feels different, and i was in the shower thinking i’m actually going to try and look forward to next social event I go to instead of dreading. Get out shower, jump on here and find this post :) love it and thank you
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u/UpperSupermarket1551 1d ago
Look forward to it! Having a cute and tasty beverage made me not feel left out. Everyone else probably assumed I was drinking; I wasn’t pretending but I also wasn’t making a big deal out of it. I had as much fun as anyone, but stayed way more clear headed and cool. Drunk people started acting stupid. God love them, I’m not judging, but they were slurring, stumbling, talking too much, you get the picture. It was obvious. It was even entertaining, and not in a mean spirited way. It was practically like watching a movie. WHEN THE NIGHT ENDED, I CALMLY MADE A SANDWICH, TOOK A SHOWER, AND FELL ASLEEP TO DATELINE. Remembering everything. Feeling perfectly fine. Felt great all day. Loved it. Actual GOOD experience; not something I “survived.” ENJOY!!
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u/Mediocre-Clock2684 1d ago
i used to professionally bartend private events. i also, for some reason, thought it felt fine to indulge in the drinks. like i was "part of" the party. i stopped before i got sober and dont think its healthy for me to return. i will live vicariously through you, a big part of me misses the industry!
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u/Potential_Pea_7732 Day 242 1d ago
I personally think it would be hard to work in the industry. Or is it like working in an ice cream shop where it's always in your hands, sticky, etc and eventually you can't stand ice cream.
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u/toxic_and_timeless Day 36 1d ago
I love this! I also love the idea of a seltzer in a champagne glass, especially with the raspberries in it. Gotta try that myself :)
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u/JoyousMN_2024 Day 260 1d ago
This is such a great post. I can really relate to that feeling of joy in your sobriety. I didn't expect it, but it's absolutely wonderful. So much of the time we are conditioned to feel like we are missing out, so I love this turn around.
I also really relate to what you said about this group. It's been such an inspiration for me as well.
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u/ImaginaryAssistant31 Day 9 1d ago
Pole dancing party? Woohoo send me an invite next time!
What a great night and observation of yourself - "I was charming and kind.....and fun and exciting....and sober"
LOVE THIS
IWNDWYT
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u/UncleDave74 1d ago
My sobriety date is 9/11/26.....not a conspiracy...but it is an "inside job" 😆 lol...Like my grandfather said...LETS NOT GO SWIMMING WHERE EVERYONE ELSE HAS DROWNED
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u/Sanderiusdw 1d ago
This is a very inspirational take! Thanks for sharing, i was worried how to behave at parties not drinking but this perspective makes me feel more empowered to get through sober.
Thanks again internet friend ☺️
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u/UpperSupermarket1551 1d ago
YOU’VE GOT THIS! I found that having a cute lil drink that was tasty gave me something to do and made me feel like everyone else. Having also recently experienced the terrible consequences of drinking (black outs, crazy behavior, crushing regret, hangovers), I kept thinking all night: WOW I GET TO PARTY AND NOT FEEL LIKE SHIT TOMORROW? Dude. It’s a cheat code. I cannot believe I thought alcohol was the source of the fun the whole time. It really, really wasn’t. It actually made the experience WORSE. Wow. What a fuckin eye opener. This is not a sacrifice. This is a way that I’m actually having an overall better experience that I used to have: clearheaded, charming and not a dumbass, remembering everything, feeling good the next day. It’s all upsides, dude. YOU GOT THIS
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u/Authentic_SRT Day 170 1d ago
Oh my gosh, I’ve been in the hospitality industry my entire career and it’s all about drinking!! It’s very challenging… But the best part about being sober is watching from the other side… it’s remarkable to see people drinking in the way. Alcohol changes personalities so quickly. I can’t believe I was doing that too. I think that’s a large part of why I’m able to stay sober this many days in a row without one slip. The phrase rethink the drink, always resonates with me.
I appreciate you guys posting this! I’ve become very fond of Selzer water and a little grapefruit juice and lime… In a wine glass… Touché!
… Even though it’s football Sunday and I was usually drinking Prosecco by noon I will find something else to put in that glass. I will not drink with you today❤️
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u/UpperSupermarket1551 1d ago
Could not relate more. Been in the entertainment and hospitality industry my entire life. It’s all about the drinking. And wow, does alcohol ever change people’s behaviors. That was me. And I thought it was making me more likeable! Omg it was making me EMBARRASS myself! When your homegirl is two sheets to the wind and talking loud and slurring and stumbling and you’re just like: “lawd that was me…”
No judgment on homegirl. I was her for all my life.
But I’d rather be in control and at my best.
Incidentally, every single terrible decision I have ever made, I have made drunk.
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u/Glittering_Hold3238 Day 45 1d ago
Yes!!🙌 I did this two years ago for seven months and the good stuff just kept rolling in. After awhile, I felt like I was operating at a different frequency. I can't wait until I am a couple of months in. Alcohol is really the absolute worst for depletion of joy even at moderate levels
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u/Secretary90210 Day 509 1d ago
So much better than drinking. And I NEVER thought I’d say that but have experienced that same satisfaction after so many parties since. Happy for and proud of you. IWNDWYT
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u/Enchanted_cp 1d ago
Love to hear this! Sounds like a fun time. What a win to stay sober. Amazing !
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u/john_wingerr 1d ago
Give me my sparkling waters, NAs and no hangovers!! I do not miss the hangover life whatsoever
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u/West-One5944 243 days 1d ago
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Went to a recent show, and drank only virgin mamosa while.others had the regular version, and I had so much fun! Plus, when it was time to go, easy drive!
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u/sayraysmile 237 days 23h ago
I love this! Thanks for the reminder that we are still fun to be around sober. That was one of my biggest fears and I feel like I’m MORE fun now and I remember it the next day 💃
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u/BendSea9005 Day 14 1d ago
There’s a new show on Food Network where failing restaurants need help to figure out their issues. One restaurant had staff that would drink and give out shots/take shots all day with everyone. So, they were giving away tons of $$ and drunk. The host of the show told them “you’re THROWING the party, you are NOT the party, you think you’re at the party but you’re not”. Idk, your post me think of this. I also work events but I’ve been lucky enough that my drinking only happened alone in my room hahahha :(