Sobriety | 0% DAYS Lager
Blasting Zach Bryan’s “I Remember Everything” – yeehaw, now that's a song! Shifting away from politics momentarily this week, let's delve into the second pillar of this award-winning blog – Booze, or in this case, the absence of it (not forever, I promise).
This post proved more challenging than usual in finding the right words. While I typically adopt a light-hearted approach to my topics and engage in playful banter, I must acknowledge that this subject is a bit more serious. Before we proceed, let's raise awareness about this beautifully dangerous nectar. I might not be the best guide for finding the right support, but AA often serves as a good starting point. Everyone should be aware of their consumption levels and stay safe, as excessive drinking can have dire consequences. I usually avoid heavier subjects, but I felt it necessary to address this before returning to the usual 'Jimmy.'
Sobriety – although moderation is key in everything, this sweet nectar can be quite the menace. On a personal note, did I quit drinking because it was getting out of hand? The simple answer is no. I stopped for mainly three reasons, rather abruptly. There wasn't too much thought put into it. If you ever reach the point of 'should I,' go for it, my friend! Regardless of your reasons, it can only lead to positive outcomes.
Let's begin by discussing the obvious - Health. It's a no-brainer really; less poison for your liver means a lower likelihood of needing a pig's liver. Consider your size, tolerance, and mood. You might be downing four big boys (beer), sipping on a couple of dodgy uncles (whiskey), or even indulging in a threesome of skinnies (vodka soda). Regardless of your poison, there are situations where we find ourselves consuming more than we should. More outings, more weddings, and always that one colleague who extends the work drinks longer than necessary, be it to escape talk of targets and KPIs or to avoid making comments about the bride's quirky cousin. For social events, I often relied on timeless classics like the old-fashioned, a skinny bitch, or a reliable vino. All of this was adding up, and Jimmy was slowing down on the treadmill!
Proving it to myself – Why even go down this path in the first place? It's not that I slack off on everything else, but I've missed a publication deadline or two. Life can get busy. After some introspection, I realized I'm diligent in my job but not so much with anything related to self-improvement or pursuing my passions. Fun fact: I decided to be a whiskey guy at 16 (not condoning underage drinking, it was a specific situation, blah, blah, blah). I'm not entirely sure why I made that choice. Was it to prove to the lads that I could handle my whiskey or to remind the ladies that whiskey breath doesn't enhance my flirting skills? Regardless, it seems I got one of them right. Haters will claim I didn't take that commitment seriously. Can I now prove to myself that I don't like it too much?
Connected to the previous point, it's important not to let fun drinking become a defining aspect of your personality. I used to convince myself that I was more fun with 8 grams in my bloodstream. Oh, the philosophical conversations I've had alongside a cold blonde (the drink, gentlemen, the drink). It loosens the tongue and gets the creative juices flowing like nothing else. It might even make you believe you can tackle the intricacies of politics. While all of this is great, as I grow older, there's an inner voice asking if I can maintain that passion-driven ease in complex conversations and social settings without resorting to desperate desperados.
Has anything changed? Not really, except for the fact that I don't seek social outings as much as I used to. Another commonly asked question is whether I plan to continue after the six-month period. The simple answer is no. I've just started writing about drinking and politics, and trust me, you don't want to read only politics from me! This has been a rather personal journey, but I believe it's essential to transparently discuss the why, how, and the path forward. Just as I aim to share my journey in understanding politics with a capital P, I still want to explore topics that are closer to my day-to-day life.
See you next week! Stay healthy, stay aware, and drink responsibly, folks!
James-Alexander