So this is something I’ve been meaning to post about for a while but never actually sat down and did, until now. It’s not a life altering post, but it’s something I find pretty annoying, patronising and a little boring by now, so here it is.
I don’t drink alcohol. I can’t really remember the last time I was drunk, and I think the last alcoholic drink I had was a Malibu and lemonade on New Year’s Eve, and even that was to appease everybody else (sadly). It’s not for religious reasons that I don’t drink, i’m not raising money for anything and I don’t have anything against alcohol or people drinking it. It just simply doesn’t appeal to me anymore.
Don’t get me wrong, 17 year old me would be like “what are you talking about?!” while primping herself ready for the local pub quiz with all the other underage-rs ready to go and get “off her head” on cider and blackcurrants and vodka and Coke’s. Though, even then I didn’t drink as much as other people I hung around with, but I never thought anything of it. Probably because I had to spend and drink so much to get drunk that it seemed more a chore than anything else.
Somewhere over the past year or so, I just stopped drinking alcohol. It didn’t bother me, I saved a lot of money and I always found myself preferring a nice refreshing drink over a spirit or mixer. Over time I started taking medication which advises that I shouldn’t mix it with alcohol, but I didn’t stop drinking because of that and I’d still have the same opinion regardless. Now for me, this isn’t a big deal. It’s just like someone not smoking, right?
Wrong. Telling people you don’t drink usually gets a reaction of horror and a barrage of questions and statements like “why?” “what?” “I couldn’t do that” “I wish I could stop drinking” “Go on, just have one!” etc. Rather annoying. Especially with me being a student at university, it’s like drinking is imperative and anything else makes you wrong. Me choosing to not drink alcohol shouldn’t affect anyone except me, my liver and my bank balance.
I’ve never considered myself one of those people that needs a drink to have a good time. Dancing In The Moonlight comes on when I’m out? I am right up there dancing away with my glass of (full fat) Coke. But, unfortunately I think people now view me as “boring” or “stiff” or like there’s something wrong with me. I find that so narrow minded. Alcohol can cause just the same amount of problems as smoking or drugs. Tell someone you don’t do drugs, everyone agrees and commends you. Tell someone you’d rather have water over vodka? Cue the gasps of incomprehension.
I just wanted to write this post to say that choosing not to drink alcohol is NOT a big deal. No matter what people think it is not a necessity for teenagers and young adults and you should not be pressured into thinking you have to drink because everyone else is.
You shouldn’t view or treat somebody different for their lifestyle choice. I don’t have a problem with you getting paralytic on a Saturday night (unless you’re gyrating on me or I have to hold your hair back) so don’t have a problem with me just choosing not to. Now I’m not saying that I’ll never drink alcohol again, but for now, I dont. Next time someone tells you they don’t drink, it’s fine to ask why, just try not to make them feel like an alien outcast.
Does anybody else have the same opinion, or am I actually weird? Please let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear what you guys think. Oh, and just to blow your minds a little bit more… I don’t drink caffeine either.
![I am totally captivated by this YA novel. I can’t wait to dive back in every time I have to put it down! Obsessed 🙏🏻
📖 fantasy romance
📖 rivals to lovers
📖 warring Gods
📖 WW2 historical fiction vibe
[gifted copy @harpervoyager_uk] @beccajross
#yanovels #yahistoricalfiction #bookblogger #booklover #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #ww2historicalfiction #romanticfantasy #rivalstolovers #bookreview #bookreviewer](https://www.amyjanealice.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Fabulous post Amy well done! It's amazing that you're standing up for what you believe in either, I don't think drinking is the be all and end all it's made out to be. I drink occasionally on a social event but I am not a huge fan of it either 🙂 xx
Thank you Olivia! It means a lot 🙂 There's such a huge stigma around it, especially when you're a student at uni! xx
Good for you, Amy!
I don't drink half as much as I used to after something really horrible happened to me when I got blind drunk last year and a friend of mine quit drinking a while back too. When I first found out I totally admit that I thought it would make him a little bit boring, but the transformation in him has been incredible! He's a lot more chatty and present and more willing to come out on a night out – I was 100% proved wrong, I love the sober version of him a million times more than the one where he used to drink.
I hope more people feel comfortable not drinking after reading this 🙂
Sophie
Thank you Sophie!
Ah no, I'm sorry to hear about that. I'm so glad there was a positive transformation!
I've never really had a significant event that stopped me, I just kind of went off it. I'm not saying I'd never touch the stuff again, it just bothers me that some people consider it such a huge deal!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting Sophie, it means a lot 🙂
Totally agree with this. Whether you drink or not should be up to the person themselves. You definitely don't need alcohol to have a good time. xx
Thanks Karishma. That's exactly my point. I'm not saying I'd never ever drink again, I just want to break this thought that alcohol is so important and neccesary for our generation! xx
I don't drink either, not because I'm against it or don't like it, I just don't fancy it. People are always shocked too!
Ahh it's so annoying isn't it! If it doesn't bother us, why does it bother any one else? So annoying xx
I don't really drink that much either now. Its probably because I don't really go out as much. My boyf is out every weekend and it doesn't really bother me any more. I still do like it now and again though 🙂 xx
Same here! Maybe if I loved going out every weekend it would be different, that's just not my personality or lifestyle though xx
THIS. JUST THIS. I do drink, very occasionally, but I actually hate the taste of most alcohol. Seriously though, it's mental. I don't like drinking or going out to clubs, it's just not my thing anymore. Get over it guys!
Thank you, Anastasia! I'm exactly the same! xx
I really loved this post. I still drink but very, very rarely and usually it's only because I'm expected to (other than some cocktails which I do actually enjoy!) My boyfriend is the same and we both get the reaction of horror when we attend family parties and so on when we decline drinks – and it baffles me! I hate the feeling of being drunk (and the hangover the next day) and I seriously don't believe it's worth it. Good on you for not giving in to pressure as a student – I would have found it much harder then as it's almost as if you're expected to constantly get drunk!
Beth x
Bethany Georgina
Thank you so much 🙂 Yeah every now and again I might have a cocktail but I do usually decline alcoholic drinks and I'm sick of being made to feel like an outcast for doing so!
I think because I live at home it's definitely easier for me to not give in to peer pressure.
Thank you for reading 🙂 xx
I totally get where you're coming from! I've really cut down on my alcohol intake over the past year and (shock horror – people change) I've stopped enjoying going to clubs. It's caused a lot of tension, to say the least. People always tell you that you're SO boring and that you're young and need to live a little. It's a bit sad, really, that people can't see that you can live without drinking alcohol. It's actually gone so far as for my cousin to be removed from my life. That's fine, because all's well that end's well, but seriously? People need to open their minds more. .
Sorry for the rant.. I tend to use commenting as therapy when I 100% agree with the subject!!
Chrissy x
http://www.chrissylilly.com
Hey Chrissy, rant away haha! 🙂
Yeah I 100% agree. I like staying in with my boyfriend with good food and a good film most weekends, but this doesn't make us boring! Plus, he enjoys going out with his mates quite often and so that just shows that if to him, who I've been with for over three years, doesn't consider it a big deal in the slightest, nobody else should!
I'm sorry to hear about your cousin, but well done for being you and sticking to your guns 🙂 xx
I love this post! I rarely drink because a) I don't actually enjoy it and b) I kinda like to healthy but I always find myself apologising for not being a drinker and I shouldn't be. You're right, it shouldn't be a big deal xx
Sam | Samantha Betteridge
Thank you for this post! I felt like I was the only one! I haven't drank alcohol for three and a half years now. I really overdid it when I was younger though and now just the smell of it makes me feel sick. I don't miss it at all, I've saved so much money and tbh I never really liked the taste anyway! I'm a uni student like you so it has been really difficult, I dread the comments and questions. I feel like people think I'm boring and don't want me to be there with them, but I still have a great time without being crazy drunk!
This is an informative blog. Thanks for sharing it with us. the tech magazine