I skipped 69 boozy brunches…here’s what you should know.
Pre-pandemic weekends consisted of bar hopping, Uber-ing, and mischief. Here’s how they’ve changed in the last 69 weeks…
Friday Night — Whether it’s in indulging in warm naan & curry at a bougie Indian restaurant or binging “Love is Blind” on Netflix, I always feel refreshed & recharged (rather than shaky & nauseous) in the morning.
Saturday — Bottomless mimosas are out; iced coffees are in! I get to grab coffee with friends & family, or alone.. Like most introverts (and only children), I love alone time. Drinking disguised me as an extrovert. But packing my schedule with parties deprived me of time to work on passion projects. Passion projects matter, because they turn into side hustles, financial freedom, and ultimately fulfillment.
Not only do I have more time to dedicate to projects, but I also have the creativity needed to execute. Writing anything worth reading is impossible when booze are involved. Wine doesn’t make you more creative, it just makes you sleepy.
Sunday (Funday?!) — Sundays are still a “get your sh*t together” day. But instead of buying more Ibuprofen & Pedialite, I get to buy Athleta leggings and investments. Instead of canceling a date at the last minute, I spend time with my partner checking out real estate or luxury spas.
Sometimes I find myself remincising on my drinking days, however I don’t actually miss the booze…
I miss living in 2 mile radius of all my friends.
I miss getting ready with 20 girls for formal.
I miss hosting rowdy pre-games on a whim.
I especially miss waking up in the sorority house…
Life — whether it relates to career, relationships, health, or money, is tremendously easier without booze.
But it’s hard to separate the memories made while drinking, from the inherent fun of living in a college town.
If you find yourself reminiscing on “the good old days,” think about what’s next. Why did you take a break from booze? Was it to reduce your anxiety? To prevent stupid fights? To start a business? Whatever your reason, I can assure you there’s still room to pursue those goals AND be social.
Socializing might look different (visiting coffee shops instead of sports bars, going to pilates instead of the club, drinking green juice instead of margs), but the joy of connecting with others is the same.
Since taking a break from booze, I’ve moved, changed jobs (3x), and significantly increased my salary.
Before a plane takes off, the runway must be cleared.
Before your life can expand, the toxicity must be cleared.
Whatever the vice, you have the power to do things differently. If this ex-sorority girl can convert from cranberry vodkas to Starbucks cold-brews, anything is possible.
