The Daily Balance

I know I may have mentioned it a few times before, but I don’t drink alcohol on a regular basis. For whatever reason, this is of great interest to many of you, so I’ve decided to finally discuss it here on the blog.

“You don’t drink? Why…?”

Some comedian said that no one ever asks that about anything else, like “You don’t eat mayonnaise? Why…?” Most people assume that people who do not drink are either uber religious or a recovering alcoholic, neither of which makes a good impression. You’d think alcohol consumption was a personal choice — so why is that question always asked with such disdain? It seems to come with a tinge of ‘What the f**k is wrong with you?’ Maybe I’m projecting, but still, it definitely comes with a sprinkling of, ‘You are not like the rest of us.’ But not surprisingly, I’ve found that those who are the least comfortable with it, are usually those who struggle the most with drinking themselves. 

Note: I also don’t “do” drugs, but that’s more widely accepted and I don’t think it requires a post.

The truth is, I don’t have any crazy reasons — I just don’t really see the point.

Have I drank before?

Yes. Too much, at times? Yes. Did I “party” in college? Yes. Are those the memories I cherish most? No.

I don’t know about you, but downing glasses of liquid calories + sugar to “have a good time” that I won’t remember doesn’t really sound like a “good time.” Please understand that I don’t want to sound preachy — it’s why I’ve avoided this post for so long — but there are few “one night, when I was SO drunk” stories that end well. Few people are having as much fun drinking as they think they are. They just don’t realize it because they’re drunk.

Do I judge those who drink?

NO. Many of my good friends and family members, including the Mister, drink on a regular to semi-regular basis.

What I want people to know

Just because I don’t drink, doesn’t mean I’m not fun. I’m not prude, my closet isn’t full of turtlenecks and you don’t have to look around nervously if you curse. I’m just like you. Those who know me well, know that I am often times the life of the party without alcohol. I think they’re actually afraid of how I might act with one too many drinks in me.

Bottom line: I’m not judging you for drinking, so please don’t judge me for not.

Do I ever drink? EVER?

Yes. Maybe once or twice a year. When the celebration calls for it – but it’s not a large part of my life and I certainly don’t need it to have fun.

The bottom line…

When I think about what I want out of this life — health, well-being, quality time with my little family –  and who I want to be, It’s easy to see that alcohol doesn’t really have a place. And as far as “enjoying a glass of wine with my meal,” I’d much rather swap those sugar + calories for a cupcake

What about you? Do you drink? Why or why not? And why is this such a big deal to some people?

13 Responses to “Why I Don’t Drink”

1. Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope said:

   I do not drink at all. I think it is because I grew up in a family surrounded by alcohol at all times. I saw how dumb people acted, and I saw how the “fun times” turned into alcoholism and the ultimate death of my mother and step-father. It just isn’t worth it to me. Sometimes, i would like to be one of those people who goes to wine tastings and orders a glass of wine, just for simply enjoying food! And maybe someday if i go to Italy or somewhere, I will enjoy a glass. But it comes down to the fact that I don’t really enjoy the flavor, I don’t want to hang out in bars, or “go out for drinks,” anyway, and i would not want to risk being an alcoholic since it clearly runs in my family!

   Posted on September 26, 2011 at 2:29 pm | Reply
   • thedailybalance said:

     alcocholism runs in my family, too! so not worth the risk

     Posted on September 26, 2011 at 2:32 pm | Reply
2. Erin (Travel Eat Repeat) said:

   I think we have the exact same reasons for (mostly) not drinking — I feel like I always have to clarify ‘I don’t drink’ with ‘I rarely drink.’ I might have a drink every couple of weeks, usually a glass of wine at a social occasion, but my friends think it’s freakish and weird.

   I especially love your comment about how drinking alcohol is the only non-consumption people question like that. *Not* doing everything else is just accepted!

   Posted on September 26, 2011 at 4:52 pm | Reply
3. Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me said:

   I definitely did my fair share of drinking during the college years and about a year post-college. But I’m over it. I’m tired of waking up with a terrible hangover and staying up to all hours of the night. I’d rather have a good time (sans booze), get my rest and wake up the next day feeling fresh and new. The people who have the hardest time with this are my college friends and even my fiance, though he’s not as bad as my friends. They don’t understand why I’ve “slowed down” so much and it’s a constant battle at every party with the pressure to consume alcohol. I don’t understand it. If they are having a good time why does it matter what I’m drinking? I’m still laughing and having a good time so what’s the point? I think it makes people question their actions and they don’t like that.

   Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:16 pm | Reply
4. Marcelyn said:

   Well said! As a college student I am constantly having to defend myself on why I choose not to drink at parties. And on the occasion that I do, everyone likes to make a big deal about it- I’ll have to direct them to this blog post the next time that it happens

   Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:32 pm | Reply
5. VeggieGirl said:

   Nope, don’t drink. Except too much water

   Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:39 pm | Reply
6. Jarrod @ Optimistic Journey said:

   I applaud you for being very open, honest and real. One sentence you made that was an “ahah” moment for me was when you said, you can be the life of the party without drinking. Sometimes, most people go around so stressed with the workday or work week, and when party time comes, they feel they have to have something to drink to relax or fit in. But I say kudos to those who don’t have to have the fix in order to fit in with the crowd. I don’t drink either. I’m like you, I may drink when the occasion calls for it but for the most part I’m not one to drink just to fit in.

   Thanks for sharing!

   Jarrod Clark

   Posted on September 27, 2011 at 12:34 am | Reply
7. Lizzette S. said:

   I don’t drink either. My dad was an alcoholic and I just don’t enjoy the taste of beer (never had) or wine. I may have a glass of Champagne on new year’s eve, that is all my alcohol drinking.

   Posted on September 27, 2011 at 7:52 am | Reply
8. Carolina John said:

   I don’t drink much either, it’s never been much of an issue. I used to party quite hard in college, but I was younger then. Now I tell people that I am old and the hangovers hurt too much to be worth it.

   Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:23 am | Reply
9. Kelly said:

   Nope, I don’t drink either. I did party in college, but I an honestly say I was never drunk where I could not remember what I said/did or the night. I never once wanted to be in the situation where I could not remember what I did, too scary. I hardly every drink either, maybe one sip hear or there when the Mister says Taste this. To mean, it is a waste of money (rather spend it on clothes or a vacation) and waste of time to have to go to the bathroom all the time lol. I can have lots of fun at dinner or out shopping and not spend money on a drink

   Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:43 am | Reply
10. Keyshia said:

    Have I drunk before

    Not have I drank before

    I’m drinking tonight. I drank last night. I drank a drink I’ve drunk before.

    Posted on September 27, 2011 at 4:01 pm | Reply
11. Colleen said:

    You are in good company! I have a history of alcoholism in my family too, but I mostly don’t drink because I just don’t care for it…and the side effects the following day (from just one measly drink) just aren’t worth it, to me.

    Posted on September 27, 2011 at 4:06 pm | Reply
12. Diana @ frontyardfoodie said:

    Personally I’m not much of a drinker. No alcoholism in my family but we always had wine with dinner growing up and I was exposed to the appreciation of flavor and technique rather than drunkedness.

    I don’t mind having a couple drinks here and there and the hubs and I brew beer but more than a couple just doesn’t make me feel good so I keep it down.

    Kudos on your stance and hopefully you feel the love rather than judgement!

    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:06 am | Reply