Comments for The Dilettante

Comment on Not drinking alcohol, and what I’ve discovered. by Sken

Sken — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:09:05 +0000

Oddly, today is Friday and I thought to myself, geez, it is so strange that I’m not all hyped up because I will be partying tonight. I was quite the partier, not really during the week, only on a very rare occassion, but when it was Friday, it was time to let loose and enjoy. After kids came into my life, I started hanging at home and having a g/f over to drink with. My husband doesn’t like to sit around and drink, but I however didn’t care, as long as I was drinking and laughing it was all good. This obviously became a ritual, getting wasted on Friday night, laying around all day Saturday feeling horrible, worse hangover all day, and then of course on Sunday feeling pretty good and getting on with my life. Next week, same thing…but I loved it, I truely did. Well, one day I just “didn’t feel like it” my regular g/f warrior was sorta bummed, she would normally come hang out with me and drink, and after that I just stopped entirely. It has been 6 months, and I often wonder, what was it that made me just stop one day. I never looked back. Except the 1 time that I had a shot, which led to a beer, which, next thing I knew I was going to a club w/some friends, which led to me being carried home, and then oh, the aniexty attacks the hang over the next day, I literally thought I was going to die. Nope don’t miss that at all….Now, that Summer is approaching, hanging out on the deck, drinking w/friends, maybe I will indulge, just alittle, as I don’t have to get up at 6 a.m. with the kids etc….makes me alittle anxious to think about it. I get a bit of aniexty when I think about drinking now…so strange. But yes, I do feel much better, I think I look more rested, even though it was only a weekend thing and only 1 night at that, my head is clearer, I see things for what they really are, and now I realize how actually sad that was, I spend all week waiting for Friday night, which sometimes only lasted a few hours and I’d be in the bag, as my tolerance was low that night or whatever….Kodos to all those that at least take a break….its the best thing I ever did, whether it was a concious decision or not….:)

Comment on Not drinking alcohol, and what I’ve discovered. by Geoff

Geoff — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:01:13 +0000

Peter, I’ve been sober for over a year, and quit drinking for much of the same reason you did (see my earlier post Jan4,2012, in fact you should read all the posts if you haven’t already). I want to encourage you. You can do it! The corporations that advertise and sell that poison want us all to think that casual social drinking is good! What a crock! They are getting rich off people’s misery. You and I are so much better off with a normal, untainted, nervous system. The successful people I respect most do not drink.
Keep hanging in there…
Geoff

Comment on Not drinking alcohol, and what I’ve discovered. by Cat

Cat — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:09:08 +0000

Good for you! I know you can do it. I drank rarely as well before I met my now husband 2 1/2 years ago. He always has wine and booze at the house and I found myself drinking much more after we moved in together. He drinks a lot and pressures me to drink. All of his family drinks and there is always alcohol at every occasion. I quit only one week ago, on Earth Day, April 22, 2013. I am looking for support to help me through this. I feel much better physically and mentally after only stopping for one week. I may check out AA or Alanon.

Comment on Not drinking alcohol, and what I’ve discovered. by Ross

Ross — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:42:57 +0000

There is absolutely no chance of anyone finding anything contradictory to your statement…. I’m coming up to 2 years this June 10.13 and still feel that awesom.

Comment on Not drinking alcohol, and what I’ve discovered. by jtarar

jtarar — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 04:16:12 +0000

I quit drinking nearly 6 months ago and I can honestly say that I’ve never felt so powerful in my adult life as I do today. I will never go back to drinking ever again. I used to be a weekend warrior, waiting for the weekend to get hammered, only to go crawling back to work on Monday in a terrible mood and hating my life and my job. Now I never drink even a single drink and I feel freakishly awesome. My mind is so sharp. I never dread going to work. I wake up super early ever morning and work out every day. I remember everything that goes on every single day. I never forget anything at work and my performance at work has never been better. I have a much better sex life. All benefits of being sober far outweigh the benefits of drinking. And when I see a drunk person, I feel bad for them and realize how low class I was actually acting. Some of these folks walking out of the pubs at night look like hobos and I wonder if I used to look like that. Yes I probably did look like a hobo to someone totally sober. Try it out folks. There is no doubt in my mind that being totally sober is much better for your health than being a drinker. I will also add that since I’ve quit drinking, all the problems in my life have magically been lifted. My temper and attitude has improved dramatically for the better. I’ve lost about 10 pounds and people who haven’t seen me in a while say I look better than ever. I believe someday people will find that alcohol has no benefit whatsoever and science will prove that it is terribly detrimental to our health just like smoking. I encourage anyone to try giving it up for 6 months and report something contradictory to my statements.

Comment on Not drinking alcohol, and what I’ve discovered. by Peter

Peter — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 09:15:35 +0000

Just reread this and there are a heap of typos, blinking iPads and auto correct.. You get the idea though.

Comment on Not drinking alcohol, and what I’ve discovered. by Peter

Peter — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 09:13:21 +0000

I’m on day 8, this is my first real attempt. I’ve been very heavy since I was about 14, although what you old say a functioning alco.. Still I was a bottle or bottle and a half of red a night and usually 2 nights out where nothing could happen. God knows how many beers and then often coke or MDMA on those nights. I’m 38 and have 2 kids and another on the way so really it’s nots a great look. I think you can kind of get away with in your twenties but in your thirties it’s time to slow down. I didn’t until last week and this is it. Told my wife and mum I was done and a few close mates, all very supportive and I think they all knew I was on a road to nowhere. I must say I’ve had On my way! Cravings for a nice chilled glass of white. Had one appointment with a d and a councillor, don’t think as is for me and I have my plan. I’ve been lucky, nothing really bad has happened to me, I’ve got a house, wife and business. I’ve had 2 good mates killed because of booze and an uncle. Another 2 in have been to prison so I’m quitting whilst I’m ahead.

What I’ve noticed though is how much more confident I feel already, I was always hungover so normally had that slightly paranoid feeling or as we call it the booze blues.

Also I did a search on famous/successful people that gave up drinking and I’m not saying that’s why I did it but I do honestly believe if you want a career you will do better and make more money if your clean.

Anyhow folks that’s me and my two pence worth..

Comment on Not drinking alcohol, and what I’ve discovered. by Art.

Art. — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 21:34:37 +0000

Starting day 62 for me. Been drinking pretty hard for 40 years. Took a year of when I was in my late 20′s. Now have decided to quit once and for all. It wasn’t as tough as I thought it would be. I’ve found the older I get, the more accepting by my friends of my decision. No hassles. Been in situations where I thought it would be too tough not to drink, But within 2 hours everyone was pretty drunk and I just had a nice evening of it. Been getting great sleep. Was tired and non-productive for a while, but all that has now passed.

Comment on Not drinking alcohol, and what I’ve discovered. by Kristi

Kristi — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:41:16 +0000

Well done! Yes it’s great to feel good about ourselves instead of slightly guilty all the time. Actually stopping is easier than struggling with ourselves about whether we can or can’t stop drinking, i think anyway. People do amazing things every day, we can break a bad habit if we put our minds to it. Good luck!

Comment on Not drinking alcohol, and what I’ve discovered. by Nico Williams

Nico Williams — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 07:59:03 +0000

Your post really is helping me out right now.. Thank you