I don’t know where I read that line recently, but it made me smile.
I LOVE that feeling of waking up after a night out, checking yourself and remembering that you didn’t touch a drop. I did that just this morning and I KID YOU NOT, I did a little air punch. I’m surprised I didn’t exit my bedroom and slide down the bannister, Mary Poppins style.
I went out for a big party last night and I was EXCITED to go. A feeling a little tipple would have enhanced- I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to murder a glass of wine. But of course I cannot. So, as I often do these days, I felt a little pang when I told a new acquaintance I don’t drink as she popped open a bottle of prosecco in her flat before we went out. But these pangs are shorter and shorter lived these days. I got to the bar, got myself a Becks Blue and settled in for the evening of mingling, chatting and giggling.
The night ended with a huge dancing session which, bearing in mind we were in a pub on a Wednesday night, was pretty bold. I got up, I danced, I threw my arms in the air and I thought thank GOD I am sober. I can guarantee that if I’d done the very same thing drunk I would have awoken the next day anxious at my ‘outrageous’ behaviour.
There’s a slight suggestion in the line ‘when you’re sober the party is the morning after’ that going out sober is a trial or an exercise in delayed gratification, and that your reward only comes when you awake hangover free, but I know that not to be true.
I never thought I’d enjoy going out sober, I thought it just wouldn’t be the same but I can confirm that IT IS FANTASTIC- it’s life affirming and self-esteem boosting.
I’ve blogged before about the feelings of elation I get when sober dancing that are almost as great as the ones I experienced with vodka in my veins. It’s awesome just being high on life. On a good day when I have energy, I feel a sober sparkle that’s as intoxicating as the false confidence alcohol brought.
I’m 180 days sober today and it’s not without its challenges, but it feels great to live another day alcohol free.
FitFatFood- Blogging to Stay Sober 
Loved this. So true, when the morning after you feel so proud! No parched lips, adhesive tongue and vertigo head to contend with … Just elated feeling!
Haha yes! I held back from dancing on the bar 😉
6 months FFF!! Rocking it girlfriend 😉 xx
Couldn’t agree more. I love it too and enjoy thinking about how poorly others will be feeling.
Sober dancing takes a while so you are well on there!
My main worry now is that people feel suspicious of me being sober, worried because I will remember the next day, vulnerable as my tongue is not loose enough to reciprocate forbidden gossip and I’ve noticed them sometimes stop short in conversation as is they think ‘ hang on here, you’re not drunk, I’d better not tell you’
Weird!? Or is it just me??
I totally get that, especially if you’re at a work function. People think you’re storing up info to use against them if they’re really cynical. But honestly most people don’t notice or care 🙂
Congratulations on 180 days! Amazing and inspiring…and love hearing the joy in this post, it gives me much hope:)
That’s so great to hear, it’s all true 🙂
Amazing description of a fab night out !
I too loved that first feeling of getting excited about a SOBER night out – like – what the fuck?! How is that even possible ??? But it is, and there’s party life after booze. Woo friggin’ hoo!!! Isn’t that a long awaited and well deserved emotion.
So glad you had fun, well done for rocking that sober tiara on the dance floor – flying our flag!
Love that you are finding some good times – long may it continue….
180 days!!!!
So happy for you – you star xxxxx
Hahaha thanks Carrie! Woo friggin hoo indeed! I’m out dancing tonight and I’ll be wearing a full sassy SOBER JUMPSUIT to go with my tiara 😉
Hello! I have to share that I just finished reading ALL of the blogs since January 2013 and I am so so inspired by your story so far and very much relieved that I am not alone in this battle. I am 48 years old and married with 3 children, so my life is full, no doubt. But I think I have come to a realization, among many others, that I have been putting more energy into drinking and thinking about drinking than I am caring about being a good Mother and Wife. Wow… how selfish is that?! Just after 3 days of not touching my nightly glass (or three) of Chardonney, I can already see how selfish alcohol makes me. The first of many lessons, I am sure of!!
I am excited to see that there is a better way, so THANK YOU!! It’s only Day 4 for me and I know there will be more challenges than I could ever imagine, but I want this badly. I have a long list of reasons to stop, and no reason at all to continue. And quite honestly, I love the quote from Jason Vales’ book, “There’s absolutely no benefit to drinking alcohol”.
I don’t run, but I swim 4-5 times a week and I know I will be a better athlete without the alcohol, not to mention a thinner one. Besides, swimming through a hangover at 5:00AM is SO not fun!! Why ask for that??
So, thanks again and keep doing what you’re doing. You are definitely giving back to your audience, more than you know. (:
Wow, thanks so much for commenting- sometimes it’s easy to forget you have readers.
It’s funny when I look back at my early blog posts, I had no *real* idea that alcohol was at the centre of all my problems, or that it would be so hard to give up.
Hope you’re still going strong. This is hard, expect it to be hard, but cherish the knowledge that it will be worth it. I promise 🙂
Well done on 180 days! You are amazing! So true, the title of your post. I’m only on day 11 and haven’t been to any parties sober yet but I can imagine how good waking up sober must feel. I remember a 40th party I went to a couple of years ago I woke up so hungover the next day that I spent the whole day lying on the couch feeling absolutely terrible, swearing to myself that I would never drink again! Which of course I did! I hope I will get to 180 days one day. A x
Thanks Angie. Well done on your first few weeks of sobriety. They say it and it’s true- hang in there long enough and it just gets better x
So totally agree~ feels utterly FAB!!! Keep fist pumping away my friend!
PS awesome job on 180 days!!!!!
I love this. I too recently had my first sober night out and it was so nice to wake up and feel great!! Thanks for the inspiration! Tomorrow is day 50 for me 🙂
Well done Sam! It’s all up from here- 50 days is awesome
Congratulations on 180 days, FFF! That is fabulous 🙂 And I love the descriptions of happy wild sober dancing, so cool 🙂 xx
Haha it felt pretty bloody cool at the time 😉 thank you x
Congrats on 6 months!
Thank you 🙂