My Alcohol Experiment: Day 14

Day 14 of The Alcohol Experiment: how to be social whilst sober.Oh man. This entry today made me think a lot about dating in my 20s. Every supposition Annie Grace makes is something I thought was my truth. Alcohol makes me more attractive, wittier, and more fun. Meeting new people is easier with a drink. I can’t let loose without alcohol. And definitely can’t date without it! Or so I believed.I am an extrovert, and have always possessed enough social skills and self-confidence to be proud of how I present myself. Yet I still believed these things.I wasn’t crippled by my reliance on alcohol in social situations. Sure, I made a fool of myself a few times (maybe more than a few) but I also had a hell of a lot of fun in my 20s. So, no regrets. Just gratitude that I am taking this journey now.I met my husband when I was 26. We were set up by a mutual friend and met for brunch on a mild, sunny February morning in Manhattan. We ate a delicious brunch, during which I was jonesing for a mimosa but wanted to keep my wits about me so opted for an orange juice instead. We spent almost the entire day together, walking all over Central Park and talking for hours on end. It was one of the best days of my life. And what I never appreciated until now is that we were both totally sober the entire day. I got to know my husband (and he got to know me) in a completely authentic way, unmarred by booze.I still remember what I wore that day (cowgirl boots!), and I remember feeling fabulous and confident. And now I wish I could go back and tell myself, “See? You don’t need alcohol to feel and be your amazing self!”Well, better late than never. We don’t need alcohol to feel and be our amazing selves. How great is that?![The Alcohol Experiment is a free, interactive 30-day program designed by Annie Grace, author of This Naked Mind. For more information: www.alcoholexperiment.com.]