I am one of those people who can come off as having a really intricate relationship towards alcohol. It really isn’t all that complicated, but the conversation often comes with a lot of explaining and excuses as to why I am not having a drink. What it all boils down to: I drink when I want to, and don’t drink when don’t feel like it. Simple as that! I just wish it was that easy explaining to new people why I don’t feel like having a alcoholic beverage. Cause you do feel kind of strange when you are the only person at a party not drinking. The loser. The really conservative one. The odd man out. I’ve even been asked if I’m pregnant!
So there I find myself again. At a party with my glass of water having a 30 minute conversation with a new acquaintance trying to explain why I won’t be drinking that night. I could’ve just said “I don’t want to” or “I don’t feel like it”. That should have been more than an okay answer, but in our society that is just not how it works. Especially in this season. The festive one. We are surrounded by alcohol at this time of year, and as a 21 year old girl you are expected to participate in the fun and get really, really, really drunk at least seven times before January 2017 smacks you right on the nose with it’s “new start”. That doesn’t work for me.
I drink when I want to, and don’t drink when don’t feel like it. Simple as that!
If you don’t know me that well you must be extremely curious as to why I don’t drink too much. So once again let me explain: I get awfully sick when I drink alcohol. It’s to the point where I wonder if life has ever been that bad. It’s like getting the flu, like the really bad ones where you need help with getting to the bathroom. I know what you’re thinking. “We all get hangovers!”, but gurl, you don’t know the least of what you’re talking about. Call me when you get the flu, and we’ll talk about you feeling that bad every weekend. Nah, didn’t think so.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind alcohol in itself. I don’t mind people around me drinking AT ALL. I’ll dance with you and act all crazy the whole night too. I’ll be the driver, I don’t mind. It’s just the combo of me + alcohol that doesn’t work, not me + fun. Sure, I can handle a drink or maybe even two, but at that point it seems unnecessary. I’ll save that money (and not that I’m counting, but I’ll save those calories too) for something that does me better. I do wish it will someday magically change, cause like I said earlier an “allergy” like this is kind of frowned upon in our society. But right now I’m honestly just better off without alcohol.
So when you see me having a sip of my water at one of this year’s parties, you’ll know why. I just don’t feel like it. I’ll enjoy the new year – with or without alcohol!
Tekst og foto: Ine Rossebø Knudsen
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