Almost there....

It's January 29th, which means today is day 29 of not drinking.  I must say the challenge for this month has been rather easy.  There really has only been a few moments where a drink would've been ideal.  I think what I'll take away from this month the most is to really think about whether or not I want that drink when I'm out... because truth for me is that I never really need it.  It's also been nice saving money while out to eat and not to mention I choose restaurants that are in the two star category when I'm not drinking.  Although it will be nice to go out to a nicer restaurant next month.  One other thing I noticed was the only time I really had to make a conscious choice not to drink was when I was out with others that were drinking.... AND maybe when I broke my wrist.

What I'm really missing

It's January 18th... which means it's now been 18 days alcohol free.  What I'm continuing to notice is how many events I go to that include drinking.... and are just part of the natural routine.  But what I'm really missing... is splitting a bottle of wine with a friend!! Sitting and drinking water with someone at a restaurant just doesn't bring out the same experience.  This brings me to my next point...I really enjoy going out to dinner and making it an experience.  Starting off with a drink...  talking... sipping...talking... drinking....and then maybe ordering an appetizer...while still enjoying my drinks.... talking... and then maybe order a salad... another drink... at this point we are probably an hour and a half into the evening....  and then after the waiter/waitress has come over several hundreds of times I finally say I'm ready to order.  All and all it's around a 3 hour minimum experience.  Let's just say I haven't had anything like that in over 18 days and THAT is what I'm missing!!!  My dinner/lunch outings are lasting maybe 1 hour tops...and I mean tops!!! so ... so much for the dining experience... it's just not that fun right now.... so what am I supposed to do with this?? not sure yet.... 

What I've noticed

okay.... so it's been 11 days no with no alcohol.  In all honesty it's felt fairly easy to not drink.  There have only been a few exceptions to that..where I had a slight cringe - like in the airport when I found out my flight was delayed for over four hours (I mean doesn't that make anyone want to drink!)....  or when I  recently went out of town to visit a friend that's been grieving and she wanted to drink and instead I had to say I'm not drinking... I think I ordered 5 waters.... which made me really happy when the bill came!

thoughts so far:
I like how much money I'm saving
It's only in the moment I've felt bummed about passing on alcohol (wanting a glass of wine)
After dinner I'm happy about my decision not to drink
There is an element of social pressure that I just naturally drink when others are without thinking if I really want to or not.
Alcohol is expensive
I like not being woken up by wine in the middle of the night
Fine...I'm missing a glass of wine... okay....maybe two...