chordcowboy

Well, I ended up at two large family social events this weekend rather than one.

I felt pretty relaxed going into the first one and did not expect to be tested too hard...that turned out to be a bit presumptuous!

I had arranged to drive for both events so that should be that - right?...Wrong!

Once several people found out I wasn't drinking they began what I can only describe as a campaign to change my mind! It involved guilt trips ('We only see you a few times a year' and 'it is not natural, you without a pint!') Multiple plans were laid at my feet regarding how I could get home that night and pick the car up the next day. Also the 'well you can still have one or two and drive' comments as well.

All in all, I reckon that I fended off around 30 or so quite concerted attempts on each night from various family and friends. It was the pervading topic of discussion around me and with me.

I will be honest, it was a bit exhausting and frankly I ended up wanting a beer!

I didn't have one though and despite being a bit grumpy over the weekend I am very glad this morning.

I confess, I wasn't quite ready for such a vivid response!

Still, here I am - day 16.....

CC

ZHIK

Great going!! I once heard someone say that if you change, people get upset. Partly that's because you are doing what they haven't been able to btw.

People will do this until they give up and are used to you not drinking. And in the end, it's not that bad, is it? I personally find those type of responses from people funny. It's amusing.

Again GREAT going!

chordcowboy

Thanks ZHIK - turns out I needed that! LOL!

CC

Dee74

At least now the hurdle has been met and bested Chord Cowboy
Good for you for staying true

D

chordcowboy

Thanks Dee! :-)

Della1968

Great job!! People will bug you less as time goes on

IOAA2

Congratulations!

I’ve seen too many fail under those conditions, continue the changes required for continual sobriety.

BE WELL

dwtbd

Who needs an AV with friends and family like that?!!
Awesome show of resolve, loook out 'gun show', sober muscle gun show! You got this

TomTom75

Well done cowboy, your'e a rootin tootin sober machine!

chordcowboy

LOL! Thanks dwtdb, made me smile!

Well, I don't feel any animosity towards them personally at all. It was all very friendly and the people in question all seem to be able to handle a 'good blowout' at such events and then just get on with their lives as normal. Good for them. It did show how central alcohol is to the social occasions in our family though - certainly a big contributor to my own tribulations, though I am not making excuses.

My grumpiness probably came as a result of having to fend it all off two nights running at a rather early stage in my own commitment. This included drunk folks who had forgotten they had been through it all with me already coming and starting again an hour later...then an hour after that! LOL!

As you say though, a good work out for the sobriety muscles!

Thanks a lot for all your messages folks, I appreciate them! For a while over the weekend I did feel like the last human on earth not drinking, LOL!

CC

chordcowboy

'Well done cowboy, your'e a rootin tootin sober machine!'

Thanks TomTom75 - spent too long as a 'boozin' losin' drinking machine' so sounds like progress! :-)

CC

TomTom75

Me too mate. The sober sherriff cama a callin' though...