sydney mardi gras
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 11
sydney mardi gras
Just a little venting. I don't mean to be negative but I can't help feeling a little resentful...
Each year, I used to attend the mardi gras parade with a group of close friends, i must say I have good memories of this, and yes there was definitely a fair amount of beers involved.
Tonight is the event and even though I wasn't included in the group going, I would have declined regardless, because I see no point in hanging out at such an event with my bottle of water and surrounded by everyone in a various stages of inebriety.
So instead, I'm just home by myself and my 2 siamese cats, eating a fair amount of chocolate and watching some netflix.
I can't help but contemplating a fair bit of isolation ahead. Booze is everywhere and so entrenched in society, especially in australia.
I comfort myself in the thought that I will sleep well and wake up with a clear head. Tomorrow I won't envy the mardi gras hangovers!
Each year, I used to attend the mardi gras parade with a group of close friends, i must say I have good memories of this, and yes there was definitely a fair amount of beers involved.
Tonight is the event and even though I wasn't included in the group going, I would have declined regardless, because I see no point in hanging out at such an event with my bottle of water and surrounded by everyone in a various stages of inebriety.
So instead, I'm just home by myself and my 2 siamese cats, eating a fair amount of chocolate and watching some netflix.
I can't help but contemplating a fair bit of isolation ahead. Booze is everywhere and so entrenched in society, especially in australia.
I comfort myself in the thought that I will sleep well and wake up with a clear head. Tomorrow I won't envy the mardi gras hangovers!
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,355
I'm an Aussie too 
I got through the resentment, wishing I was 'normal' and feeling that it wasn't fair to a place now where I love my sober life and I'll fight to keep it.
I'm the happiest I've ever been - and all I had to do was give up drinking.
Still seems like a sweet deal to me
D
I got through the resentment, wishing I was 'normal' and feeling that it wasn't fair to a place now where I love my sober life and I'll fight to keep it.
I'm the happiest I've ever been - and all I had to do was give up drinking.
Still seems like a sweet deal to me
D
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 437
Originally Posted by Dee74 
I'm the happiest I've ever been - and all I had to do was give up drinking.
Still seems like a sweet deal to me
D
Still seems like a sweet deal to me
D
Rather similar to South Africa in a way.
Difficult to think of an event where booze is not very close to the centre of the occasion.
B.
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 928
I have no problem with a free spirited, wide open drinking culture of many big cities, such as where a Mardi Gras takes place. No resentment at all.
But put me in a stuffy, upper-crust, wine and cheese type setting with suit and tie and white table cloths and I can't get drunk fast enough if I can keep it down without regurgitating. Big resentment there. Something to work on.
But put me in a stuffy, upper-crust, wine and cheese type setting with suit and tie and white table cloths and I can't get drunk fast enough if I can keep it down without regurgitating. Big resentment there. Something to work on.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,462
I think it's important to fix or ignore that sense or remorse or loss towards alcohol. Focus on all the life improvements that come with sobriety.
That daily sense of remorse and "missing out" was the reason for my many relapses.
I'm not missing out on anything while sober. I love this stuff😊
That daily sense of remorse and "missing out" was the reason for my many relapses.
I'm not missing out on anything while sober. I love this stuff😊
instant
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 5,711
Hey Quiet- I hear it rained anyway!!!
I have been sober now for over 5 years. I found that in time I can socialise with people drinking in a party atmosphere on my own terms- I can actually enjoy myself but usually I leave a lot earlier than the others. Usually before someone falls over, or gets emotional
In my first 6-12 months I had all sorts of issues with these type of scenarios. Early on I would get triggers and strong urges, later they faded to a wistful longing brought on by social contexts. The first few changes to spring brought them back as faded echoes. I used to worry about what to say and do- rehearse my responses etc etc etc
Over time it all fades, I go out and chose not to drink- surprisingly over time how many people say they admire the decision. it's incredible to experience that in the end it becomes no big deal.
I have been sober now for over 5 years. I found that in time I can socialise with people drinking in a party atmosphere on my own terms- I can actually enjoy myself but usually I leave a lot earlier than the others. Usually before someone falls over, or gets emotional
In my first 6-12 months I had all sorts of issues with these type of scenarios. Early on I would get triggers and strong urges, later they faded to a wistful longing brought on by social contexts. The first few changes to spring brought them back as faded echoes. I used to worry about what to say and do- rehearse my responses etc etc etc
Over time it all fades, I go out and chose not to drink- surprisingly over time how many people say they admire the decision. it's incredible to experience that in the end it becomes no big deal.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 25,826
It will take time and some creativity, but it is possible to revolutionise your social life away from alcohol.
Hailing from Ireland, that resentment was also there, but as I only drank, hung out with people who drank, and planned my life around drinking occasions, I didn't realise there was anything out there that didn't involve alcohol, why would I, but there is, the whole world doesn't drink, and alcohol doesn't have to be the centre of the social universe!!
Hang in there!!
Hailing from Ireland, that resentment was also there, but as I only drank, hung out with people who drank, and planned my life around drinking occasions, I didn't realise there was anything out there that didn't involve alcohol, why would I, but there is, the whole world doesn't drink, and alcohol doesn't have to be the centre of the social universe!!
Hang in there!!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 6,902
You know, there is a fantastic way that we can still enjoy these events in sobriety... by volunteering . Maybe when they start advertising for the 2018 event (or even now) you could investigate opportunities and set the ball rolling. I did this for a local fireworks event, the Christmas light switch-on, and a Christmas day lunch in 2016 - all events that otherwise would have left me at home consumed in self-pity . And you know, I felt much more part of things and buzzed by those events while I was helping out, being useful, and sober than I ever did when I was lolling about as a drunk bystander. I could never have volunteered when I was still drinking. I'd never have stayed sober and remembered to go! Or I'd have gone along and been a liability. Ive found that Sobriety can actually open up far more doors for me that it closes - if i lean into my fear, choose to take my self-pity in hand, and get on with it. Why not take a look...
Volunteer ? Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Wishing you all the best for your sobriety and recovery. BB
Volunteer ? Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Wishing you all the best for your sobriety and recovery. BB
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