I choose not to drink because I want to take in the world consciously, fully, and uninhibited. I want to remember every moment that I can. I don’t want my perceptions to be clouded. I want to see everything around me with absolute clarity.

I choose not to drink because I want to have deep conversations, not be five beers deep. I want to go on adventures, not go to a party. I want to stay up late talking with friends about our dreams, our beliefs, and our ideas. I want to remember every word they say.

I choose not to drink because I’d rather focus on more important things. I’d rather focus on expanding my knowledge, engaging in worthwhile discussions, and spending quality time with family and friends. I’d rather spend my money on other things. I’d rather get my calorie intake other ways.

I choose not to drink because I’ve seen how alcohol can damage someone. I’ve seen alcohol tear someone apart, take over someone’s life, ruin someone’s future. I’ve seen how brutal alcohol can be. I’ve seen how merciless alcohol can be. I’ve seen how unfair alcohol can be. I’ve seen how selfish alcohol can make someone. I’ve seen how addicted alcohol can make someone.

I choose not to drink because I know the facts. I know that 1 in 4 college students report that drinking causes them to miss class, fall behind, and/or receive lower grades. I know that 1,825 college students die from alcohol-related injuries. I know that 39% of college students engage in binge drinking, and 12.7% of college students engage in heavy drinking. I don’t want to know if I could be part of those statistics.

I choose not to drink because I want to be in control. I want to know exactly what I’m saying. I want to know exactly what I’m doing. I don’t want to lose my grip on reality. I don’t want to regret something I say or do because I wasn’t in control.

I choose not to drink because I want others to know that not drinking is okay. I want to show people that you can live a good life without the influence of alcohol. I want to be a friend that people don’t feel pressured by. I want to be a role model for my nephew.

I choose not to drink because I want to stay healthy. I don’t want to be part of the 2.5 million years of potential life lost to excessive drinking. I don’t want to have an increased risk for conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, certain cancers, and others. I don’t want to possibly shorten my time alive. I want to have a good quality of life. I want to be around as long as I can; not only for me, but for the people I love.

I choose not to drink because I don’t want to harm those around me. I don’t want to put any burden on them. I don’t want to make them feel responsible for me. I don’t want to be dependent on others. I don’t want others to feel pressured to drink when they’re around me. I don’t want to possibly hurt my relationships with others.

I choose not to drink because I’m still growing and changing. I don’t want my brain’s development to be affected by drinking. I don’t want to break the law; it’s there for a reason. I don’t want my younger years to be defined by my drinking habits.

I choose not to drink because I have the power to say no. I have the power to turn away drinks. I have the power to stay out of situations where drinking is involved. I have the power to choose friends who don’t drink. I have the power to choose, and choose I will.