Just a little over a month ago, I turned 21. Unlike many Americans who turn 21, I didn’t go out on a drink run or anything. Instead, I made a nice homemade dinner consisting of Teriyaki and Tempura while hanging out with some friends and played board games. It was nice and relaxing. The main reason being for such a relaxing affair, instead of getting smashed on my 21st like any normal American would, was because I, personally, just don’t drink.
It’s not like I have any problem with drinking -- that’s the biggest misconception that always seems to pop up when I tell someone I don’t drink. So many people tell me that I must think I am superior for not drinking and that I think everyone else are just blasphemous, drunken heathens or something. Which, over and over again, I have to state (and restate) that that is not what I think of people who drink. I understand that people drink for fun, or to help relax to be more sociable, or for many other numerous reasons. And that’s fine; I really don’t care. I don’t mind hanging out with a bunch of friends who are drinking or going out to the bar to hang out, either. This causes many friends to be afraid to invite me to social situations like that because they feel that I would feel out of place, or wouldn't know what to do. Friends need to understand that friends are friends, and if you are my friend, I enjoy hanging out with you. If none of y’all make it awkward, I won’t be awkward.
A lot of people should learn to understand that me not drinking is a personal choice -- a personal choice that was founded through bad experiences of a family member who dealt with alcoholism, which caused them to lose a lot -- in fact, almost everything -- that they cared about. They have recovered now, and yes, they still drink, but now they drink responsibly and have worked hard to put their life back on track.
Another reason is that I have a lot of personal issues of not feeling in control of my own body, and have been hurt by others who were a lot stronger than I was. So the thought of loss of control or having less control of my body is a very terrifying concept to me. That all culminates in me personally not feeling comfortable with getting drunk or drinking in general.
I hope from here on out that more people will understand that I don’t think less of anyone for drinking. I am not a person who judges others, for the most part. My motto in life is 'you can do what you want, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, or try to erase the existence of others because of who they are.'
If I'm being honest, true drinking can be unhealthy, but so is eating desserts. You’re just enjoying your life, and as long you drink responsibly, there isn’t any problem. Just understand and please respect the fact that I don’t drink. I don’t need pressuring, and above all else, I don’t need fixing.
