2014 Challenge

HappyCamper44

Hi Guys

My first post (long time lurker...!)

It's a bit of a weird one and not really money saving (although it has been), but I wanted some advice. I gave up alcohol last year because I was spending loads of money going out and basically having a fun time, but money got tight and expensive nights had to go. I decided to stop drinking last December, right in the middle of party season and then when it got to New Year I thought I'd just keep it up and try and be totally alcohol free for the whole of 2014.

I have to admit, this has had many benefits! I have saved loads of money and have lost lots of weight (although have now had to buy new clothes, but hey!). However... I am now a bit bored of it - I know that is a dreadful admission, but I really, really want to drink again. But I've almost done it - I've almost had a whole dry year which I guess is quite an achievement.

The downside of not drinking, has been the social side. It took me a long time to enjoy going out with my friends and not drinking and to be completely honest, I still don't like it. I don't feel like me, I feel boring and I'm sure my friends think I'm boring too.

I have now been told I'm going on a work trip to the Caribbean and staying in an all inclusive hotel. It seems stupid not to drink when I can get everything for free - but then, who gives up a New Year's Resolution in November - that's like giving up a marathon at mile 25. It's a stupid quandry I know, and not at all moneysaving, but what would you do. Life is too short and all that - so should I just go on this fabulous trip and enjoy it and screw the New Year's Resolution, or should I hold my resolve and get myself to the end of this year and give myself a pat on the back for this torturous chore.

Thanks muchly!

HC

hgotsparkle

I've never really been a drinker, I'll have the odd one but I don't like being drunk and I just don't see the fun in it. Friends do tend to say "lets get a bottle!" when I'll only have 1 glass that I'll nurse for a few hours.

Could you not get in the frame of mind that you can drink, but not get drunk?

See your year through - thats an achievement.

fairy_lights

There's no point being too hard on yourself. You've made it to November without drinking so I think you're proved to yourself that you can do it. You're not planning on being tee-total for the rest of your life so I don't see what difference giving up a few weeks early will make.
You're tolerance to alcohol will probably be a lot lower now though so you won't need to drink as much to feel the effects, so be careful not to overdo it.

tea_lover

HappyCamper44 wrote: »

The downside of not drinking, has been the social side. It took me a long time to enjoy going out with my friends and not drinking and to be completely honest, I still don't like it. I don't feel like me, I feel boring and I'm sure my friends think I'm boring too.

Get new friends? Far more to life than being a drunken bore.

roobee13

I think it depends how YOU will feel about it

I would weigh up the pros and cons of each and see which side you're leaning to. I would also think about if I'd feel gutted about not completing the whole year, or not that bothered. That would infulence my decision!

HappyCamper44

Thanks all. I must admit, I'm torn (and I do feel embarrassed being torn over alcohol!) - the idea of sticking to coconut water while my colleagues and friends are sipping their rum cocktails irritates me thinking they'll have a better time than me. But then, I try to remember that I have managed this whole year and have still managed to have fun.

Have also seen on the hotel website that they are really big on health and happiness offering lots of classes and beach related sessions, so maybe I should just think of the holiday as a "well-being" holiday and get over it.

Not making the whole year would annoy me - especially as I know I can do it, but it's just whether it would annoy me more than not drinking for 11 days. Actually, that makes me sound like I have an alcohol problem, and I really don't. I think, I'll just not drink and do the year - I'm not going to do it again, and if I fail now I think I'll just forever kick myself.

Sorry for the mumbling... just working through my thoughts! What I should be focusing on is that I'll be in the beautiful Caribbean in 3 weeks and this will be an amazing break.

Thanks again for all your thoughts!!

HC

hgotsparkle

HappyCamper44 wrote: »

Thanks all. I must admit, I'm torn (and I do feel embarrassed being torn over alcohol!) - the idea of sticking to coconut water while my colleagues and friends are sipping their rum cocktails irritates me thinking they'll have a better time than me. But then, I try to remember that I have managed this whole year and have still managed to have fun.

Have also seen on the hotel website that they are really big on health and happiness offering lots of classes and beach related sessions, so maybe I should just think of the holiday as a "well-being" holiday and get over it.

Not making the whole year would annoy me - especially as I know I can do it, but it's just whether it would annoy me more than not drinking for 11 days. Actually, that makes me sound like I have an alcohol problem, and I really don't. I think, I'll just not drink and do the year - I'm not going to do it again, and if I fail now I think I'll just forever kick myself.

Sorry for the mumbling... just working through my thoughts! What I should be focusing on is that I'll be in the beautiful Caribbean in 3 weeks and this will be an amazing break.

Thanks again for all your thoughts!!

HC

Whilst your colleague are having their cocktails, think about how you are being so much healthier by sticking to the non-alcoholic drinks, how you won't bloat in swimwear and you won't feel terrible in the mornings and be able to enjoy the sunrise!

babymoo

I'm not a big drinker at all, hate going to pubs etc. I will have a glass of wine with a meal or if I'm at a party I'll have a drink. I can take it or leave it. If I was going away I would have a few drinks, why not.

Don't let the decision ruin your trip. It's not the end of the world if you have a drink .. however make the choice for you not because of how you think other people view you. Quite probably your the only one thinking that anyway and if your not who cares?!

millysg1

HappyCamper44 wrote: »

Thanks all. I must admit, I'm torn (and I do feel embarrassed being torn over alcohol!) - the idea of sticking to coconut water while my colleagues and friends are sipping their rum cocktails irritates me thinking they'll have a better time than me. But then, I try to remember that I have managed this whole year and have still managed to have fun.

I would tell myself I will be T total for first half or first week of holiday and strictly follow that. Then I would reassess for the second half and think about how much difference it will make if you drank for the second half.

I think leaving the option over will take the dread away a bit but once you've kept it up for the first half, might realize that drinking wont change anything. Or maybe it will! But I don't think you'll really know until your there and trying.

a_fresh_start

first of well done for being so self disciplined. I wish I had your will power! I would try to balance it the situation -

you say you gave up drinking in December last year - so in my mind, you started your challenge early. If you started mid December, you have technically banked more than 11 days, so have a few cocktails, enjoy the holiday and atmosphere, without the guilt trip.

Its unlikely you will go all out drunk, as your year off will have a new appreciation for a good time and enjoy a cocktail as a treat, rather than getting 'wasted'.

only you can decide how much you would regret stopping your challenge early, but you have more than proven that you can do it, and have succeeded in the initial goal of saving money. Life is for living, you can either get enjoyment for seeing a self imposed challenge through, or you can have a few nights of enjoying yourself with colleagues. I think moderation is key.

Can you not either extend the deadline to account for this unforeseen opportunity, or used the time you've already got under your belt to allow for a few drinks while on hols?

trolleyrun

Whichever decision you make, just be aware that drinks in the Caribbean can be very strong and are usually at least double the UK measure.