SUNDAY 5TH MARCH 2023
Last night my kids were on a sleepover and my husband asked me to choose what he should cook us for dinner – steak with homemade chips or a Philly cheesesteak. At first I couldn’t decide….. till I thought about what we’d be drinking. I knew that if I were to have a fillet steak with a knife and fork I would feel hard done by, not joining him in a glass of red wine. Philly cheesesteak, on the other hand, doesn’t cry out for it. The choice was suddenly easy and I enjoyed a 0% beer with my cheesesteak. Part of me is looking forward to enjoying a nice glass of red wine with a steak later this year, another part of me is disappointed that after all this time, alcohol is still dictating to me.
MY WHY
Yep, while there’s a ban on alcohol, there’s a bit of FOMO, I can’t deny it. So, what am I missing out on, aside from the pleasure of a glass of red wine with my steak? The celebratory champagne I keep banging on about, of course. The anticipation of a fun day / evening that will involve alcohol, I suppose. What else? Hangovers? No, I definitely don’t miss hangovers of any sort – now my favourite excuse for lounging on the sofa of a Sunday afternoon is that I’m knackered after a 10k. The “who’s turn is it to drive” debate because nobody really wants to drive but taxis are expensive? No. Broken sleep, coming to and the 3 am wake up? Nope, definitely don’t miss any of that. My sleep is still broken, disappointingly, but I guess I’m just that age…… Increased anxiety? Well, who needs that?! Irritability? There are enough things in my life that make me irritable without adding alcohol into the mix. Brain fog? I’ve got way too much to do for that. Seeing that horrible greyish purple colour on my teeth when I go to the bathroom? Eek, no! Spending my hard-earned cash in the alcohol aisle? I’ve got better things to spend it on. Drinking hundreds of empty calories? Hell no – weight control is hard enough as it is without that……and the inevitable carb fest that follows the day after. Losing my inhibitions? I’ll keep them, thanks. Fear and self-loathing in Las Vegas, or right here in my own home? No! Guilt, shame, regret? No need to answer. OMG, I think my FOJI (fear of joining in!) is now bigger than my FOMO!
Theme Tune: Hole In The Head by Sugababes