Hi everyone! I’m totally new to this community and way of life. I’ve never attempted to quit drinking before in my life. My first full week will be Friday. Yay!
That said, I have questions. My biggest fear about quitting drinking is that I’m going to be “no fun”, or the party outcast. I’m also a pretty successful event planner. My job is literally being paid to be the life of the party, and that scares me. I used to joke with friends and clients that, “I’m an event planner, honey. My job is to be a professional functional alcoholic.”
Looking back, I realize that’s not funny, it’s sad.
It also occurred today that if most of the people in your life are telling you you’re an asshole when you drink, you’re already not very fun.
So, my career is in events, alcohol is almost always the biggest aspect of a menu because that’s where we make the most money, and I’ve decided to try to quit the hooch. Super great, I know.
My therapist suggested having a “go to” NA drink. What is your go to drink at parties and events?
Are you an event planner? What are your tips and struggles that you can share?
Welcome Christopher . It’s normal to feel like you’ll be a different person in sobriety, you will be. Your personality isn’t going to die, you’ll still have it. You are not defined by your job.
I drank a bunch of carbonated water, still do. NA beers/ wine can be a very slippery slope so be cautious.
I’m sure others will chime in, best wishes to you. And congratulations on a new journey.
This is so true! Or even making sure every event has more than one choice of nonalcoholic beverage. @GlamGalactic well done for taking this step toward a healthier life. I can pretty much guarantee you will be better at your job, more attentive to the needs of the room/event and more capable of keeping everyone having fun and happy as a sober event planner. Welcome to this community and I hope you’ll consider leaning on us for support along the way.
Until you let yourself be there, you have no idea what a wonderful sense of self you hopefully will have being the one not drinking … and in charge.
No matter how great of an event planner you were as the ‘functional alcoholic’ you will be so much better sober.
Alcohol has too much power in people’s minds.
Yes, I’ve been a major event planner, many times, and can’t imagine having done it any way but sober.
I always liked to meet and greet everyone there, especially the ones I did not know.
So glad I was always able to do that as the real me and not some alcohol filled/ fueled me.
Feel your power in your sobriety. Do not expect it to be any sort of weakness.
The only person who cares what you’re drinking is you. A glass in the hand is not, or at least, should not be requisite.
I heard a woman share the other day that she was a Tour Guide. She also did this job while drinking.
She is now recovered through the 12 steps, been around for a while.
She says she realizes she doesn’t have to be the life of the party anymore and makes things about her clients. She’s really mature and reserved and I bet a fantastic tour guide.
She moved to Maine USA and shows people around her beautiful oceanside town
. It’s normal to feel like you’ll be a different person in sobriety, you will be. Your personality isn’t going to die, you’ll still have it. You are not defined by your job.