4 ms·

When I was in my 20s, I drank socially from time to time and even occasionally by myself. As I've grown older, I pretty much stopped: - I've found that the pre

When I was in my 20s, I drank socially from time to time and even occasionally by myself. As I've grown older, I pretty much stopped: - I've found that the pressures of "adult" responsibilities (kids, real career, etc) leave little time for it - I want to model good behavior for my kids, and in particular, I don't want my kids to see me drinking or drunk - I'm in the back half of my 30s now - I've realized that the time ahead of me is limited - and I still have a ton of stuff I want to accomplish. Spending that time with dulled senses or on dealing with hangovers just seems wasteful and pointless

roland35 4y ago
All good reasons! As a parent too I also feel like I need to be available and responsible in case of any emergency with my young children. I was never really a big drinker though so it isn't much of a sacrifice.
socraticmethod 4y ago
>Spending that time with dulled senses What exactly is the fear of dulled senses? What are you gaining by being a bit sharper on Friday night that drinkers are losing? Is anything actually lost? I'm genuinely curious because most of the time the dulled senses bit is brought up it seems like there's almost always some kind of guilt on behalf of the speaker that causes them to feel uncomfortable with intoxication in a way that others simply don't experience. I would guess the average casual drinker dismisses the person that is worried about "staying sharp" as being uptight or unnecessarily rigid, because as you said, life is short and who really gives a damn about being 100% cognitive all the time?
- adammarples 4y ago
  As you get older only a couple of drinks will dull your senses most of the next day too, the famous hangover
- peterangular 4y ago
  > What exactly is the fear of dulled senses? What are you gaining by being a bit sharper on Friday night that drinkers are losing? Is anything actually lost? If I drink even a drink or two I can definitely tell a difference in my performance the next day. I'm a bit more lethargic, not necessarily as alert, it's harder to get on the treadmill etc. When I was in my 20's it was honestly the same, but I just had more energy/gumption to work against it. I do drink, but I have to say I've just been getting less and less into it. I gotta admit I still really love expensive beers. > I would guess the average casual drinker dismisses the person that is worried about "staying sharp" as being uptight or unnecessarily rigid, because as you said, life is short and who really gives a damn about being 100% cognitive all the time? Dealt with this too - I really don't care about my public image. Anymore, I almost outright refuse to drink at work events... and if the social pressure gets too crappy I just go get some random drink and nurse it at half way for hours. This the only place I've been pressured or discretely judged for not drinking. The only reason I lie by nursing a single drink is because people will assume the worst - that I am/was an alcoholic (this has happened). I'm just not here to impress, and anyone passing judgement about someone else's lack of alcohol consumption is a loser. Seriously. One more thought - when it comes to being "100%" - yeah... I find myself wanting to be at my best more and more. I think it's just maturing a bit and realizing time is waning. Even the stuff I do to relax I've noticed is more enhanced by sobriety vs. with alcohol.
  - socraticmethod 4y ago
    >I'm just not here to impress, and anyone passing judgement about someone else's lack of alcohol consumption is a loser. Seriously. That entirely depends on the reasoning behind abstinence. Bad reasons or bad faith arguments are open to criticism. Either way, fair points, particularly when various substances can have drastically different effects from person to person.
karmakurtisaani 4y ago
Very reasonable, made me consider my takes on your points: - For me, adult responsibilities are mostly fine with a drink or two in the evening, but become orders of magnitude more difficult the next day. Being close to 40, the burden that a hangover puts on my mental capacity is just too much. - I actually don't mind my kids seeing me drink a bit and being slightly tipsy. I kind of want them not to think of alcohol as anything forbidden or secret, just something that you do a bit sometimes to enjoy food and company. Looking forward to having a few with them when they reach the proper age! - Fully agree on the last point. I hate having a hangover when my wife takes the kids out and I'd have a good few hours of getting something meaningful done ... only to lose the opportunity because I can't think straight. When I was younger, I pretty much wanted to just get drunk despite the taste of the beer I was drinking. Nowdays I wish I could get the taste without the effect..

roland35 4y ago

All good reasons! As a parent too I also feel like I need to be available and responsible in case of any emergency with my young children. I was never really a big drinker though so it isn't much of a sacrifice.

socraticmethod 4y ago

>Spending that time with dulled senses What exactly is the fear of dulled senses? What are you gaining by being a bit sharper on Friday night that drinkers are losing? Is anything actually lost? I'm genuinely curious because most of the time the dulled senses bit is brought up it seems like there's almost always some kind of guilt on behalf of the speaker that causes them to feel uncomfortable with intoxication in a way that others simply don't experience. I would guess the average casual drinker dismisses the person that is worried about "staying sharp" as being uptight or unnecessarily rigid, because as you said, life is short and who really gives a damn about being 100% cognitive all the time?

adammarples 4y ago
As you get older only a couple of drinks will dull your senses most of the next day too, the famous hangover
peterangular 4y ago
> What exactly is the fear of dulled senses? What are you gaining by being a bit sharper on Friday night that drinkers are losing? Is anything actually lost? If I drink even a drink or two I can definitely tell a difference in my performance the next day. I'm a bit more lethargic, not necessarily as alert, it's harder to get on the treadmill etc. When I was in my 20's it was honestly the same, but I just had more energy/gumption to work against it. I do drink, but I have to say I've just been getting less and less into it. I gotta admit I still really love expensive beers. > I would guess the average casual drinker dismisses the person that is worried about "staying sharp" as being uptight or unnecessarily rigid, because as you said, life is short and who really gives a damn about being 100% cognitive all the time? Dealt with this too - I really don't care about my public image. Anymore, I almost outright refuse to drink at work events... and if the social pressure gets too crappy I just go get some random drink and nurse it at half way for hours. This the only place I've been pressured or discretely judged for not drinking. The only reason I lie by nursing a single drink is because people will assume the worst - that I am/was an alcoholic (this has happened). I'm just not here to impress, and anyone passing judgement about someone else's lack of alcohol consumption is a loser. Seriously. One more thought - when it comes to being "100%" - yeah... I find myself wanting to be at my best more and more. I think it's just maturing a bit and realizing time is waning. Even the stuff I do to relax I've noticed is more enhanced by sobriety vs. with alcohol.
- socraticmethod 4y ago
  >I'm just not here to impress, and anyone passing judgement about someone else's lack of alcohol consumption is a loser. Seriously. That entirely depends on the reasoning behind abstinence. Bad reasons or bad faith arguments are open to criticism. Either way, fair points, particularly when various substances can have drastically different effects from person to person.

karmakurtisaani 4y ago

Very reasonable, made me consider my takes on your points: - For me, adult responsibilities are mostly fine with a drink or two in the evening, but become orders of magnitude more difficult the next day. Being close to 40, the burden that a hangover puts on my mental capacity is just too much. - I actually don't mind my kids seeing me drink a bit and being slightly tipsy. I kind of want them not to think of alcohol as anything forbidden or secret, just something that you do a bit sometimes to enjoy food and company. Looking forward to having a few with them when they reach the proper age! - Fully agree on the last point. I hate having a hangover when my wife takes the kids out and I'd have a good few hours of getting something meaningful done ... only to lose the opportunity because I can't think straight. When I was younger, I pretty much wanted to just get drunk despite the taste of the beer I was drinking. Nowdays I wish I could get the taste without the effect..