How My Relationship with Alcohol Has Changed in My 30's
I'm not someone who has ever made a conscious effort to avoid drinking alcohol. I've been drinking normally throughout my twenties and at university, probably no more or less than any other student or twenty-something that's come before me.
But my body and metabolism was different then, and so were my personal circumstances. Now I'm in my 30's, there's far more to think about when it comes to alcohol consumption, including the amount, what I drink, when I drink it and how often.
It sounds silly, but my relationship with alcohol has changed, and it's not necessarily a conscious shift in behaviour, either. Here's how my relationship with alcohol has changed in my 30's.
It's no longer about getting drunk
You know what it's like. When you're young and care-free, living it up at uni, it seems like the only way to have fun on a night out is to get drunk. That's not the case any more. Even if we attend weddings, I won't drink alcohol and get drunk for the sake of it. It's not enjoyable anymore. I'd much prefer a drink at a bar and then home and in bed for 11pm.
I'll only drink in social settings
I've never been someone who drinks alone. But if we're at home, just myself and Tom, I won't go to open a bottle of wine. Tom doesn't drink wine, so it's not something we can share, either. I'll either wait for friends or family to come to ours or I'll bring a bottle with me to a dinner party or a BBQ in the summer.
I don't drink during the week
Weekday drinking has never really been my bag, but it's so easy to crack open a bottle of wine on Thursday night to signal "the start of the weekend". It can also be a crutch for people who have had a bad day at work.
I don't see alcohol like that any more. I'll wait to the weekend, to drink with other people in a social gathering, and not outside of that. Even if we've gone out for dinner on a weekday, I won't have any alcohol.
Hangovers are easier to get & harder to get over
I've found that, with age, even two or three glasses of wine can cause me to have headache the next morning. Not only that, but it takes all day to dissipate. Alcohol consumption is just not worth it anymore, especially as an adult who runs their own home and works full time. I have things to do at the weekend, so I need to be on top form. That involves knowing when to stop and staying hydrated before going out to a bar or hosting a dinner party.
I need to plan ahead
If I know that I'll be drinking alcohol later that night or the next day, then I'll make an effort to stay hydrated. I find that the less fluid I take on beforehand, the more likely it is that I'll have a hangover the next day, even if it's a couple of glasses of red. I need to prepare beforehand, which might sound pathetic to a 20 year old, but it's so true, haha.
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I hope you enjoyed this blog post? Let me know in the comments below whether you can relate with me and I'll see you all again soon with some brand new content!
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