Earlier this year, at the end of January surprisingly, I completed my 34th consecutive Dry January, not that it was called that when I started!
To be honest whilst I have not always had the ‘best’ relationship with alcohol I have never had an issue with not drinking, it’s the drinking moderately that has been the issue – I often compare it to a plane on a runway and there being little point in just getting to the end of the runway: you need to take off, fly high, go far!
Case in point I decided that I would extend the Dry January for three months (having given myself upfront a pass for Valentines Day, fathers Birthday and Mothering Sunday), primarily because it was sensible given my attempts to get cricket fit again, but also because on a day to day basis I have little interest in having a drink.
I worked out years ago that a) I like a ‘good drink’ with a handful of people and in certain circumstances – a day at the cricket/rugby, a tapas crawl round Almerimar, a long lunch at home – and b) I drink a lot when forced into a social situation I have little interest in.
As a result, and unlike many, COVID-19 has not seen my alcohol consumption increase, it has in fact reduced considerably. Neither scenario a) or b) above have been options although that is set to change soon.
A mate was telling me that pretty much all the pub beer gardens locally were already fully booked for the 12th April but he could get me into the ‘top one’ if I wanted to go. A very small part of me could see the attraction of a potentially great atmosphere, but I have no desire or intention so I thanked him and declined. Nothing has changed as far as I am concerned in my Pub v NHS who gets my cash decision, although I am pleased that I will be able to stand around post practice at the cricket club(s) and have a drink, although with having to drive and not seeing the point of just one drink ……….
Before that we have the 29th March easing of restrictions allowing two households to meet outdoors, which I assume means in one households garden but here my dilemma is what will anyone talk about? Nobody has done anything, been anywhere. Given the likelihood of it been bloody cold as well I think I will give this one a miss until a) the weather improves and b) we have all had a chance to do something, so somewhere, see something.
COVID-19 enforced a reset in many ways, and I feel so much better and healthier for it so moving forward I fully intend to avoid the social situations which I know will make me want to drink to numb myself, and I will concentrate on a few beers after cricket, a glass or two of wine with a BBQ in the garden over the summer, a cold G&T with friends before lunch at home.