The 30 Day Challenge - Thoughts After 24 Days

Wow.  It's hard to believe I've gone 24 straight days without one drop of alcohol.  I've stayed true the entire time, never once sneaking a drink while alone at home or on the road.  It's not like there hasn't been any temptation.  Sitting on the couch with Dad watching TV one late Saturday afternoon as he sipped a bourbon was tough but I managed.  Being out in social situations where other people were drinking was tough but I held a firm grip on my iced tea or club soda or that first O'Doul's.  Congratulating my cousin and his wife on having their first child and not being able to sip a celebratory bourbon with him while having a cigar was downright torture.  But I stuck to the plan.  Here are some observations since my last update:

• While I appreciate the concern when friends feel bad when they drink around me, it gets a tad annoying.  I'm undergoing this challenge for me, not you, so do whatever you want.  If I didn't think I could handle it I wouldn't go out in the first place.
• I've noticed I'm a little more short with people.  I'm not sure if that's the absence of alcohol or just me or maybe both.  I think when I have a drink I'm a little more relaxed and subdued and little annoying things that people say or do are easier to ignore.
• I had a great night out with friends in West Palm Beach, doing dinner and then catching some live music at a bar.  Live music definitely helps one forget about not drinking alcohol and this band was great.
• Lots of people are impressed that I've made it this far and I've really appreciated their support and positive comments.
• The #1 most annoying question that I've really had enough of hearing: "So, you're gonna get wasted the day you're able to drink again, right?"  No, I'm not.
• Not drinking has been pretty depressing at times.  Not because I miss the alcohol, or the buzz, or the flavor but because of the social impacts.  Sitting at a bar drinking a bourbon is something that I really enjoy.  Sitting at the bar drinking iced tea or club soda just isn't the same.  I find I'm asking myself, "What the hell am I doing here?  I could be doing this at home."  I feel like I don't belong there and then I go home.  Maybe all that sounds silly to people and I can understand that I guess.  It probably is silly.  At the same time, it's a hobby, a pastime, an interest that I'm denying myself of for really no reason at all besides mere curiosity.  That sucks.

I will give full disclosure on one final item of importance.  I will be ending my challenge, or at least taking a timeout from it for one day, on Saturday.  That will be day 28.  Why end it early?  My cousin is having a formal get together for his newborn baby girl to hang with the guys and there will be a bourbon tasting.  I don't get to see my cousin often and I passed on toasting his new child my last visit so I will be participating on Saturday.  After 28 days at that point, another 2 days ain't really gonna make a whole helluvalotta difference anyways.  That's not to say that I will have a drink on Sunday or Monday.  Maybe I won't?  That's something I'll be discussing in the next post at the conclusion of this journey.  Until then, the no-alcohol beat goes on...