Briony ~ 2922 days

“My history with alcohol is very brief, I think I have been drunk once and so therefore had one hangover, but it was enough to very much confirm that drinking is not for me. My true relationship with drinking has always been a polite, but firm, no thank you.

I know I’m not unique in being asked the question, “Why aren’t you drinking?” In social settings, it’s often delivered with curiosity and concern, as if I’m the one who will be missing out by not joining in.

My first answer back is always the most practical one ~ I just don’t like the taste. It’s usually enough to shut down the interrogation. But if I allow myself to dig a little deeper, the real reason is maybe rooted in my personality.

I am a “control freak”. I thrive on planning, organisation and knowing what comes next. I find comfort in structure. This trait which is what makes the feeling of being out of control so unappealing to me.

For some, surrendering control is a release but for me it makes more anxious.

While my choices about alcohol have always been personal, the rise of communities like Arclett has shown me that this intentional approach is powerful when shared.

What I appreciate most now is the shift in focus. When you meet up with a group of friends who share the same mindset, the event itself becomes the priority. We stop defaulting to meeting up for drinks and start intentionally, planning meaningful trips or days out ~ like camping trips, exploring new places or just having a more engaging conversation.

I’ve realised that maintaining my boundaries isn't a restriction. It's a foundation for my social life. If that makes me sober curious, then I'm happy to be thought of that way.”