Your writing is stunning. Exactly, alcohol isn't a great medicine to relieve stress. I've seen my friends drinking for no reason. They see it as a status symbol. Sophie, I'm turning 19 in the next 2 months. What specific advice would you give me?
Thank you so much Shaikh! I totally understand especially when you are early to having access to alcohol and it can make you feel 'cooler' to drink but you don't even enjoy it... First of all, happy birthday in the next 2 months! I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating! Secondly, I would say don't apologise if you are choosing not to drink and your friends aren't. I would imagine your friends won't really care and will want to just spend time with you. The ones who disrespect your decision and try to get you to drink anyways are the ones you may want to create a bit of space from. If I could go back to myself at 19 and say you don't need to drink to bond or make friends I think that would've been nice to hear, but I think the appeal of alcohol and how on the surface it looked so fun was too strong. You have to live your life for you and not to please others, being the drinking buddy doesn't mean friendship - something I wish I had recognised sooner.
"It will hurt so much more before it gets better". So truee 🥲
Thanks for reading Rego! yes such a sad truth but we get through it and to the brighter, happier side!
Thank you for sharing! Amazing words. I can relate.
Thank you so much for reading Caitlyn! that's really kind of you
Your writing is stunning. Exactly, alcohol isn't a great medicine to relieve stress. I've seen my friends drinking for no reason. They see it as a status symbol. Sophie, I'm turning 19 in the next 2 months. What specific advice would you give me?
Thank you so much Shaikh! I totally understand especially when you are early to having access to alcohol and it can make you feel 'cooler' to drink but you don't even enjoy it... First of all, happy birthday in the next 2 months! I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating! Secondly, I would say don't apologise if you are choosing not to drink and your friends aren't. I would imagine your friends won't really care and will want to just spend time with you. The ones who disrespect your decision and try to get you to drink anyways are the ones you may want to create a bit of space from. If I could go back to myself at 19 and say you don't need to drink to bond or make friends I think that would've been nice to hear, but I think the appeal of alcohol and how on the surface it looked so fun was too strong. You have to live your life for you and not to please others, being the drinking buddy doesn't mean friendship - something I wish I had recognised sooner.