I have stopped drinking alcohol for a while just for a break. It's been great for a mass of reasons but I'm really struggling now with a few things
-I find most social events really boring (cocktail parties, drinks after work type things). I'm not a shy person and don't find socialising with strangers difficult. It's almost as if with alcohol other people are more interesting or maybe I'm more tolerant. It all seems really dull and I want to leave early to get home.
- in turn this is making me want to avoid social events and also I no longer look forward to them. A friend is having a big 30th birthday next month at a fabulous location. Prior to my dry spell I'd be really looking forward to it. I am going to go but in my head it's about as likely to be as much fun as detention in a library.
- Part of the reason for giving up alcohol for a bit is that I love drinking, really love champagne and cocktails and normally go to many interesting/glamorous social events. Often they are the type of events that "impress" people when I talk about it. I've suddenly realised that this is a bit part of my own self perception of myself - as living a stylish glamorous life with lots of champagne drinking and and interesting social life. I've cut back on the events I go to for the boredom reason above.
The no-drinking has affected my self perception - I now see myself as a bit boring and as if the sheen on my life and the glamorous image has gone. I really don't like myself or my life without this and feel as if its John Major grey when it used to be Joan Collins sparkly.
Has anyone who has given up alcohol got any advice for any aspect of this?
Feel bored, avoiding social events, and now seeing my social life and myself as dull.
The other benefits of not drinking are great so I'd like to keep it up but if this stuff ^ is going to be here forever I'm not sure I can last much longer.