Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think alcohol becomes less fun the older you get?

97 replies

margotpotter · 27/02/2022 09:32

Granted I'm not old, I'm 30 but I've noticed, especially within the past year that drinking (getting drunk) is just not much fun for me anymore.

Last night I was at my friends and they were still up drinking at 3 am, all I could think about was how boring it was listening to their drunk chat and about getting home to my bed.

This seems to be recurring, whether I drink in the house, whether I go out, whether I go to someone's house, I feel like the nights are all very samey and am starting to feel just over it.

I've woken up this morning feeling utterly done in, sent some embarrassing messages last night, feel down in the dumps and really think my relationship with alcohol (which has NEVER been a healthy one) is coming to an end.

I've wanted to quit before but loved it too much to stop, difference being now, I'm not even enjoying it anymore.

Anyone else? Is this just an age thing?

OP posts:
Branleuse · 27/02/2022 09:37

Yeah its been shit for years. I still like having one or two drinks on an evening out to loosen up the mood, but anymore than that and it makes me feel ill for days

Redlorryyellowduck · 27/02/2022 09:41

I find drinking and being around drunk people boring. I'm happy to chat to anyone without a drink in me, and I don't feel the need to get pissed just to fit in.
The hangovers are killers, what's the point?

WTF475878237NC · 27/02/2022 09:42

I don't think it's an age thing for everyone. I felt that way all my life!

Abhannmor · 27/02/2022 09:43

The hangovers do get worse. It's very important to eat properly before having a drink. Thats the beauty of pubs too ; more expensive but more control over consumption. Plus its neutral territory , if you aren't enjoying it you can make your excuses and leave.

OneTC · 27/02/2022 09:48

Was teetotal for nearly 20 years. Took drinking up again in my 40s because being sober all the time is fucking boring

Can't do it like I used to though

Sarahcoggles · 27/02/2022 09:48

I agree. I stopped enjoying getting drunk in my mid 30s when the hangovers seemed to get worse. Also in my 20s it was funny to laugh about the silly things we’d done the night before, but that amusement became embarrassment. I discovered it was so much nicer to drink less and then wake up the next day, knowing that I hadn’t done anything remotely embarrassing.
I’m in my 50s now and I don’t drink at all. One drink gives me a hangover.

VladmirsPoutine · 27/02/2022 09:52

I agree. For me the hangovers have become so much worse and can last for a couple of days so it's not worth it anymore.

Iseeyoulookingatme · 27/02/2022 10:00

I used to love drinking but as you get older it does start to become boring. I much prefer going for a meal and having a couple of drinks then home for bed by a reasonable time. Or going to the pub for a few and then takeaway on the way home. I haven't been for a big night out since before covid and I do miss the nights out dancing but I was starting to notice I wasn't enjoying this as much before covid so I haven't bothered with these. I'm late 30s. Also I very rarely drink at home now as I'm on my own.

Campervan69 · 27/02/2022 10:04

That's why I decided to have kids, the party lifestyle was beginning to pall in my early 30s. Now I'm early 50s and still like nights out and dancing but they are much more spaced out. I don't get bad hangovers luckily, maybe because I don't do it so often.

RestingStitchFace · 27/02/2022 10:13

Hangovers are just intolerable these days - they are triggered by 1-2 drinks and can last for days. I barely drink anymore - had precisely 2 alcoholic since Christmas Day. And certain alcohol groups - wine, cider etc are now completely vetoed because they make me so unwell.

Sipsmith now do a very palatable alcohol-free gin and tonic which has been a game changer for me when I go to the pub.

DorothyZbornakIsAQueen · 27/02/2022 10:19

I don't think it's an age thing. I still enjoy going out and having a few drinks.

Difference being, I hardly ever go out. It's a rare occurance and we don't go nightclubs or anything like that. Just have food and a few drinks, but we do stay out late drinking.

Or we will go to a friends house, listen to music, and have a boozy evening.

Luckily I don't suffer with hangovers and it doesn't stop me from doing anything the next day.

BirdOnTheWire · 27/02/2022 10:20

I'm in my 60s now and 2 drinks is my absolute maximum.
I used to enjoy a drink but found my tolerance got lower and the hangovers got worse as I reached about 40.
I do occasionally miss the fun side of having a bit too much but never the late nights.

MrsWooster · 27/02/2022 10:24

I hit the same point at just after 40 (I’m a late developer) when, like you, I thought “I’ve had this same evening too many times” and just stopped doing it. I will still have a glass or two but there’s no fun in being silly drunk.
I wish someone would tell DP…

TomAllenWife · 27/02/2022 10:26

I have ruined my whole weekend because I drank too much on Friday
Only got up for 4 hours yesterday
Fucking waste of a weekend

Itwasntmeright · 27/02/2022 10:31

I’m 40, and just lately alcohol has become really boring, to the point where I just can’t be bothered. I used to love a drink but I’ve gone right off it. I actually drink shandy if I go out now.

AnyFucker · 27/02/2022 10:32

As they say when the fun stops, stop

I still like a nice red wine (probably too much over the course of a week, to be honest) but I hate long, boozy, sit in the pub talking shit, days and nights

I would rather go home to a cozy glass of red, Netflix and an early night

ditalini · 27/02/2022 10:35

I always had very, very bad hangovers (but also a tendency to binge so caused by a LOT of alcohol).

Now the hangovers are bad on far less alcohol so I rarely drink. Upside is that I get that feeling of cheerful wellbeing from one drink so I don't feel deprived stopping at that.

I find that alcohol really affects my sleep which is almost worse than the sore head and queasy stomach. It's definitely come with age for me.

cameocat · 27/02/2022 10:36

Well I'm a bit ahead of you in years but I gave up drinking last year and haven't really taken it back up bit I don't mind my drunk friends! I did drink the other day (two glasses of wine out to dinner) and it was lovely. My friends drank way more but I was happy with just that. I'm not sure I want a bender again.

VladmirsPoutine · 27/02/2022 10:40

I found I actually really enjoy waking up clear headed and fresh on Sundays and not a quivering nervous wreck. Cutting down and only drinking at meals/dinners out has done wonders for my health and wellbeing.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 27/02/2022 10:41

try being menopausal and asthmatic!

MrsLargeEmbodied · 27/02/2022 10:42

i dont like lunchtime eating, let alone drinking
it just exhausts me
i only drink with a meal now, or after, and not before

stripeyflowers · 27/02/2022 10:42

Mid-fifties. Never drank much but now can drink very little. Considering even giving that up. The elevated heart rate if I exceed my already small allowance isn't worth it.

Original poster
margotpotter · 27/02/2022 10:47

@stripeyflowers

Mid-fifties. Never drank much but now can drink very little. Considering even giving that up. The elevated heart rate if I exceed my already small allowance isn't worth it.
I was getting an elevated heart rate last night. I had to go and splash cold water on my face and run my hands under tap to try calm down, felt on the verge of a panic, my pulse was 100 at rest. Usually between 55-62. Never put it down to the alcohol, interesting.
OP posts:
Titsywoo · 27/02/2022 10:54

Yes I'm 43 now and have pretty much entirely lost interest in drinking. I never drink at home, stick to no more than 4 units if I go out for dinner with friends as I know I will start to feel crap the next day if I have more than that. Since all my friends turned 40 and the pandemic hit the big nights out are very rare and I can't say I'm sad about it. I find other things interesting now. Part of getting older I guess. I have a couple of friends who are still into drinking a lot but they are the exception now.

Cookiecrumble22 · 27/02/2022 10:57

I went through a phase of drinking when I was younger from around 17-19 not constant though. Got drunk several times when I lived above a wine bar and used to have lock ins the regulars also had tabs. I remember when the wine bar was taken over by someone new she still allowed tabs but the younger one were only allowed upto 20.00 then the older people she let them do what they wanted within reason I would guess.

But yes it did become boring in the end. I stopped drinking altogether when I got pregnant with dd at 19. I'm mid 40s now and don't drink at all. Apart from i had half pint of fosters in 2005 at my dads wake.