Should I go on this social event?

[froggygroggy]

I have committed to a social event in a couple of weeks.

The reasons I don't want to go are
Feel unsociable - Just feel like I don't want to go out
Money - can afford it but at a stretch
Diet - I am trying to diet and the event involves food that will not be within my calories
Dry Jan - Not drinking which I usually would so may be easier to not go

The reasons I do want to go are
Commitment - I've said yes and don't like to go back on it
Social - Worried that if I don't go I'll stop getting invited
Social - Although I say I feel like I don't want to go, I could end up having a good time and it may be good for me in that sense
Dry Jan - Feeling empowered going and not drinking

Can anyone relate to these conflicting feelings of do I or don't I go on certain social events?

Based on the above, what do you think I should do? (I feel like you're all going to say to go, but I'll ask anyway for varied perspectives.)

I would just go since you've agreed. Like you say if you back out of social events you may stop getting invites. There's no point of some kind of unsustainable diet where you can't socialise. Whatever you eat in one evening is hardly going to have a huge impact on you one way or another. Unless your financial situation has changed so much I would just tighten your belt a bit in other areas.

I'm also less keen to socialise after having just done Christmas but it's one event and might do you good.

If staying dry for a month is a big deal, then that's a bigger issue IMO

Thanks this is helpful.

Thanks this is helpful

I'm going to go. I expect I'll think I'll stay for an hour, end up staying for two and overall be glad I went.

Not sure if it is age but I just feel much less inclined to go out these days. But then I read about loneliness and no friends on here and think that it's important to keep the connections going.

That'd be great if you'd decided before saying yes.

Of course, we don't know the nature fo the event. Maybe the host won't give a shit.

Why don't you just tell people you are doing Dry January? I do, if anyone ever asks (rarely).

You should have a salad before you go so you don't eat too much, plan what you are going to drink - and drive to ensure you stick to it and go - losing friends and being flakey is not worth a few hours of your time.

I am not sure I agree at all. Many people like to drink at social occasions, it can be seen as part of the fun, and especially girls nights tend to come with cocktails and expectations of a boozy night.
It doesn't mean someone has a 'drink problem' of any kind if they know this is the case, they are simply acknowledging the reality.
It is easy to drink hot chocolate every night when you are at home and have nowhere to be, less so on a big night out of any kind.