Shayla, thank you for sharing this post. I stopped a couple of days ago. Actually the day before my birthday. And I had anxiety at the restaurant but then I asked for mocktails, pulled my earbuds out and it really helped. I appreciate all of these tips because I am entering a tough social setting soon. Open Bar at a wedding. I asked to be one of the drivers because I will not drink and drive and now I have some other tools from you. The thing I was most concerned about was people asking why I’m not drinking. So I have the DD thing and now I have for health reasons if they keep pushing. Thank you 🙏🏾
I'm so sorry it took me a while to respond. I'm so proud of you for making the best decision for you to quit drinking, one day at a time! Open bar at a wedding can be so tough, but you've already made the right call by taking on the driving responsibility and helping other folks get home safely. I hope my tips continue to help you and please hit me up if you have any other questions!
I don’t drink and people don’t ask me why at my big age. If they ask, you get to decide what you share. And kudos to you for these intentional actions!
I love how confident you are in your resolve to not drink—it’s so inspiring and motivating!
For anyone else reading this who might not feel as certain yet, I just want to share another perspective. Sometimes cultural or family dynamics can make it challenging to say no. In certain situations, like in my experience with a friend’s mom, refusing food or drink can be seen as disrespectful. Even after I said no, she kept offering until my friend had to step in and shut it down because she wasn’t hearing me.
That’s why these tips are so helpful. And if you’re in a space where it feels hard to say no, know that I see you, and you’ll get stronger in your resolve, just like Portia has. Keep going, you got this. As do I ❤️🫂!
Love this!! I like that you offered a ton of alternatives for people to do that worked for you. Thank you for sharing your story!
I don’t drink, but I do love to be outside! I noticed that as I got older no one asks why I don’t drink. I really have no explanation. I didn’t drink in college, and it stuck with me.
Also, I’ve seen the studies about the kids drinking alcohol less and less, and the controversy around the price of mocktails. Those mockatils you shared were cute, so hopefully the prices mellow out so more people can enjoy them.
Shayla, thank you for sharing this post. I stopped a couple of days ago. Actually the day before my birthday. And I had anxiety at the restaurant but then I asked for mocktails, pulled my earbuds out and it really helped. I appreciate all of these tips because I am entering a tough social setting soon. Open Bar at a wedding. I asked to be one of the drivers because I will not drink and drive and now I have some other tools from you. The thing I was most concerned about was people asking why I’m not drinking. So I have the DD thing and now I have for health reasons if they keep pushing. Thank you 🙏🏾
I'm so sorry it took me a while to respond. I'm so proud of you for making the best decision for you to quit drinking, one day at a time! Open bar at a wedding can be so tough, but you've already made the right call by taking on the driving responsibility and helping other folks get home safely. I hope my tips continue to help you and please hit me up if you have any other questions!
I don’t drink and people don’t ask me why at my big age. If they ask, you get to decide what you share. And kudos to you for these intentional actions!
I love how confident you are in your resolve to not drink—it’s so inspiring and motivating!
For anyone else reading this who might not feel as certain yet, I just want to share another perspective. Sometimes cultural or family dynamics can make it challenging to say no. In certain situations, like in my experience with a friend’s mom, refusing food or drink can be seen as disrespectful. Even after I said no, she kept offering until my friend had to step in and shut it down because she wasn’t hearing me.
That’s why these tips are so helpful. And if you’re in a space where it feels hard to say no, know that I see you, and you’ll get stronger in your resolve, just like Portia has. Keep going, you got this. As do I ❤️🫂!
Excellent article. I concur. I have been sober 35 years.
God Bless you
Love this!! I like that you offered a ton of alternatives for people to do that worked for you. Thank you for sharing your story!
I don’t drink, but I do love to be outside! I noticed that as I got older no one asks why I don’t drink. I really have no explanation. I didn’t drink in college, and it stuck with me.
Also, I’ve seen the studies about the kids drinking alcohol less and less, and the controversy around the price of mocktails. Those mockatils you shared were cute, so hopefully the prices mellow out so more people can enjoy them.