Today, this very day, ten years ago, I stopped drinking. Yes, that’s right, for TEN YEARS I’ve been making first dates feel awkward by ordering club soda. This morning I was thinking that I should probably have reached some sort of grand understanding after ten years of a life unfogged. I'm not sure. But there are some things I wish I'd known 10 years ago:
1. It is possible—with enough Camel Lights, chocolate cake, and strength of will—to have a sober hangover.
2. Almost every problem gets better when you learn you're not the only one.
3. Who you're with matters a great deal when you're really there.
4. The only people who say coffee is a drug never did a drug.
5. You get to do things for the first time. Again.
6. You can drunk dance without a drop of alcohol. And drunk dial. And drunk text. Even beer goggles are within your reach if you believe in yourself.
7. You might miss not having alcohol to blame for your bad decisions.
8. One day you’ll be so happy that the pain you feel today will seem impossible.
9. Life is enough. You don't think it is, but it is. Let me explain. There are a lot of things that alcohol is good for. Some of the best friendships in my life might never have started if we, instead, went out for tea together. “Jungle Juice” is at least partially responsible for most of the fun we had in 2003. And if it weren’t for fake courage from bottom-shelf vodka, you might still be dating girls. Alcohol gives a lot. But it also takes. And for some of us, the balance gets out of whack. And you’re trapped. With something in your life that you cannot control that is taking your life in directions you’d rather not go. If you can quiet your mind for just long enough, if you can stop looking for reasons and workarounds and explanations and justifications and just shut up for a second, something crystallizes. Life teaches you how to live it. You don’t need what you thought you needed. You want fun? Have it. You want courage? Fake it. You want love? Give it. You want adventure? Take it. Life is enough.
10. And so are you.