So, I've been lying in bed for at least ten minutes now, just TRYING to fall asleep. I am tired, but, of course, my brain won't shut up. Usually, I'm able to ignore most things, but there are just too many things going on in that small area. A few of the things, I can't write about. They're too personal and more about annoying emotions, and I don't even like talking about them. This one thing, though... it just has me really, really frustrated. Which, I guess, could go under an "annoying" emotion, but it's easier to avoid*.
See, today, I had a really good friend try to convince me that I should give drinking (yes, alcohol) a shot. Yes. I am twenty and have not had any alcohol. It's not because I haven't been given the chance, nor do I find it to be wrong morally speaking, but it's just something I have considered wrong for me. This friend, however, has been working on trying to get me to try it for the past year. And, so, of course, I vented a little to another friend, who also tried to convince me to try it.
Because I am so, incredibly sick of having to always explain all of these reasons multiple times to people, I decided I should just blog it.** If they feel the need to try to talk me into it, I can just link this to them. It'll save everyone some time. Mostly my time, though.
Okay. Here we go.
Reasons I Do Not Drink:
1. It is still, technically, illegal for me to do so. Do I agree with this law? No, not really. I do think the drinking age should be lower. But, it's not. Even though I don't agree with the law, I'm not going to risk getting caught and in trouble for a couple hours of what some claim to be "fun."
2. I just don't feel like it? I know. Sounds obvious. But people Just. Don't. Get. It. This tends to be one of the first reasons I give for not drinking, and they're always in shock or something. I don't know. I don't get their reactions, but that's how it is. The way I see it, if you don't want to do something, and it's not essential to your current well-being or future, then why do it? I don't like going to school, but I go, because I am almost required to have a college education to get a job in most things I like. However, I don't like the idea of skydiving, and it's not essential to my future, so I'm not going to do it. For me, personally, drinking is like skydiving. I don't want to do it, I don't need to do it, so I don't do it. Simple as that.
3. I can "have fun" without it. Once again, another argument people come up with is "You'll have more fun if you drink!" Uhhh... I don't think so. I actually rather enjoy watching all of you "be silly" while I'm sober. I mean, it's cool that you're acting stupid; I have no problem with it. I'm just happy I'll be able to remember all of it the next day and tell you all of it. Wouldn't you miss having someone tell you all the silly things you said or did? Yeah. That's what I'm there for. I consider myself one who is perfectly capable of having fun without the assistance of alcohol. If you're not, drink on up. I don't give a flying magical fridge.
4. I know my body. One thing a lot of people don't know about me is that I get "addicted" to things really, really easily, and I am one who does things out of habit (another part of the "addiction," I think). I consider it part of who I am. I'm not ashamed of it. For example, the vegetarian place here has really good food, but the beginning of this year, I found myself in the habit of constantly getting the hummus platter (with garlic and red pepper hummus) and a fruit salad. Every. Single. Day. It's not that it's that amazing; I just fell into the habit of getting it. The habit, I think, is part of the addiction for me. I also can't stop eating sugar and pop. Addicted. I know it's not exactly the definition of addicted, but, considering the fact that it takes more power than it should for me to not buy cookies and chocolate everyday, I consider it to be one of my addictions. Since alcohol isn't exactly on the health list (in many cases), I think it would be bad for me to risk forming any kind of addiction to it. Just thinking.
5. I like having complete control of my actions. I'm not a control freak. I'm really not. I usually am cool with just "going with the flow." When it comes to my personal actions, however, I like knowing that I made all my own choices and that they weren't influenced by anything I drank. Simple as that.
6. I don't do things just because "everyone else" is doing it. This is possibly one of the most popular arguments I get for this topic. "You should do it because other people at the party are (so it'll be more fun... goes alone with #2)." -sigh- Okay. I, obviously, am not one who does things because "everyone else" does it. Need examples?
1) I don't eat meat. Being a vegetarian is not the "norm" in this society. Most people eat meat. It's pretty much part of how our society has adapted. When I decided to become a vegetarian, I only knew one other person who was like me. Now, I know only four.
2) I'm an atheist. The "norm" in the U.S. society is to believe in some kind of higher power, especially the monotheistic god. Obviously, I don't let my religious views get decided on by what "everyone else" is doing. Most of my friends are also Christians. And my family, too. (In fact, my family is full of a lot of really devout Catholics... just sayin'.)
3) I did choir throughout school years instead of sports. I don't know about your town, but in my town, everyone paid attention to the sports. That was the "norm" there. A good chunk of the school some how managed to participate in a sport. Not only was it a norm in my school, but it was what most of my mom's side of the family does/did. I did not let the acceptance of my extracurricular activities be determined by what was normal in my school and family.
Now, looking at this list, these are three things that kind of make up a big part of who I am. Drinking is such a small activity (but is made a big deal by my peers and society). If I didn't let society or those closest to me decide on these huge parts of who I am, then why would I let what "everyone" at the party is doing make me decide whether or not I'm going to do something? Besides, doing something because "everyone else" is doing it is just... well, it's kind of stupid. Unless it's going to save your life or someone else's life, deciding to do something because it's expected of you by those around you means you're not thinking for yourself. That's where and when I lose respect for you. (Just being honest.)
Now, I want to emphasise, once again, that I do not think there is anything wrong (morally speaking) with drinking; it's just not right for me. I think a lot of people think I'm trying to be "mightier" than they are in terms of my morals. I'm really, truly, honestly not trying to be or seem like it. I'm perfectly fine with being at parties with drinking and watching my friends drink. I don't try to talk them out of it (just ask them), nor do I stop them cold in their tracks (unless I think they've already had too many and are at risk of actually harming themselves). I really don't care.
Okay. I think I'm done ranting.
Congrats if you got to the end of this. If you want to leave a comment, as always, feel free to do so. I wrote this so I didn't have to explain myself so much anymore.
Okay. Now that I have that off my chest and it's 3:00 A.M., I think I can get some sleep.
Good night!
And I lurve you all!
Chelsea :)
*Just have to avoid people. Ha. Ha. Ha.
** Plus, it might help me sleep. I hope. Grrr. -yawns-
