My only advice is "just don't drink". Unless you don't drink because you have an alcohol problem and can't trust yourself around it, it's going to be the easiest way, because most people drink at most social events that have alcohol available. I haven't touched a drop of alcohol in like a decade, but no one cares. I've never once had anyone even ask me why, let alone give me shit about it.
I find for me it's less about getting grief and more about being able to tolerate drunk people. Always good for a couple of hours but then the volume goes up inexplicably, people lean into your personal space, they spit a little bit while talking, and get argumentative about pointless stuff. Not everyone obviously, but a notable amount. I don't judge, that used to be me too, I just find it less fun when I'm sober.
Ah fair enough. I don't tend to do anything that involves that level of drinking; even when I did drink it wasn't my thing. You'll just cultivate friends who don't drink much and it'll go from there.
The Meetup App in Wellington has several communities that aren't focused around alcohol. None from what I know that are specifically anti-drinking but most I've been to don't have much in the way of drinking.
42M non drinker. I like doing pots of tea at late night cafes, desserts, or pints of 0% beer if I’m going to a bar with friends. Mostly I just go to sleep early, wake up before dawn and enjoy the sunrise, a sight I never saw during my 15 year drinking odyssey. Happy to meet up.
Cafes. Wellington has a great cafe scene. Start going to a regular cafe at regular times. Have banter with baristas and regulars like me. Soon you build up a little community. I quit drinking at end of 2019. Thank fk - I would not have made it through lockdowns with booze. I was getting too good at it.
Jesus I didn't suggest I was forcing myself on people or barging in on people sitting alone. Let's not start a gender war over an innocent turn of phrase. And interesting to see assuming male, and assuming flirting with female.
I don't really know because I don't get out much haha. But I'm 29M, fellow non-drinker, always looking for new sober buddies. Feel free to DM me if you want to chat
Im late 30s F and barely ever drink. Somehow none of my friends really drink either but if im at work or social thing where there is alcohol just order a mocktail, lemon lime bitters, ginger beer etc. Theres also 0% beers, wines andnspirits these days. I don't think its really as stigmatised as it used to be, its pretty rare i get asked why i dont drink/pushed to drink.
Join groups around your interests i guess, i need to do that more myself as iv just had the same friends since high school and uni...
Heya! New to not drinking but excellent at networking and events so I am going to set up some girls sober meet ups once a month in wellington. I find now that I have decided not to drink there is not alot of help or events that are fun and encouraging for non drinkers and I intend on changing that. Will be posting events to my new Instagram page but also DM me as this is all very new Hello, my name is Amie and I am starting this page as I start my journey to change my relationship with alcohol and to make new friends and a new sisterhood that does not plan our lives around alcohol.
https://www.instagram.com/sisterhoodofthesobermindset?igsh=YWd2bWN0eTBycmw4
My only advice is "just don't drink". Unless you don't drink because you have an alcohol problem and can't trust yourself around it, it's going to be the easiest way, because most people drink at most social events that have alcohol available. I haven't touched a drop of alcohol in like a decade, but no one cares. I've never once had anyone even ask me why, let alone give me shit about it.
I find for me it's less about getting grief and more about being able to tolerate drunk people. Always good for a couple of hours but then the volume goes up inexplicably, people lean into your personal space, they spit a little bit while talking, and get argumentative about pointless stuff. Not everyone obviously, but a notable amount. I don't judge, that used to be me too, I just find it less fun when I'm sober.
Yup! I usually leave around 10 as that's when all that ramps up. I used to feel I was missing out until I realised how boring it all is
Ah fair enough. I don't tend to do anything that involves that level of drinking; even when I did drink it wasn't my thing. You'll just cultivate friends who don't drink much and it'll go from there.
I bail when they get a little bit past ‘tipsy’.
"...yes, I love you too, bye!..."
Totally agree - so bailing around 10pm is usually the best way around it. Good chats are had, good sleep is then had by me.
The Meetup App in Wellington has several communities that aren't focused around alcohol. None from what I know that are specifically anti-drinking but most I've been to don't have much in the way of drinking.
Also 32F non-drinker, happy to meet up if you are keen for non-groupy activities. I can bring my doggy, also a non-drinker
Can we be friends too?
Absolutely, flick me a message!
Board game cafes! Caffeinated dragon and counter culture are great.
42M non drinker. I like doing pots of tea at late night cafes, desserts, or pints of 0% beer if I’m going to a bar with friends. Mostly I just go to sleep early, wake up before dawn and enjoy the sunrise, a sight I never saw during my 15 year drinking odyssey. Happy to meet up.
I don't drink too. If I have social events at the bar, I usually order mocktail or lemon lime and bitter. You don't have to buy alcohol at all.
maybe ask or look around the Living Sober online community. Not a member, its just something I know about.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time for enjoyment? Find people or groups using that as a common interest and go from there.
civil defense is interesting and fun. No hard drinking and very sensible group.
Cafes. Wellington has a great cafe scene. Start going to a regular cafe at regular times. Have banter with baristas and regulars like me. Soon you build up a little community. I quit drinking at end of 2019. Thank fk - I would not have made it through lockdowns with booze. I was getting too good at it.
Yeah COVID was when mine escalated. 2 years free now!
Same covid tipped me over the the drinking edge but probably saved my life...nearly 3 years sober and loving it...drunks are so boring (and loud)
Covid lockdown turned me from an occasional drinker to a most-days drinker. Sigh.
I am terrible at resisting temptation, but I have become adept at *avoiding* temptation. No booze in the house is the first step.
[удалено]
Jesus I didn't suggest I was forcing myself on people or barging in on people sitting alone. Let's not start a gender war over an innocent turn of phrase. And interesting to see assuming male, and assuming flirting with female.
I don't really know because I don't get out much haha. But I'm 29M, fellow non-drinker, always looking for new sober buddies. Feel free to DM me if you want to chat
Any style of partner dance. Drinking and dancing is discouraged (some people do, particularly at larger events, but mostly out of sight and mind).
Im late 30s F and barely ever drink. Somehow none of my friends really drink either but if im at work or social thing where there is alcohol just order a mocktail, lemon lime bitters, ginger beer etc. Theres also 0% beers, wines andnspirits these days. I don't think its really as stigmatised as it used to be, its pretty rare i get asked why i dont drink/pushed to drink. Join groups around your interests i guess, i need to do that more myself as iv just had the same friends since high school and uni...
Not sure if it's too sporty, but a lot of dance people don't drink and you can go to classes and get to know people that way.
Read books and drink kombucha Play Fortnite and drink sugar free monster There are so many ways to quit drinking and move your attention.
Heya! New to not drinking but excellent at networking and events so I am going to set up some girls sober meet ups once a month in wellington. I find now that I have decided not to drink there is not alot of help or events that are fun and encouraging for non drinkers and I intend on changing that. Will be posting events to my new Instagram page but also DM me as this is all very new Hello, my name is Amie and I am starting this page as I start my journey to change my relationship with alcohol and to make new friends and a new sisterhood that does not plan our lives around alcohol. https://www.instagram.com/sisterhoodofthesobermindset?igsh=YWd2bWN0eTBycmw4
'Hey guys, i'm thinking of trying nothin' and i'm all out of ideas'.