Nicky Park: The wagon ride is over

10:55 AM Monday Jun 18, 2012

Alcohol can be fun and freeing. Photo / Thinkstock

When I decided to take a break from alcohol I wasn't sure if I would be able to go six weeks. I'm sure plenty of my friends didn't think I'd make it either. Not because I'm an alcoholic, or because I rely on alcohol to have a good time, but because knocking back booze is so heavily embedded in our 20-something culture that it seemed like living without it would be a battle.

Over the last six weeks I've chewed the fat at cosy bars, hosted people at home, been to a couple of gigs and enjoyed dinner dates, all sans alcohol. I'm not asking for a medal. But I have to admit that I'm pretty chuffed with proving to myself that great fun can be had without alcohol. I have saved lots of money and I forgot what a hangover feels like. There hasn't been a day wasted feeling sorry for myself, apologising for the night before or craving strawberry milk and hot chips.

Giving my body a chance to experience a dry life has put me in the best shape of my life - physically and mentally. Maybe I need to eat a teaspoon of cement, but thriving isn't as easy when you're dehydrated and depressed after a big night. I have much more motivation and I feel well.

So if life was all roses without alcohol why don't I declare myself teetotal forever?

I don't like the idea of banning something from my life. I try my best to listen to my body and treat myself in a way that makes living feel good.

It makes me feel happy when I go wine tasting with my man friend. I love sharing a G&T in the sunshine with my flatmates. I enjoy breaking the ice with new people over a couple of glasses of pinot noir and popping a bottle of Moet with old friends. Beer, well, I don't really miss the heavy, glum belly that I get after a couple of bottles, so I don't think I'll be wrapping my lips around an ale anytime soon.

But overall, I enjoy the vibe that alcohol can induce. It can be fun and freeing - it just needs to be enjoyed with some consideration for the consequences. So this is my stop, after six weeks, I'm hopping off the wagon. It's been a refreshing ride.

Cheers.

Follow Life & Style Editor Nicky Park on Twitter.

Ianmac (Blenheim) | 02:07PM Monday, 18 Jun 2012

My 26 year old son decided to try to be alcohol free for 4 weeks after a few years of binge drinking with his mates. 4 weeks became 6 became 10 weeks. He still goes out with his mates, drinks juice and has a whale of a time and is thrilled with his born again weekends. He did all this because he chose to. Hope like you Nicky, that it continues for a long time.

P - opinion () | 02:07PM Monday, 18 Jun 2012

Good work. Ill be interested how you get on, and how the first glass feels after such a long break. Good Luck!

Allan (Hamilton) | 02:24PM Monday, 18 Jun 2012

I've never been drunk in my life, and never really felt the need to either (this includes years at Uni and the army). I don't feel that I've "banned" something from my life, but instead have chosen to not use alcohol (there are no religious grounds either). I've been told that I'm "lucky" by drinkers for not drinking. I don't see how choosing not to drink makes me lucky. Them chosing to drink and hating the consequences just makes them stupid.