While Dry January has come and left, there’s always that tiny little bit of curiosity that makes us wonder whether we should hop off the bandwagon too.
Seeing all our friends well-rested and with full bank accounts (sigh) makes you wonder what could have been had you stopped drinking in January too. But then there’s the little voice inside our heads that makes us doubt ourselves— “It’s college, there’s no way to avoid drinking,” “I want to be able to enjoy myself with friends,” “What am I supposed to do with my hands when I’m at the bar?” and “Won’t I feel left out and awkward?”
All of those thoughts and questions are totally valid, as going against the grain of something like the college party scene after being a part of it for so long can feel scary and not worthwhile.
Before you doubt your own self-control, VALLEY is here to remind you that just because you’re not drinking doesn’t mean you have to miss out on anything, especially your four precious years of college.
If there’s one thing you need to know about not drinking on a night out, it’s the empowerment that comes along with it. While in nights past you may have thought it was a good idea to take that extra green tea shot and chase it with a Snapchat to your ex, there’s no fear of letting your drunk self take over and ruin the next day for your sober self. You have the mindset to know that first, green tea shots are the devil in disguise, and second, if you would never reach out to your ex sober why would you do it now?
It’s knowing that you have the choice to drink and are choosing not to that gives you a sense of power in knowing that you have control over how your night is going to turn out. And, more importantly, how you’re going to feel the next morning.
Once you gain the self-control that usually leaves us in the State College bars, then there’s this other main concern of what to do with our hands. It’s a silly thing to think about but you don’t realize it until you’re looking around and seeing everyone has a drink in their hand except for you. It’s almost as if you’re undercover and don’t want to blow the mission— you need something in your hands. Well, not really, but if you really feel like you need something ask for water if you’re at a frat or house party or a club soda with a lime at the bars! It gives a sort of placebo effect and avoids the anxiety of someone questioning where your drink is.
Perfect, you haven’t blown your cover… yet.
While it’s hard to think about not participating in such a big part of college culture, it doesn’t mean you still can’t tag along and have your own fun— you’re just doing it on your own terms. Not to mention, the ability to wake up in the morning without the Sunday Scaries and hangxiety is a flex in and of itself. Sometimes, it really is a rarity to have a sense of normalcy in your sleep schedule in college. So even if you decide to go out, maybe think about your future self for a moment and consider the thought of a warm and cozy bed that is far warmer than frat row or a crowded bar.
So, what are you waiting for? What’s the harm in deciding to not drink for the night?
Take a chance, challenge your self-control and see what it’s really like to be an outsider looking in— take it from us, it’s an eye-opener. Whether you get hooked onto a sober lifestyle filled with clarity or decide to just take a step back from excessive drinking, how will you know if you never try?
Tweet us @VALLEYmag with your thoughts on sober curiosity, Dry January and your experiences with taking on the State College nightlife sober!
