7 weeks no booze ... have been semi tempted but the next day when i wake up its quite funny how i dont miss not having them.
That! Me too! Both on the weeks & the feeling of "oh yea, awesome, I'm glad I didn't drink last night" the night before.
Agreed with the next morning feeling. It's the social anxiety/awkwardness the night OF that makes it feel very stressful to not have some social lubricant.
I'm getting so much better at socializing without a social lubricant, which was my hardest part, too, and I'm loving the feeling of accomplishment that comes from a sober social gathering. It's been a learning curve though.
For me having something in my hand that isn't obviously non-alcoholic helps (like a kombucha that looks like beer or sparkling water & bitters than looks like a cocktail) so the conversation doesn't revolve around "why are you not drinking?" - which is the worst way to start a night I feel (either I have to explain I'm not pregnant or people look at me like I must be an alcoholic or want to have a conversation about how they are a functional alcoholic).
I also try to get to parties early when I'm on the same level as other people and leave early before everyone's a drunk fool. I try to host at my house more, where I feel more comfortable, and socialize with folks one-on-one or a small group instead of large groups.
At networking events, I find someone who is outgoing early in the evening, bite the bullet in talking to them, and if I choose well, the conversation turns into other conversations helping me avoid the "i am sober and sad in the corner and afraid to have any conversation".
At fundraisers, I prefer to have a job anyway, and I have a liquor license, so I volunteer to be the bartender, which means I get to see everyone over the course of the evening as they come to the bar, have quick conversations, and I can't legally drink. Best of all worlds.