Party

A second post in one day, for the second day running. I really need the blog at the moment; it helps me so much. I’m about to get ready for this party. It’s a group of parents from my youngest daughter’s class, a boozy crowd who I know will give me grief for not drinking. After the last two evenings’ difficulties, I feel a bit tense, but I think I can do it.

A fellow sober blogger, More To Me Than This, once wrote about focusing on getting ready for a party, enjoying that part of the process, so that’s what I’m about to do. I’m going to have a nice bath, choose carefully what I’m going to wear, attempt not to look haggard, and use the time as part of the self-care so important in sobriety. I’ve always liked getting ready for parties but then usually ruin it by drinking too much, shouting rubbish, looking dreadful by the end and not really remembering anything about the party anyway.

It will be a challenge tonight. I expect there will be a pretty poor choice of AF drinks, and I don’t want to draw too much attention to my not drinking by taking along a mocktail concoction. The crowd there are party animals and I am worried I’ll feel left out and distant. I could not go, but I don’t want to pull out at this stage; having hosted these things in the past, it can be depressing when people don’t come.

But it is my choice to go, so I will make it work. I feel strong inside, and tomorrow will be Day 10.