This is what 3 weeks without wine does to you

Today is day 21. Not that I'm counting, by the way, but I have a checklist calendar for my wine-free month received. My verdict so far is that I quite like it. Everyone who knows me a little is now cautiously choking on their wine.

The first time with friends at the table, I had to give myself a little push towards the Crodino. I was also exaggerating how deliciously bitter and at the same time sweet it was with such a big ice cube in it. But I was so good at praising it that I actually believed it myself. A week later, I didn't even need that bottle anymore and I curled up on the couch with a glass of ginger beer.

Now, Rutte might have had a hand in making it a bit easier for me. What does the Prime Minister have to do with that? Well, quite a bit. Normally, I frequently go to a restaurant, bar, or terrace, and he pretty much closed those down when I started sober October. Truly, nothing seems less cozy to me than not being able to consume anything there. Or would it actually be okay? That dinner with friends went quite well, that Sunday afternoon lunch without drinks was just as cozy as with, and I also managed the press conference about the partial lockdown without an extra sip. Hmmm, food for thought.

Maybe I secretly thought once that I had succeeded and had long proven to myself that I can go a long time without drinking, but now I will finish it too. I wanted to return to those alcohol-free weekdays, which has already succeeded. I just want to keep it to the moments when it’s nice, instead of easily downing gin tonics at a party.

The advantages…

1. I’m tidying up the kitchen after a pleasant evening with friends, because: not tipsy.

2. Continuing to drink seems more of a habit, the glass of wine that I really enjoy is that during the weekend around snack time after a day of heavy work at home or a beach walk.

3. Suddenly, I dream of quality over quantity and that when we open a bottle, it has to be a really good one.

4. I fall asleep less quickly in the evening, which gives me time for a Greek course.

5. It saves money, because my wine preferences are not cheap.

Whatever it becomes, I will definitely go for occasionally 30 days without, because I really like it.