Yes. (In Prince Rupert) it’s finally sunny! I used to synonymize a sunny day with DRINKING. It was automatic. Sunny days and getting drunk went together like sourdough and peanut butter do in my current life.
The strength of some alcohol associations..impressive. Some of mine actually felt indestructible for a long time which I’d say is one of the main reasons it took me 5783647 tries to quit drinking once and for all.
Beer and fires. Beer and camping. Wine and charcuterie. Dinner and drinks. Drinks and the beach. Getting hammed at a wedding (I was sober at my own wedding.) Whatever.
I have talked about this many times on here I’m sure but there are steps we can take to dismantle these seemingly unbreakable partnerships. It starts with getting present and getting real – asking yourself some questions and truthfully answering.
Using all the senses to question yourself works well. What sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches/feelies do you like about the activity that is allegedly only fun if you’re drinking?
I’ll use fires as my example.
I love the flickering flame that can make me go into a trance and also the way it makes cool shadows and lights up other peoples’ faces who are around it. I also love the look of the sparks and the smoke too, as long as it’s not in my face. I REALLY love looking at stars, which I associate with fires in my favourite places in northern BC.
I love the cracking sound of the wood burning especially when it’s super dry, and I love that popping mini-explosion sound that happens sometimes.
I love the smell of being outside, or the smell of a house with a woodstove. I love the smell of my clothes and hair after having been at an outside fire. Some people think it’s gross but I love it.
I do love the taste of the beer I used to drink around a fire (fuckin’ sue me ahaha), but I also love the taste of non-alcoholic beer that tastes the same to me. I also love hot chocolate, coffee, Bubly and virgin caesars, all of which are great for drinking anywhere including around a fire.
I love the feeling of your clothes getting so hot you have to rotate, the feeling of being bundled up if it’s cold outside, the feeling of wearing summer clothes if it’s a day fire and it’s hot out, and I love the feeling of being cozy.
Voila. Alcohol has nothing to fucking do with why I love fires. Or sunny days, for that matter.
BRING ON SUMMER.
JammieKomadina 