No booze today

I don’t feel like drinking today. 

I don’t feel like drinking most days. But especially not today. 

Not because I’m hungover. 

Not because I’m toxic from too many drinks in recent days. 

Not because I’m going sober. (Maybe one day, but my escapades with beverages aren’t over yet.) 

But because I haven’t been drinking. It’s been about nine days since the last hefty, square-shaped ice cubed landed in my glass. 

When the booze fog clears the mental clarity kicks in like a fresh, perfectly-coiled lemon rind. 

Top that off with those feel-good, healthy endorphins and it’s suddenly easy (for me) to turn a shoulder to a hoppy IPA, a grassy Sauvignon Blanc, or a straight-to-the-point vodka martini with a lemon twist. 

I’ll ride this clarity high for a while, then check in with myself at the end of the week. By then a need for a tasty high five may have kicked in again and I’ll be popping cubes out of the silicone freezer mold. 

As long as I don’t overdo it, I like this cycle. Take breaks, take sips and enjoy both. 

Relish in the moments of clarity, but also savor all of the released inhibitions and joyful glow.

Both feel like winning. Both feel they have a place in my life. 

But more importantly, no judgement — just float with my current state of mind and trust that my mood and intuition will let me know what’s up.

It’s a balance. If I lean too far one way that balance is temporarily lost. As long as I’m staying mindful and aware, I’m good with letting the olives lean heavy on one side of the toothpick.