When I drink to excess, it creates a lot of drama in my life. Not Soap-Opera, Tangle-with-the-Law drama. Or even Throw-Things-in-a-Fit-of-Anger Drama. Just Making-every-Day-Hard Drama.
It starts with waking up later than intended, feeling sluggish. There's the drama of racing to get to work. Hoping to be presentably dressed and smelling good. Ignoring the pile of dishes in the sink and the unmade beds, living on the adrenaline of the last moment.
Then the drama of last-minute surges to meet deadlines at work. And, oops, the deadline or two I forgot about. Work like a fiend to get these done, fueled on caffeine and adrenalin. The drama of finding something to eat, since I forgot to bring a lunch. Figuring out where to stop to buy wine on the way home. Figuring out my 15 yo daughter's schedule, so I am able to drive her safely where she needs to go.
Today, I got up with plenty of time to have a Diet Coke (my version of coffee), read the paper, do a load of laundry, straighten up the remaining kitchen mess. In a little while, I will be showered and dressed, with my lunch safely stowed in my bag, ready to drop Daughter off at school on my way to work.
Which feels better? Hands down, I'll take a morning like today over any pleasure and escapism of drinking at night.
Who knew?
It starts with waking up later than intended, feeling sluggish. There's the drama of racing to get to work. Hoping to be presentably dressed and smelling good. Ignoring the pile of dishes in the sink and the unmade beds, living on the adrenaline of the last moment.
Then the drama of last-minute surges to meet deadlines at work. And, oops, the deadline or two I forgot about. Work like a fiend to get these done, fueled on caffeine and adrenalin. The drama of finding something to eat, since I forgot to bring a lunch. Figuring out where to stop to buy wine on the way home. Figuring out my 15 yo daughter's schedule, so I am able to drive her safely where she needs to go.
Today, I got up with plenty of time to have a Diet Coke (my version of coffee), read the paper, do a load of laundry, straighten up the remaining kitchen mess. In a little while, I will be showered and dressed, with my lunch safely stowed in my bag, ready to drop Daughter off at school on my way to work.
Which feels better? Hands down, I'll take a morning like today over any pleasure and escapism of drinking at night.
Who knew?
