Tag: food

How To Not Drink Alcohol On NYE

New Years Eve is one of, if not the biggest drinking holiday. Coming off the tails of Christmas it is a way to toast to the year to come. However… what does that mean for anyone who is sober curious or a long time non – drinker? The good news is it is popular to participate in Dry January and try out not drinking for a select amount of time. How can you ring in the new year without a hangover on January 1st?….

First off, it might be impossible to get to the bar….

When you have plans to hit the town you will be faced with a mob of people screaming at the bartender for drinks. Even if you want a glass of sparkling wine you might not be able to.

Decide what your plan is….

The more you meander and are not solid about your plans then your friends or even strangers might lure you into the bar and offer drinks. It always best to obviously be safe, but also know what venue or bar you will be at.

Speaking of venue….

A lackluster bar watching a football game is too boring. You need to be dancing and having an amazing time. There is more temptation to get sloshed when there is nothing special happening.

Carry limited cash….

One way to at least limit drinking is to only carry a set amount of cash on you. When you have run out of money you are done.

Do a nice dinner instead of pre-gaming….

It’s classy to do a nice dinner either in your home or at a restaurant. It prevents you from being in a mindset of getting drunk with everyone around you

Most bars have fancy mocktails….

Compared to even five years ago bars have kept up with trends of people upstaining from alcohol. I recently went to a fancy cocktail bar that offered adaptogen fake liquor. It gave the specialness and care of a regular cocktail without the consequences.

Leave before the ball drops….

No need to stay out. I recommend doing the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes under a table at the stroke of midnight. I did this last new years when I decided to stay in. I consider 2024 one of my luckiest years, just saying.

Bottom Line….

Yes, you can still enjoy yourself on New Years Eve Sober. The main problem I have faced with drinking in the past is being around people who will peer pressure. Don’t get sucked into a plan that you don’t want. I give you permission to ignore the texts. All superstitions are to prevent bringing bad vibes into the new year. Be joyous, kiss, dance the night away.

“Low Lift” Hangs And Dates

We are at the beginning of the year and the consensus I am getting is people are already exhausted. It is a good reminder we have about eleven months to get through. I personally go by the Lunar New Year to give myself slightly more time to get things rolling. It is tricky to do a 180 after all the holidays. As far as our relationships (friendship and dating), preserving energy and balance is a must to avoid burnout. How can you orchestrate “low lift” hangs and first dates?….

Dating:

You are already out and about….

In my app days I would take advantage of already being out and about. This is the time to use Bumble and send out “the bat signal” to men and to see who is already around. Does it always work? No. But, it is a good opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

Pre-game dates….

Your friendships should be your main plan. There is no harm in squeezing in a quick date before you meet up with your friends or go to an event. Having a time limit creates anticipation and desire to have “a real date.”

Invite a date to a party….

This is case-by-case. Do not invite a date to an intimate dinner. If it’s a “the more the merrier” type of casual party, bring a date.

The double book….

I have a whole article on this. It is great to maximize your time while already out and in a cute outfit. Use one guy as the “warm up” date and the second guy as either a second date or someone whom you are more interested in.

Friendships:

Errand hangs….

Take your friends to Target with you. It can be more enjoyable and less dreadful to just do something you were already needing to do. You can also grocery shop at Trader Joe’s for the week.

Do a coffee in between errands….

For those who need to concentrate on boring errands, grab a tea or coffee after or on the way. It is great to get grounded and in a better mood before you go to the DMV.

Take your dogs to the dog park….

All animal lovers should let their pets bond while you gossip about the cute guy with the Werner pup.

Have weekly potlucks….

Instead of going to a restaurant, do a potluck and theme dinner. Stream your dating profiles to the TV and swipe together as a group.

Bottom Line….

Certain plans do not need to be the main act. I prefer to get the most out of my night out as far as being social. I used to squeeze in dates as much as I could. Use your time wisely and maximize while you are already dressed and out. For friendships, you bond more in the shopping errands than the large dinners with a group of friends. Doing these micro hangs will keep you from burning out and feeling like you cannot leave your home on the weekends.