I went to a party this week and everyone was drinking! I’m not a drinker, but I still want to go to parties. What do I do?

Hi “Not a Drinker”

This is the quintessential high school problem: give in to peer pressure or to stand your ground. I know in the coming lines I may run the risk of sounding like your preaching parents, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing. After all, we both do have your best interests at heart.

I know how hard it can be to be be the solo sober partygoer; I’ve done it more than once. In fact, every time I’ve been to a party, I have been the lone sober soul. I, like you, just don’t feel the need to drink. Besides the legal consequences, I’m not sure I would like losing control of my body in front of all my peers. 

But I still manage to have fun at parties! The key is realizing that nobody at the party really cares if you drink or not. A friend may offer you something, but if you refuse, they usually respect your decision. If they don’t, I’m not sure they should be your friend. In fact, they should be thrilled; the less you drink, the more is left for them. And as a special bonus, you can volunteer as a designated driver and make sure you never let anyone who has been drinking get behind the wheel. 

The only person your decision affects is you! Once you move past how you believe everyone is perceiving you, it’s infinitely easier to have fun.

A Sober Sayonara,

Earl Grey