9 reasons I've given up binge drinking this winter

* Cue eye rolling from several of my friends…


Now settle petals, obviously I’m not giving up drinking forever and I wouldn’t turn down a nice glass of merlot - that would be silly. What I’m giving up is everything that comes with the routine binge-drinking culture which is the same every night.  I’m sacrificing my health, my bank account, my figure and all too often my dignity so that I can have the same conversations with the same people, in the same bars on a Saturday night. I’ve been doing it for 5 years now and I can only tell my nights apart by the outfits that I wore



This winter I’ll be avoiding the octagon past 10pm and heres why you should join me.


#1”Say no to nip frip"
It’s f*cking cold. You can’t tell me you enjoy standing in those octagon lines freezing your tits off in your new strapless from Slicks, 2 scrumpy’s down so that your alcohol blanket will be thick enough you don’t notice that is 2 degrees.
Sure, you could take a jacket with you but what happens when you finally get inside the bar and you start sweating into the satin lining? where’re you going to put it? and say goodbye to your contour and your brows, babe. Just saying. 
Come 3am you’ve got two choices, walk home in the cold or stand at the taxi line for 20 minutes.. in the cold. 




#2. Like most of us, I tend to put on a few unwanted pounds over the winter months. For some reason I stop craving strawberry and avocado salads and start craving nachos and donuts.. anyways..  By not going out you’re eliminating the large plate of carbs you ate to line your stomach in preparation for binge drinking, approximately 2000 calories worth of alcoholic beverages and the 3am kebab you had on the way home that gave you stitch (and dare I mention, tomorrows greasy hangover food). . After winter comes spring and you’ll soon be thinkn’ bout dat bikini bod and not bout dem nuggets.


#3 “Get money, honey”
We could all do with some extra cash right? Imagine if you didn’t blow all yours on a night you don’t remember and 3 rounds of tequila you  now regret? enough said. 


#4 “7 days a week”
I don’t have the worst hangovers in the world but I certainly use the night before as an excuse stay in bed until lunch time, skip the gym, forget my assignments and somewhat resemble a sloth - but less cute.  By giving up your night of binge drinking you actually get a Sunday! Plus while your friends are out taking candid photos for instagram, you’ll have more time than you know what to do with (re watch Gilmore Girls or start a blog).You’re welcome, spend it wisely my child. 


#5 “no ragretz”
Whether I remember my night or not I tend to wake up in the morning feeling sick with anxiety (or maybe its alcohol poisoning.. probably both). What did I do last night? Who was I wayyyy too friendly with? Which bouncers did I sass this time? How many friend requests do I have? This is before I look at my drunk texts to my ex and the “Wuu2” I sent to a guy I’m not even into. Can I handle a bit of fomo if it means I don’t embarrassed and regretful on a Sunday morning? Yeah, I think so. 


#6 “I don’t f*ck wid you”
I don’t know about the rest of you, but often when I go out with a group of friends, one or two people I’m not super thrilled to be hanging with. By turning down Saturday nights it actually allows you to reserve your socialising for quality friends, rather than your friends flatmates other friend who thinks you’re so pretty and makes you come to the bathroom with her 7 times a night where she tells you the latest about her tinder fling (which you don’t know anything about, because you only met her tonight).


#7 “when your Mac cost $40 you can’t afford to be kissing f*ck boys”
The rise of the f*ck boy is upon us. I know it, you know it and they know it. If you don’t want to feel like every guy you meet is just after one thing then stay away from their haunts. Particularly in winter, bars and clubs are where single guys go to prey on cold, lonely, insecure, cold, single girls. 


#8 “because you’re worth it”
Giving up alcohol for improves your health in so many ways. You’ll have more energy, your skin will thank you, your brain function will improve and your liver will cry a river of joy.  


#9 “I’m on the pursuit of happiness. I’ll be fine once I get it. I’ll be good”
I’m sure your mum, your health teacher and a handful of nurses at student health have all told you that alcohol is a depressant. Well it is. For me, the depressive effects of binge drinking on a Saturday night can often linger until Tuesday night by which time I’ve spent 3 days hating myself and taking it out on everyone around me. Much to your disappointment (and mine) alcohol doesn’t make you a better person. 




I’m not saying y’all shouldn’t go out have a few too many beverages and have a damn good time with it, but for me its run its course. From now on i’ll be saving my drinks for special occasions that don’t include “because it’s Saturday”. I reserve no judgement for anyone currently lining up at Leith liquor for their park lanes - girl (boy), you do you.