Sober Curious about Festivalling Alcohol Free?

Some things seem impossible until you do it (like festivalling alcohol free) or as elusive as the Pink Panther (winning tickets to see your favourite music artist). Ever wondered who’s life that actually happens in? That was me too - until I embraced an alcohol free life after reading This Naked Mind and was lucky enough to be that girl winning TRNSMT 2023 tickets! It’s insane how much my life has changed from hangovers and FOMO. I feel like the lottery advert when I say “It could be you!” when I talk about the freedom and peace of mind an alcohol free life brings, but it’s actually true! 

Well, as I continue in my blogging, I'll reveal more of my own story on going AF, but for now – are you sober curious about going to a festival?  

Early Friday, I was in Glasgow for a catch up with my Uni bestie and we came across the Three stand in Buchannan Street. One of the many great things about an AF Friday night is a hangover free Saturday morning, making the most of the quieter traffic and shops, taking advantage of bargains and opportunities. The fantastic team who gave me (and I literally mean walked up and offered them) the tickets were full of fun.  Even though I was way out my comfort zone making the 360 video, dashing home to get ready and back out in a flash, I no longer have the urge to numb the anxiety which unexpected attention and changing of plans can bring. I would not have been up for that after a night of drinking! 
 

Life led me to believe drinking was essential to enjoy events like concerts and festivals.  I had the social belief that alcohol was the elixir of life at an event, central to the fun, what the most popular people did because it was cool, a way to let loose of inhibitions, a numbing and distraction from tolerating standing in long queues for drinks or stinky toilets (the irony), cope with being in a crowded place with lots of people getting well within my personal space, and properly “soak up the atmosphere”. I used to feel like getting home was then a challenge and my anxiety would rise about getting out and finding safe transport home. Sound familiar? 

When I chose to get curious about each of these, I gained clarity that my thoughts were in fact completely contrary to the truth! 😮🤯 For TRNSMT, not only was i up and able to grab the exciting opportunity that was there for me, I also reinforced my growing neural pathway and subconscious which is becoming what underpins my thoughts and beliefs about concerts and festivals. My mindset has done a complete 180 degree turn! 

So, what was it really like? Well, I wasn’t already drinking before I left, so by the time I arrived, so I wasn’t itching for my next drink and straight to the queues for another. Infact, I was hardly queuing because I chose to drink water, I wasn’t dehydrating myself and that constant thirst for more alcohol wasn’t there. I could really enjoy the artists!  

I knew I would remember the fun I was having and also how much fun the people with me really were. I did noticed how unsettled some people were, the alcohol induced arguments and upset. Many fans were missing the bands they had paid to see because they had the urge to go for a drink. For me, what was great was I could choose to let that all slide by me and really enjoy the experience. My ability to focus on what I wanted to wasn’t compromised. When people engaged with me or were extremely close, I didn’t have anxiety of what they might do, because I was completely confident that I had the responsiveness I needed. That actually made interacting with the people I chose to a lot more fun, and within my boundaries. I’ll say one thing about the toilets - although they are really terrible by the end of the night, at least going into them sober, you have the savvy to clean them up before you use them (or wait for another). Getting home felt like a breeze and I even managed pick my daughter up finishing her late shift at work and drove my niece home. 
I would NEVER have been able to do even a fraction of that when I drank alcohol - I would have lost much of my night, and passed out with make up on (and possibly my clothes 🤪), waking with a stinging hangover and feeling super grumpy. Not now though. The weekend was another amazing AF weekend for me, and I love it! 

If you are curious to explore festivalling or going to events alcohol free, one of the challenges you may have is talking to friends about not drinking. Here are some tips... 

1. Make a firm decision – if you think maybe you’ll drink, then you definitely will. 
2. Have a plan about what to say if someone offers you a drink. 
3. Get accountable – write down your plan or speak through it with someone about it. A coach is a great support to hold space for you to make your own choices, share experience of potential pitfalls, and also be there after the event. 
4. Get a friend who is going to be on board as moral support for sticking to your plan. 
5. Have a plan of how you will end your night – avoid the getting home and falling into the “I did so well, but now I’m going to drink” trap. 

One of my go to strategies in the early days of being out was was insisting I got the first round. People love to focus on themselves, so I would ask them what they wanted and have what I was ordering for myself clear in my own head. It then kept my hands and conversations busy with the bar staff. If someone else started the buying, I was prepared with the phrase “ Can I have a diet coke for this one, please?” People saw my cup looked the same as I always drank when out (usually rum and diet coke). When I stopped drinking I was really anxious about judgement from others, and I really didn’t want anyone to know my business. Now I can happily talk about my choices, and friends and family would never even offer alcohol. Only strangers would query what I’m drinking and with time, practice and genuine belief in my choices, I have no problem replying. That was a little trickier on the dating scene, but that may or may not be for another time!  

On top of all the physical, emotional and mindset benefits of festivalling alcohol free, I found another two amazing bonuses to the friends/drinks situation at festivals. 

1. I rarely buy a round of drinks because I drink much less over the night.  
2. At £7.50 -£10 for a spirit and mixer, the cost of a festival is way more affordable! 

Times have changed and I’ve been to many concerts and festivals where I no longer drink - and I can confirm festival experiences are EVEN BETTER AF. Over time, this just becomes increasingly true, as I gain even more awareness of benefits. Imagine something getting better all the time rather than heading down the slippery slope of worry, shame and guilt. If you are heading out to a concert or festival, what are your thoughts and plans? Why don’t find out for yourself how great festivalling is alcohol free! 

If you would like to connect with me, please use the social media handles at the side or visit my website to find out about the freedom and peace of mind you can experience through my coaching and free resources! 

You are truly deserving of the life you desire! 

Love  

Coach Susan x