A new challenge please

It was a special week. Last weekend we went to the theater for a great concert by Joris Linssen and Caramba. Celebrated my birthday with my family on Sunday. My birthday was Wednesday last week. And the weekend before that I was with my family in a holiday home between Deventer and Enschede.

In this blog I would have liked to tell you about the temptations that I have overcome. How I struggled against alcoholism. But that I was strong. That I started running, meditating, doing tai chi exercises to divert attention. (A quarter of an hour is often enough to make the worst appetite recede, I've read.)

Imagine: A few days away with two grown sons. Grab a terrace on the sun-drenched Brink in Deventer. Celebrating a birthday with my foster father and brother-in-law, who do like a beer. After the theater visit, linger in the foyer for a drink.

But there was no pull. After more than 80 days without alcohol, not drinking seems to have become a habit. It's getting easier.

I did get some help, I must admit. My sons had brought alcohol-free beer to our holiday home – while I'm sure they also like a Trappist beer with friends. And the liquor store in Holten had an extensive range of non-alcoholic wine. Which was also surprisingly tasty.

In Deventer we settled down on the terrace of Bussink, the famous Deventer cookie baker. There was still a table available on a busy, sunny Saturday. At Bussink they do serve coffee and tea (with a slice of cake, of course), but no alcohol. Perhaps that was the reason that a table was available for us.

So no need for alcohol. That feels good. But something is gnawing in the background. I've talked about that in previous blogs as well. What do I do after Easter? Will the drinker in me rise again? My fear is that after the first beer the threshold for the second beer is immediately a lot lower. And then a glass of whiskey is also possible.

I asked R. about it. I know him from an association and I noticed that he never drinks alcohol at meetings. Prefer a cup of tea or a glass of water. R. is a sporty type. "I used to drink," he told me. “But I often felt it the next day. I wasn't up for that. Once in a while a glass of whiskey with friends, but I think that's enough.'

"I don't need alcohol to feel good and social," he continued. “Sometimes I see people who need 3 or 4 shots first to loosen up a bit. That doesn't bother me. I also enjoy myself without alcohol and I easily approach someone to start a conversation.' I had already noticed that. R. makes contact very easily. I'm a bit jealous of that.

In the meantime, the alcohol-free existence suits me very well. As said, I don't feel the need to reach for the bottle. 3 more weeks; April 17 is Easter. Only 18 days to go from the publication of this blog. Then we'll see. Hey people from IkPas, don't you have a new challenge up your sleeve?