Sober October is Over

Once again.

Did I get thinner/happier/more balanced/better skin/whatever from doing this month of giving up things?

Not as far as I can tell. But I know it was good for my body to stay off alcohol. I know in the long run it will be good for me to get used to eating less meat. I know that my hair is happy I didn't spray it down with chemicals, and I know that I don't look too bad without makeup. People still talk to me and give me hugs quite voluntarily.

Now: Easy does it. I went to the Wine Monopoly (this is Norway, go read about it) for the first time in months (I can't remember the last time, even before Sober October) and I was struck by how every other customer in there was a drunkard. This might have something to do with it being seventeen minutes before closing time (which is at 6 pm, we're still in Norway), but still, it was a fairly strong reminder of what alcohol can do to you.

Ahead: I'll remember that you don't have to drink in all social settings. I'll try not to be the one pressuring others into having another drink, and another, and I will try to be sober without feeling brave, and tipsy without getting drunk.

As for the rest, I'll keep doing it all (make-up! nomming meat! wearing perfume!), but again, hopefully in moderation.

Sober October, etc

Being able to pick oranges straight off the trees in Spain, thumbs up for vegetables

So, I said I'd write a bit more about this month, and seeing that we're now a week into it already, I should see to it. I am going to go one month without

• Alcohol
• Meat
• Shaving
• Make-up
• Hair products (excepting shampoo/conditioner)/Blow-dryers/etc

And you are probably wondering why. I have gotten quite a few questions about this, and I have replied with quite a few answers. I have abstained from all these things before, and I've managed it quite easily, which is the main reason I am doing all at once now: I love challenges, and I need to challenge myself more every year. Since 2008, I've had the ongoing challenge of buying only second-hand clothes. After living in England, I've tried giving up different things for Lent. And now, I've found that autumn is the perfect time to give up some things, for different reasons, so why not throw it all into one month of detoxing?

The first two are obvious. Health! Environment (at least the meat)! Getting more out of my weekends! Yes. The last three are more an experiment to see how long I can endure without them, and a way of convincing myself that I do actually look all right without mascara every day.

All five are a way of having something to discuss with people, as well as making myself more aware of the norms of society. Of course I am hoping the side effects will be that I feel and look healthier, and get a better self image. And no matter what, there's always my last reason, the one I tell people when I'm tired of going into detail and they ask me why I'm doing all this:

Why not? I'm enjoying it.