I have never enjoyed drinking; I don't think I've ever once had a drink while alone. But because of lifelong shyness, I've always had THE BEST time being drunk. Remember the Paradise City scene in the movie Can't Hardly Wait? I was the female version of that guy.

But then I'd forget to stop ordering drinks. And then the next morning I'd have to deal with a brutal hangover and the panic and self-loathing of "I can't believe what I said last night" or "I can't believe I threw up on myself at a work party" (luckily, they were very cool about it and I'm still there 10 years later). I once fell down some stairs at a bar and didn't even notice how hurt I was until I woke up with a softball-sized bump on my arm the next morning (I had the bruise for almost six months!).

And because I didn't go out and drink that often, and I was relatively small, my tolerance was awful and it would be a disaster every time. It just stopped being worth it; I think the last time I was drunk was about four or five years ago. I might have one beer at a work party, but only because I've noticed people get offended and suspicious when someone doesn't drink. Even friends! People I've hung out with since high school still make remarks when they all order wine at dinner and I order a Diet Coke (as my three addictions are unhealthy food, Diet Coke, and the internet). And I ask them, "Do you remember me EVER ordering wine with dinner? Like ever in our lives?" And they look all confused because they simply cannot fathom someone not enjoying alcohol.
I still reserve the right to get drunk in the future if I want to have a nostalgic night out or attend a nerve-wracking event (e.g., I have ruined myself at every single class reunion), but I'm thrilled to be at an age when bars are no longer the center of everything. I know people think I'm more fun when drunk, but they'll just have to get over it. Caring less about what other people think has been my #1 favorite part of getting older.