Spring Winds Thaw the Ice
February 4–8, Hunenberg, Switzerland
Seasonal Memoir #55
It’s hardly worthy of acclaim, and it’s a bit silly to even be writing about this, but I took on a 21-day challenge of temperance. I’m not much of a drinker, but I do notice, especially when on holiday, that I have a habit of having a drink (and sometimes a second) during the week, and then a little extra on either of the weekend nights. The imbibing is not to manage pain, or to numb any melancholia, but rather, I just enjoy the taste and the effect. I’m hardly alone on this one, am I? As with all habits, it’s not any particular session that’s the problem, but rather the cumulative effect on my sleep, waistline, and whatever else may be going on at the cellular level by taking in regular doses of toxins. It has me thinking about the long-play.
It may seem a bit odd to be writing about a topic like this, but this seasonal memoir is my intention to capture my thoughts over the course of a year, and this is what is on my mind.
I have noticed a pattern-within-the-habit as well. In late afternoon to early evening, the pull arrives; this is the anticipation of the positive sensations of a drink. And the first drink (and often the second) is indeed pleasant, and sometimes liberating. But then comes the decision: that moment when you can choose to just vibe, let the feeling fade, and go to bed without any noticeable issues the next day. Or … you have one more, and you go to a different place.
Thankfully, I’m a drinking lightweight. I simply don’t like the feeling of intoxication or the loss of control that comes with drinking too much, and I rue the act the next morning when I’m noticeably tired from poor sleep. But that’s not all of it. The last two phases are the eating and the retreating. The former involves snacking, usually on peanut butter, chips, or whatever. The latter manifests plugging into my laptop and watching recorded live concerts (my favorites being Metallica 2019, The Pixies 1991, Bob Marley 1977, Yo Yo Ma 2015, and Mandolin Orange 2019). Neither actions are particularly healthy endeavors.
Coming back to Switzerland from the winter break gave me a nice starting point for my temperance experiment. I knew the first day or two would be pretty straightforward, but I was genuinely curious about how it would play out. It turned out much easier than I had thought it would be! I realized that once a streak starts, there’s momentum on your side to keep it going. There were times when the pull was noticeable, especially on the weekends, but when I reflected on the source of it, it usually just came from past habitual behavior (autopilot), and sometimes boredom.
There was no epiphany, but the positive effects were indeed noticeable: good sleep and good energy in the morning, and easier to eat mindfully. I also seemed to feel a greater clarity of thought (surely it was related). I can’t say that I was rejuvenated with a new me, but I just felt in a better place, like an equilibrium was achieved.
Predictably, I celebrated after the three weeks with a drink and a sunset view, and it left me feeling that a teetotaler’s life would be perfectly fine. (But I’m not there yet!)
