To The Girl Who Thinks Less of Herself Because She Chooses Not to Drink,
First of all, I see you struggling and I want you to know that I am there with you.
It's like having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. To drink, or not to drink? Ultimately, you choose not to or simply to stay in altogether. You hear the typical complaints and criticisms from your friends: "You're such a grandma," "I mean that's up to you, but we're gonna go out anyway," and the age-old "Why not? You're in college, you need to have some fun!"
It sucks, doesn't it? It sucks staying in when your friends are going out. It sucks when people look down on you and think you're a stuffy grandmother who doesn't know how to have fun. But guess what? At the end of the day, it's none of their business what you do or don't choose to do. If you don't want to drink, don't give into the desires of others and do something that's not "you." I know it may seem hard to resist the temptation, but you're not alone. Myself, along with many, many other girls in the world, choose not to drink in college.
And guess what? That's OK. I know college may make it seem like it's not OK, but trust me, it is. Choosing not to get completely blackout drunk at a party doesn't make you lame, it makes you mature. You're secure in your personal decisions and you know that you can find other ways to have a fun night. So when that temptation to drink because your friends are, or you think it'll make you fit in more comes up, just know that you are not alone.
There are so many young girls out there who are feeling less about themselves, or even guilty because they're choosing not to drink. And that's not ok. You are so much more than what other kids think of you and your personal decisions. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God says so! You should be proud of that.
The next time you get criticized by someone for not going out or drinking, just remember that you are not alone with your feelings, and you are not a lame person! Go out and stand up for your beliefs and personal decisions; people will have a lot of respect for you.
With love,
A Fellow Student Going Through the Same Issue
