A few years ago, I thought that I needed to drink to be social. I mean, I was good socially when I was sober but it seemed like it was easier, the conversations flowed better when I had drinks in me. Not too many drinks, just a few to loosen up.

With a few drinks in me, the conversation just flowed and I was able to be funny and interesting. When I didn’t drink, it just seemed like a lot of work to be interesting. Funny thing is that the next day I could never remember what I said.

Well, one day I tried an experiment. I tried to not drink at all. It was tough. I had to work really hard to be a good conversationalist. But I kept trying to be good socially without drinking and I got to the point where I was just as good completely sober as I was when I was drinking.

And you know what? Now, when I drink I find I have to work harder to be good socially. I’m much better now when I’m completely sober. And the most amazing thing is this – even though I’m not drinking a drop of alcohol I still can’t remember what I talk about the next day, just like when I was drinking.

It had nothing to do with alcohol. So there is a conversational “state” that I get into that has nothing to do with alcohol. It used to be when I was drinking, now it’s when I’m sober. It’s much better now that I’m not drinking though. I encourage other people to do the same type of experimentation.