Booze, recruitment & me...

I've been lying to myself for the majority of my career.

I was telling myself complete untruths about booze's impact throughout my 20s and 30s.

The hangovers, the regret, the anxiousness, the version of me that I became, the nightmare choices, the deluded booze-fuelled decisions, the party I chased, the people I gave far too much attention to because they were part of the clique, the disastrous romances, the life-changing decisions I made whilst under the influence, the wild hedonistic behaviour, the whole absolute car crash.

How I am sat here right now, mental health, career, and general life intact, god only knows.

The post-covid career transformation changed a lot for me, but I decided to change my relationship with alcohol earlier this year.

Although 'I didn't have a problem', the two or three Christmas Cocktails I'd been treating myself to since mid-October as a reward for working hard on my business felt like they'd taken their toll – of course, they did, they each contained six shots! ????

The impact not drinking has had on me, well, that's the tricky bit to explain. I am still trying to find the words to describe this new state of consciousness I find myself in seven months later, with alcohol not showing up in my life as it did.

And no, I don't label myself sober. I don't drink.

It's not only changed my entire outlook and mindset on what it means to be happy, free, fulfilled and in control, but it's also forced me to visit my past and confront some pretty appalling behaviour. ?

Especially throughout my career as a recruiter.

And I cannot help but think, where would I be if I'd chosen a life without booze back then?

Slightly less embarrassed and much richer, for starters. ?

But seriously, my career would have benefited if 'I'd genuinely had my s*** together for two decades rather than just five years later in my life.

You see, drinking has been there since day one. It has been the friend I've celebrated the placements, the smashed targets, the new clients, the promotions, Christmas, Birthdays, summers, high achievers, milestone moments, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and of course, Friyaaaaayyyyyy's with.

It was just part of the deal and the lifestyle of a city recruiter, and we rewarded ourselves with a good time.

But was it?

It's so comfortable for me to reflect on those 'crazy' years as an absolute blast, part of growing up, living in the city of London, and living my best life.

But it's all lies to me - the reality was more like the 3rd paragraph in this blog.

During one of my darkest moments, I remember rocking up to lunch with an ex-colleague and ordering two double vodka diet cokes, it was midday on a Monday & it was totally normal to get smashed at lunchtime and to have a bottle of vodka, gin or Jack Daniels back at your desk.

My pal stared at me, slightly gobsmacked, suggesting a cup of tea could be a better idea.

That was also around the time I sacked off my flat, my job, all my mates and life in London for a romantic interest I'd not even spent a sober date with. That was an interesting vibe sitting on the sofa in my 'new home' with a complete stranger, dramatic but painfully true.

I mean, I could literally write a book of booze-soaked shame & regret, and I know I am not alone with a past littered with 'I did what!' moments.?

Although the blame lays entirely at my grown-up, big girl feet– I cannot help but feel that people throughout the recruitment industry are still f*****ng up their careers, relationships, friendships and lives as I type.

We've normalised drinking & other party vibe enhancers so much so that it has become our culture, a part of who we are, the fabric of our industry's personality, and I don't think many know who they as a business are without it.

But what if it wasn't? Where would we be?

Better mental health, more productive, more successful, more focused, more consistent, more reliable, less distracted, fewer HR issues, more money to spend on the stuff that matters & actually changes people's lives – I mean, imagine where you could redirect that ￡30K spent on the annual Christmas party for starters.?

And do we need to change? What's the incentive?

I mean, it's a resounding hell yes from me on that. The sober-curious movement is growing, and I've lost track of the number of my peers changing their drinking habits. I also find that more and more of the Gen Z'ers I train are either not drinking or being super conscious about the amount they drink.

And, of course, I couldn't write a blog as a Diversity & Inclusion practitioner without talking about DE&I and alcohol.

As an industry, we are slowly waking up to our responsibilities regarding inclusive, accessible and equitable recruitment. If we want to represent the candidates our clients expect us to pack into shortlists, we have to break the stereotype that a career in recruitment only suits a bunch of mid-25 Nikki-Beach party lovers...right?

We should be creating a sector where everyone is genuinely welcome, thrives and survives without having to have a drink in their hands.

So how do we change? Do we need to change, and WHAT do we replace the champagne bottle-shaped hole that a booze-free culture would leave?

The million-dollar question.

What do you think?