Where Do We Draw the Line With Alcohol Propaganda?
Chrissie Zavicar
Co-Founder of Stack Brands. Co-Creator of Lions Nation Unite. Executive with Team 84 LLC. Brand strategist, content creator, storyteller.
I was doing my grocery shopping and this bag caught my eye.
"Wine is basically fruit salad."
Sigh.
This is a joke that would have CRACKED ME UP during my drinking days. Hell, I probably would have bought multiple bags (and put multiple bottles of wine in said bags).
Today? I think twice.
I don't get angry when I see rhetoric like this, it just gives me pause.
Do you know how much I loved comments like this while I was drinking? It fueled my argument that I was just like everyone else. That it was all fun and games. That drinking is a normal part of life that everyone engages in.
"I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food."
"So who is this 'Moderation' everyone tells me to drink with?"
"I only drink wine on days that end with a 'y.'"
"Wine is the answer, but I can't remember the question."
"Motherhood. Powered by love. Fueled by coffee. Sustained by wine."
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"Mom status: Currently holding it all together with alcohol."
Reading these quotes actually make drinking sound appealing right now. They do! They bring up a craving. That medicinal quality of wine -- control, romanticism, and culture. When I was drinking wine, it was all going to be okay.
As I wrote in an earlier newsletter, "Whether I was sitting alone in my apartment or at a bar with colleagues, drinking made me feel alive. It gave my life meaning and purpose."
Alcohol -- wine, beer, liquor -- is deceptive as hell. For some reason, it empowers the drinker to feel in control while the reality is the complete opposite.
So here's my question: what -- if anything -- is wrong with this drinking rhetoric we've adopted in our culture?
My take:
At the same time, I look at it and often just shrug. It is what it is, right?
So I ask you: is it serious enough to do something about it?
Tell me what you think.
About First and Sober
First and Sober is about living life with presence. For some, that means first getting free from the hold alcohol has on their lives. For all, it means getting real about living each day wide awake and on purpose. If you believe you have a problem with alcohol you can't overcome on your own,?please reach out for help.
Founder | Creating a Positive Ripple in the World | Principal Consultant at HRAnswers.org | Equity Advocate | Speaker | Certified Workshop Facilitator | Kolbe 8-4-4-4 | Award-Winning HR Pro - HRUnite!
2 年Excellent points. I always look forward to your newsletter. My thoughts/take-aways: As compassionate leaders, friends and family members, we need to ensure we are not playing to the rhetoric or normalizing something (memes/jokes, etc.) that is harming those around us (or ourselves). As the daughter of an alcoholic (my dad has now been sober for 43 years), I've had a very interesting relationship with alcohol. I attended al-anon (teen meeting) as an older middle-schooler to learn more, and I believe that set me up for a cautious, careful, always-analyzed relationship with alcohol myself.
I coach leaders who want to grow their business without losing themselves in the process. With 365-Degree Coaching, we connect the dots between business, mindset, and life. #coach #keynote
2 年Do you and Derek Mehraban know each other? I assume you do...but would be remiss if I didn't ask since you're both on a similar mission.
Sr. Full Cycle Recruiter; Air Force Veteran
2 年I don't disagree with any of your points. But, as you mentioned, it is such an ingrained piece of society. Outside of that--it's also big business. It's tough to say we're going to make systematic changes to alcohol--when we really haven't made real changes about weapons in the country.