I'm Not Anti-Alcohol. I'm Anti-Autopilot.
It's Friday. 6pm.
I just closed my laptop.
Glass poured. Sip taken.
Three minutes into a drink I never actually chose.
That's the thing.
Most of the drinking I do, that anyone does, isn't a decision.
It's a default.
Not a contradiction. The whole point.
I sell alcohol-free drinks for a living.
I also had a glass of wine last weekend.
Does it happen often? No. But when it does, it's because I actually wanted it
That's not a contradiction.
That's the whole point.
People assume that because I run a non-alcoholic marketplace, I must be on a mission to get everyone to stop drinking.
I'm not.
I don't care if you drink.
As long as you actually decide to, every time.
The autopilot list
- The 5pm "I deserve this" pour after a long day.
- The second glass at dinner that didn't get poured, it just appeared.
- The party where someone hands you a drink before you've said hi.
- The layover beer between two flights.
- The wedding open bar logic ("it's free").
- The Sunday brunch mimosa because... brunch.
- The "one more" that became three.
None of those were choices.
They were reflexes.
That's what bothers me.
Not the alcohol.
The autopilot.
A reflex dressed up as a ritual
Notice how we talk about drinking.
Friday calls for it.
Stress calls for it.
Celebration calls for it.
Bad day calls for it.
Good day calls for it.
Promotion, breakup, vacation, mardi soir.
Every moment "calls for it."
That's not a relationship with alcohol.
That's a reflex dressed up as a ritual.
I wanted the choice back
That's why I built Upside.
Not because I wanted to quit.
Because I wanted to actually decide. Every time.
Some nights that decision is a glass of wine with dinner.
Some nights it's a non-alcoholic spritz and I'm in bed by 10.
The point isn't which one I picked.
The point is that I picked.
Final word
If you drink and you love it, drink. If you don't, don't. I'm not here to convert anyone.
But if you've ever finished a drink and realized you didn't even taste it, ask yourself who was actually driving.
That's the only question that matters.
I had to ask myself that question more times than I'd like to admit. Some nights the answer was honest. Some nights it wasn't. The point isn't to get it right every time. The point is to ask.
Most people never do.
I'm not anti-alcohol. I'm anti-autopilot.
SP.
I love reading these posts because they hit so close to home!
My health took a dive years ago and the wine I loved having, had to go. I found the wine options at grocers were high in sugar! So tea it was….and I love tea.
When celebrating…… tea or ginger ale get stale very fast. I knew there were nice beer options and one site offered a nice whisky option. I was pretty happy when I found your online store a few years ago and am a very happy customer. I have what I call my own “Barbie”…. A line up of my fav alcohol free liquor and low or no sugar wines that don’t taste like high sugar grape juice. I am having my sisters give it a try as I know they will enjoy it.
I wish you had a store front I could go to. Your Online site is great and we travel for work so am able to order and get delivered in different cities. Liquor stores do have some options that are better than grocers… but not by much. Perhaps will will have a store front to visit in our future!
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Upside Drinks replied:
It is wonderful to hear how you’ve curated your own personal collection to prioritize your health while keeping the celebration alive. We are so grateful for your loyalty and love that you’re sharing your favorite low-sugar finds with your sisters. We will certainly keep the possibility of a physical storefront in our future plans!
Bonjour je suis alcoolique et sobre depuis 2 ans 2 mois.
Votre texte me va droit au cœur et tout le monde devrait en prendre connaissance
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Upside Drinks replied:
Félicitations pour vos 2 ans et 2 mois de sobriété, c’est un accomplissement magnifique et une véritable inspiration. Merci infiniment pour vos mots touchants!
Hi SP!
What a great message. It’s like you pulled the thoughts right out of my head. Ones like: it’s cottage time; it’s six o’clock somewhere in the world, I earned this; but it liked me more than I liked IT! I quit in January 19th this year. I actually thought I would really miss it. I don’t, haven’t even thought about it until I saw your site and ads online. I may try some of the new non-alcoholic offerings; I’d like to find a good Pinot Grigio. If and when I’m at the cottage or the outdoor bbq’s this summer I’d like to be a part of it without the alcohol. I hope more restaurants will offer options too.
Best,
Carole
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Upside Drinks replied:
Hi Carole! Huge congratulations on your journey since January; it’s amazing how much lighter life feels when you finally find options that let you stay part of the party.
For that cottage stay or bbq, I highly recommend trying the Giesen 0% Pinot Grigio for something crisp or the Edenvale Pinot Grigio if you want a classic, refreshing finish!
I thank you for those words above I am almost 70 yrs old and have been w friends who would drink until they did not know who they where I myself am not bragging but I have never had a beer or alcohol I saw you our adversitement scrolling on u tube one evening an that’s when I ordered a 4 pack of the Georgia peach tea an the iced tea. I like them both I realize it’s a little expenses because of it coming from cananda might order again later ps I really like the old Chevy truck on the cans One question could you do a straight lemonade thanks again
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Upside Drinks replied:
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story; it is truly an honor that you’ve chosen these teas to enjoy after 70 years of staying true to yourself. We love your idea for a straight lemonade to match that classic Chevy truck and will be sure to pass that suggestion along to the brand!
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