Okay, so people sometimes ask me about this whole straight edge thing. It wasn’t like some big revelation, you know? More like a slow burn, a realization over time.
I remember being younger, going through the motions. Parties, gigs, hanging out. Everyone seemed to be drinking or smoking something. Felt like you had to, just to fit in or whatever. Did it for a while. Honestly? It mostly just left me feeling foggy, broke, and kinda disconnected from myself the next day. Wasted a lot of time recovering or just feeling generally crappy.
Finding Something Else
Then I started noticing… well, noticing things. Saw some folks who just weren’t participating in that stuff. They seemed more present, more focused. Started reading zines, listening to certain bands more closely. Heard the term ‘straight edge’. At first, I thought it was kinda weird, maybe extreme.
But the idea stuck with me. The idea of just… not needing that stuff. Of having clarity. It wasn’t about judging anyone else, not for me anyway. It was about figuring out what I wanted. I got tired of the haze. Tired of the pressure, even if it was unspoken.
So, I just stopped. One day, decided I wasn’t going to drink at the next show. Then decided I wasn’t going to smoke anymore. Cold turkey, pretty much. It was awkward at first, definitely.
- People offering you drinks all the time.
- Having to explain yourself, or just saying “No thanks” over and over.
- Feeling like the odd one out sometimes.
That was the hardest part, probably. The social side. You realize how much casual socializing revolves around alcohol or whatever. Had to find new ways to connect, or just be comfortable being the sober guy in the room.
Found some others eventually who felt the same. Not like some formal ‘society’ with rules, more like finding your people who get it. We’d go to shows, hang out, talk about music, politics, whatever – just without the booze or drugs as the centerpiece. It felt… cleaner. More real.
Been doing this for years now. Don’t really think about it much day-to-day. It’s just how I live. Still go to pubs, still go to gigs. Just order a soda or water. Some people still look at you funny, but whatever. Their problem, not mine.
For me, it was about taking back control. Making a conscious choice instead of just drifting along. It’s not for everyone, I get that. But it worked for me. Gave me more focus, more energy, and honestly, saved me a bunch of money too. Just feels right, you know?
