10.02.25
Tonight I had two new firsts. I went to a completely sober bar, and I tried kava.
The bar itself was such a nice surprise. It had a mellow and friendly vibe, the kind of place where people could actually talk and relax. There were couches and chairs for lounging if you didn’t want to sit at the bar, signs for trivia nights, a stage for entertainment, even people playing cards. I could definitely see myself going back—just being there felt good, like a space I could settle into without worry.
Kava was an experience. The taste? Honestly like dishwater. The effects? Harder to pin down. It physically numbed my tongue and lips, and it gave me a calm, slightly numbed feeling that reminded me just a little too much of alcohol. I liked it, but I’m wary. There’s something about it that feels like it could tip into a slippery slope for me if I wasn’t careful.
The important thing, though, is that I noticed that reaction in myself. I didn’t just go along with it or ignore what my body and brain were telling me. That awareness is progress—it shows I’m not chasing numbing anymore, I’m protecting my sobriety.
Even if I decide kava isn’t for me, tonight was still a win. I found a new sober-friendly place to hang out, and that feels exciting. It’s proof that there are spaces for me out in the world where I can show up fully as myself—no alcohol required.
Leave a Reply