Ramdom thoughts, looking back at the "spell"

After decades of being a high functioning alcoholic, I decided to get sober 5 years ago, during the 2019-2020 holiday.

At some point, around year 2023 the planets aligned and my mind finally clicked- my "thirst" subdued and I ceased to see any point in drinking.

I have very ocasionally /rarely drank a glass of wine or a drink during this last year- and can say thankfully- the pull, the thought of continuing drinking passes fleetingly and have not had to struggle- like I did before.

That's my background.

The point of this post is that I am on a short vacation, in the most beautiful place on earth, just enjoying the ocean, the views, nature, hiking, just living...and we passed thru this bar, and I am fully aware that my past self main goal would have been to get drunk. Thats it. Nothing else.

And am furious and thinking when and why where we fed this illusion ? That you have to be drunk to "enjoy life" or that being constantly drunk or with a drink in your hand is a status symbol? I feel like I spent two full decades under a "spell" and am glad its over- but also upset it happened to me and its happening to so many...