I didn’t mention this before, but I am rather pleased with myself for having given up alcohol for the whole of January. I don’t want you to think I’ve been craving a drink or anything like that, but I decided it would be good for me after all the alcohol you tend to consume over Christmas.

The interesting thing I learnt was that the most difficult thing was nothing at all to do with the actual drink. The hardest part of the exercise was dealing with other people. To start with, people question your reasons. A test of willpower became my default answer. Then there was their behaviour when I was around. It seems that having a wholly sober person in the room while you drink can be very difficult or unnerving for some people. I had no idea people would react in that way – perhaps it made people face up to the amount they were drinking.

I also found some social situations very difficult because, deep down, I am quite shy. Drink is certainly a social lubricant, and without it, some situations can be a little awkward. By the end of the month, I was definitely feeling better about meeting people in pubs and at parties without drinking, but it wasn’t easy. It’s also not easy to be in those situations and find an alternative. London pubs do not have the best selection. After an evening drinking colas and orange/lemonade drinks, your stomach feels worse than it would have done on double the beers. My top tip is to drink Virgin Marys.

As to my health, I honestly don’t feel any better or any worse for the lack of drink. I guess it proves I never really overdid it anyway, but I expected something to change.

I imagine that I will have a beer tomorrow.

On this day…

• 2005: On Microsoft And Windows Digital Media
• 2004: Janet’s Malfunction
• 2004: Colourful Pages
• 2003: Online Advertising Technology Issues
• 2003: An Email From Space