Ahhh this is so lovely. As an ex New Yorker and teetotaler for nearly 7 years.....I love your adventure. And such a great way of sharing. Happy to have come across your work. xx Mia
I’ve struggled with this question myself, it feels overwhelming. Thanks for sharing your story in this newsletter form! The artwork and the message are tremendous and inspiring.
Thank you so much. It IS an incredibly overwhelming, and honestly scary, question to confront. But I'm glad to know I'm not alone in wondering about it.
Also P.S. I bought (and finished!) "Good Talk." So good. Dancing-GIF-worthy good.
Brazenface. Am blown away!! You’re reaching new heights. Your artistry is breaking through to the other side fearlessly. Yes. The details in your illustrations accentuate the story so well. The metrocard, the subway station marker, your hat etc etc. add to a very interesting NYC/personal story. You’re on this full time and it shows. The growth, it’s there evident. Leaving your job was the best thing yet for you and this medium. Love it! Happy to be a subscriber :)
I loved reading this, Detective Tatiana! I stopped drinking in my mid-twenties (it was more for medical reasons), but I had a lot of the same fears as you - not being able to enjoy myself as much, people judging me. I guess I had an easy out (saying I can't drink because of my medication) but it actually started because of a bad reaction I'd had to some meds that messed with my brain a bit. I didn't want to choose to feel out of control.
It was actually easier than I thought, although it did get boring being out with people who were drunk once the hilarity wore off. It was interesting not being able to use it as a crutch, and to trust and rely on yourself in a different way.
Then, many years later after a particularly bad day, I went to a summertime bbq and paddling pool rooftop party and partook in flowing glasses of Pimms for the first time in a very long time and had a three day hangover. It really solidified for me how it just wasn't worth it. Although I do miss the taste of a good wine, and the happy drunken buzz, I'd rather not lose a day to feeling shitter than I need to.
Oh, PS, from a record-beating humid heatwave from hell with no AC in London, I can hard relate to the hell of summer. You have my sympathies.
Natasha! We are on the same page in so many ways. Ways that I would have never known. Thank you so much for sharing. Your story inspires me to not only keep this going, but remember what's on the other side: the hellish hangovers. Not worth it. Even if living without the crutch can be uncomfortable, it's also crazy liberating.
Sending you an ice-cold seltzer and hello to London.
Look at that — I would have never known you don't drink! This summer is really teaching me that drinking does not have to play a defining role in your life/enjoyment/etc. So into it. And glad we're on the same page :) Thanks for sharing!
Love it! My booze break will be 6 months next week. It comes with Big Feelings, but it’s so freeing to do things simply because I want to do them. And I agree: literally nobody cares.
Big Feelings. YES. That's exactly what it is. In the best, biggest way possible. I am so happy our paths crossed—as we navigate art and life without alcohol 💞
NYC really is incredible. That trip was also the first time I had ever seen snow. I was a few blocks away from Times Square when it started to snow, so I stood there, hands raised, looking up and smiling at what I only seen in movies. I'll never forget that.
Ahhh this is so lovely. As an ex New Yorker and teetotaler for nearly 7 years.....I love your adventure. And such a great way of sharing. Happy to have come across your work. xx Mia
I’ve struggled with this question myself, it feels overwhelming. Thanks for sharing your story in this newsletter form! The artwork and the message are tremendous and inspiring.
Thank you so much. It IS an incredibly overwhelming, and honestly scary, question to confront. But I'm glad to know I'm not alone in wondering about it.
Also P.S. I bought (and finished!) "Good Talk." So good. Dancing-GIF-worthy good.
Great! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Brazenface. Am blown away!! You’re reaching new heights. Your artistry is breaking through to the other side fearlessly. Yes. The details in your illustrations accentuate the story so well. The metrocard, the subway station marker, your hat etc etc. add to a very interesting NYC/personal story. You’re on this full time and it shows. The growth, it’s there evident. Leaving your job was the best thing yet for you and this medium. Love it! Happy to be a subscriber :)
How cow. Gracias gracias gracias! For noticing the deets. And calling them out!
Hey! And hooray for you! I look forward to reading more about your investigations into bravery.
Thanks so much! I'm happy to have you here :)
Lovely illustrations and you made me nostalgic for NYCs summers. Glad you are enjoying being back in the city w/out the booze.
Thank you, Maja! I hope you're having a lovely summer as well.
❤️! Sending it to some of my peeps!
Thank you so much!
I loved reading this, Detective Tatiana! I stopped drinking in my mid-twenties (it was more for medical reasons), but I had a lot of the same fears as you - not being able to enjoy myself as much, people judging me. I guess I had an easy out (saying I can't drink because of my medication) but it actually started because of a bad reaction I'd had to some meds that messed with my brain a bit. I didn't want to choose to feel out of control.
It was actually easier than I thought, although it did get boring being out with people who were drunk once the hilarity wore off. It was interesting not being able to use it as a crutch, and to trust and rely on yourself in a different way.
Then, many years later after a particularly bad day, I went to a summertime bbq and paddling pool rooftop party and partook in flowing glasses of Pimms for the first time in a very long time and had a three day hangover. It really solidified for me how it just wasn't worth it. Although I do miss the taste of a good wine, and the happy drunken buzz, I'd rather not lose a day to feeling shitter than I need to.
Oh, PS, from a record-beating humid heatwave from hell with no AC in London, I can hard relate to the hell of summer. You have my sympathies.
!!!!
Natasha! We are on the same page in so many ways. Ways that I would have never known. Thank you so much for sharing. Your story inspires me to not only keep this going, but remember what's on the other side: the hellish hangovers. Not worth it. Even if living without the crutch can be uncomfortable, it's also crazy liberating.
Sending you an ice-cold seltzer and hello to London.
I don‘t drink and I still love NY :) great post!
Look at that — I would have never known you don't drink! This summer is really teaching me that drinking does not have to play a defining role in your life/enjoyment/etc. So into it. And glad we're on the same page :) Thanks for sharing!
BRAVO!!!
<3 <3 <3 x 100!!
Tatiana!! I LOVED this. Happy to have a new friend who is also into mocktails. Cheers to taking on more non-alcoholic adventures!💗✨
Thank you so much! And right back at you. It's good to have other friends on this side.
Also... I'm still thinking about that non-alc prosecco we shared. need to invest in it haha.
Love it! My booze break will be 6 months next week. It comes with Big Feelings, but it’s so freeing to do things simply because I want to do them. And I agree: literally nobody cares.
Big Feelings. YES. That's exactly what it is. In the best, biggest way possible. I am so happy our paths crossed—as we navigate art and life without alcohol 💞
I’m excited to see and read an illustrated memoir from you. Glad you’re enjoying NYC. I was there once, in my early 20s and had a blast.
Israel, 😭 thank you so much. I can't wait to write/illustrate one : ) NYC is incredible — with and without booze.
NYC really is incredible. That trip was also the first time I had ever seen snow. I was a few blocks away from Times Square when it started to snow, so I stood there, hands raised, looking up and smiling at what I only seen in movies. I'll never forget that.
Bravo Darling! 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Thank you thank you thank you ❤️