I gave it up!

I gave it up and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. It had to happen, to be honest, I’d outgrown it. There were times when I thought it was still the best thing for more. The comfort of it, the well-known familiarity of what I’ve always known. But it wasn’t good for me anymore.

It wasn’t the wine, it was me.

And no, I didn’t give it up entirely. I gave up drinking cheap wine sourced from the bottle shop drive-thru. It happened all of a sudden one day; I’d decided enough was enough and I was done. The cheap wine gave me hangovers and smelt kind of funny. It required ice to be palatable. Something you can get away with in Queensland but is still a little uni-student for my grown up liking.

I just gave it up. I replaced it with a more maturely priced bottle. Something that perhaps I wouldn’t find as easy to justify on those weeknights when things were just not going my way. Real, grown-up wine for my grown-up, thirty-five-year-old ass. I’ve moved on. My work here, and it was extensive, is done.

I choose good things for myself.

Nice things. Things that don’t taste like ass and ruin me that just happen to be cheap. Cheap and cheerful I used to call them. But apparently after all these years not so cheerful anymore. I just decided I wanted better for myself. Not because I think there’s anything wrong with that cheap wine I used to love. Nope, I’m just moving on. The next stage of my life awaits.

Right? Haha.

Suger

May 30, 2018

Personal

11 responses to “I gave it up!”

sammie@theannoyedthyroid.com

May 31, 2018 at 12:21 am

I agree. I like to buy the best I can afford because I know I’m worth it :)

Reply
1. Suger {Melissa Walker Horn}
  
  May 31, 2018 at 9:04 am
  
  Absolutely worth it. It feels like this kind of thing (buying cheap) is a real money block for me. So, I’m going to count it as progress. ;)
  
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Kate Ando

May 31, 2018 at 1:45 pm

I think you just need to find a cheaper bottle you really like. My fave is Houghton Classic White, normally around $12 but I never pay more than $10 as I can usually get it on special. I do love some $20 a bottle wine but for me that would be a special occasion wine, not just your weekend wine. All depends on your budget and tastes.

And hey, I love putting ice in my wine. pretty sure a real housewife did it on the show so it’s back in fashion!

Reply
1. Suger {Melissa Walker Horn}
  
  May 31, 2018 at 6:38 pm
  
  I love all the wines. Haha. Ice or no ice I’ve always been one to stick to what I LIKE and ENJOY, I’ll never stop doing that. It’s nice to be in a place where if I want to spend more, I can. And being okay with that, shifting my thinking. That’s more what I mean.
  
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Jo Tracey

May 31, 2018 at 5:36 pm

When we were in France the other week it really opened my mind to the way that we (ok, I) drink vs how French women drink. My expat friend who we were staying with was a big one for putting ice in the wine, but I can’t do that – not to good wine…only to wine I’m not so keen on. I like the idea of buying the best quality and having less – do I do that? No, but you’ve inspired me to perhaps consider trying (do you like how definite I am?)

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1. Suger {Melissa Walker Horn}
  
  May 31, 2018 at 6:45 pm
  
  Yeah, there’s 100% some wines that shouldn’t have ice, for sure. Not any that I was drinking though, let’s face it. Haha. I like the idea of enjoying less more. That’s my aim. And to really acknowledge that I’m in a different phase of my life and business is good, treat yoself. You know?
  
  Reply
  1. Jo Tracey
    
    May 31, 2018 at 6:51 pm
    
    yeah, I know… :)
sydneyshopgirl

June 2, 2018 at 1:29 pm

Hear, hear! I choose good things for myself too.

I’m really enjoying your daily blog post series, Melissa. So much territory covered.

SSG xxx

Reply
1. Suger {Melissa Walker Horn}
  
  June 2, 2018 at 8:27 pm
  
  And so we should! Go us.
  
  Thank you! I’ve been enjoying it too. Finding something every day that I want to write about, something to say, it’s been fun! I’m enjoying it and I’m glad you are too. xo
  
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NormalNess

June 5, 2018 at 10:53 am

I remember some annoying person I used to work with saying something about the bottles of wine for a Christmas party had to be over $x otherwise they’d be awful. And then I remembered bottles of wine I’d been gifted that tasted like balls. So yeah, I like my $4 cleanskin cab merlot. But as one podcast I listen to says, taste is subjective, so if you like it, it’s a good wine.

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1. Suger {Melissa Walker Horn}
  
  June 5, 2018 at 11:16 am
  
  I think anyone who determines a price minimum for ‘good wine’ is a bit of a tosser. Haha. And yeah, I’ve found bottles of all prices that are both good and bad. This is about me not buying what I want or like (more) because I was not wanting to spend money I more than comfortably have. It’s about having nice things!
  
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