Since I quit drinking and started attending social gatherings again, my mind has become crystal clear. The biggest change is that I can now quickly identify who truly has substance and who is just a hollow shell.
Back when I was an alcoholic, all I could see were brands—there was LV, there was Tiffany. I was easily drawn to people who wore ‘bling bling’ because I judged their value by those labels. But since I quit drinking, the biggest change is that I now focus more on the person and the topic, allowing for much deeper conversations.
I used to chase brands to feel worthy. Now, I’m drawn to that effortless, low-key confidence common in Silicon Valley—the kind where you’re comfortable in your own skin without needing a single logo.
