Straight-Edge Stigma

If you didn’t know, you do now. I’ve been straight-edge now for officially 15 years. Straight-edge in case you’ve been living in a cave for the past two decades is when an individual (usually associated with the hardcore-punk scene) takes a personal vow to remain drug-free. That means no drinking, no smoking, and no drugs of any kind. Some people go as far as to include caffeine and sex in the equation but who am I kidding I like some dick and I love me some Diet Coke with Lime. Allow these vices.
Now I am NOT preachy; I don’t go around chastising people on the streets because they are having a glass of wine or shooting up next to me in the theatre. It’s a personal choice I made a long time ago and I’m sticking to it… for me!
The superiority complex I have because of growing up in the hardcore scene and with straight-edge kids does however dip in and out of my now 31 year old psyche on occasion. There are certain things I don’t like to do because of being straight-edge. Let’s give the example of going into a liquor store. It’s weird to me that there is a store for altering a persons being and for encouraging alcoholism. Jon and I went into one last weekend to get Amaretto for a dessert recipe (that would be cooked off) and I wanted to sit in the car because I just felt so awkward about going in. Rationale told me to get. out. of. the. car. you’re being stupid, but there was that moment of hesitation because I didn’t want to be in a liquor store. I acknowledge that it’s not normal and that no one is judging me because I am going into a liquor store. No one is going to take away my membership card! But, there is something that makes me feel somewhat better than that and I want people to know I’m not going in to by alcohol.
I’m sure anyone reading this is instantly thinking: “Hi Judgmental Much?” I guess I am, it’s just that I am proud of being Straight-Edge and Vegetarian for 15 years (formerly vegan for 7) and the attention whore in me wants everyone to know it. I need therapy.