Navigating the silly season: Fake it, blend in or flip the script?

December is almost here which means a calendar full of Christmas parties, office celebrations, long lunches, and more “just have one” moments than anyone actually asked for.

If you’re cutting back, taking a break, or simply trying to drink a little more mindfully, this time of year can feel like a social pressure cooker. How do you join in without feeling awkward, judged, or like you owe everyone an explanation?

From my own experience, there are a few ways to make it through and each works at different times.

When I first started rethinking my drinking, I leaned hard on the “fake it till you make it” approach. Sometimes I’d accept a top-up and just… not drink it. Other times I’d go the old apple-juice-in-a-wine-glass route or grab a non-alcoholic beer so it looked like I was drinking.

It wasn’t deception it was self-preservation. A small shield that made social moments less intense and bought me space to figure out what I actually wanted.

But eventually, another option opened up: showing up exactly as I am.

Recently, at an event, a waiter was making the rounds with champagne. When I said, “No thanks,” he looked genuinely baffled maybe even a little offended.
“But it’s MOËT,” he insisted, as if declining it violated the laws of physics. (Look, Moët was never my favourite… overrated IMO.)

Reactions like this are normal. People get awkward. They project. They joke. And yes — it can feel uncomfortable, especially if you’ve been a “yes” person in the past.

But here’s what surprised me: when I said no and still had fun, it cracked something open.
I stayed longer. I danced harder. I actually talked to people. And somewhere along the way, I chipped away at the myth in my own head that alcohol = connection.

It didn’t happen overnight. It took practice. But now? I actually enjoy flipping that script.

So as the silly season kicks off, remember this:
There’s no one right way to navigate it.

Some nights, blending in with a NA drink or a half-full glass makes everything easier.
Other nights, you might feel ready to show up as you are no explanations, no performance, no pressure.

Both choices are valid. Both count. Both are wins.

Because this season isn’t about whether you fake it, blend in, or flip the script.
It’s about finding what helps you enjoy the moment and waking up the next day feeling good about how you handled it (preferably with a clear head and zero regrets).