Straight Edge Life

“Hi i was wondering if you could help me out by telling me about the Str8 edge life style i have been contemplating going str8 edge for a while and i am finally secure enuf in my life to do so , maybe you could tell me what made you do it in the first place…..”

This came to me earlier today. I thought it might be good to post it up here because this isn’t the first time I’ve answered similar questions.

The straight edge lifestyle is loosely defined as abstinence from drugs, alcohol or promiscuous sex. It has been, but is not necessarily tied to, the hardcore music scene as that was it’s origin. Minor Threat had a very short song about it that sort of started the movement. It has also been tied to the ska music scene, the vegan scene and mistakenly (in my opinion) with sharps and skinheads at times as well. It seems that many groups who associate themselves with upright living, or political activism, or environmentalism have tagged themselves as straight edge at one time or another. The only thread common to all is the no drugs, drinking or promiscuous sex.

So, if you’re going to consider being straight edge I would recommend considering the benefits that will come to you life as a result of not smoking, drinking, or having promiscuous sex above everything else. If you need a label for yourself as straight-edge, or you need to prove something to yourself politically or socially, or mentally by doing this, well, those are fine reasons, but they don’t necessarily have anything to do directly with living the straight edge life. And in these cases living the straight-edge life probably won’t bring you what you really need.

One wonderful advantage of the straight-edge life is that it’s honest. It’s a statement of honesty. When you don’t drink, smoke, do drugs or have promiscuous sex you are denied the dishonesty of escape. I mean, there are plenty of ways to escape your problems… but when you’re living a straight edge life you’re escapes are generally more likely to be useful than harmful. In my case I chose to climb stone rather than get stoned. And I learned a hell of a lot about how to handle my problems by climbing stone. It was an honest way for me to really deal with my problems. And bringing something definitively honest into your life is a good thing to do. It’s a good habit to start.

Another thing that’s good about it is the obvious health benefits. Drugs, cigarettes and alcohol are poisons, and removing them from your body is going to reduce the stress on your physical system.

The only bitch about going straight edge is the odd social crap that arises from people who are too insecure not to see it as a threat to their social framework. Many people need substances to make social interaction possible at all, let alone fun. Be ready to accept that many people simply won’t feel comfortable with your choice. And normally I’d say screw ‘em, if they can’t accept it, they aren’t worth your time. But drinking at a minimum is a HUGE part of many cultures. And I guarantee that this includes some people in your immediate family and many close friends. I’m sure you are open-minded enough to accept their choice to continue drinking, don’t expect that they will accept your choice not to. Your social sphere may shrink. And if you are like me, this might cause a bit of resentment and a movement towards a more radical straight edge stance.

I’m not going to lie. It’s a tough life at times. At times lonely, always demanding. You have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide from your troubles. You have to face them… Even boredom is unescapable. It must be overcome with strength. Being straight edge forces good choices and demands creativity. There is no easy way out once you have made the choice to live a straight edge life. No hiding places, and very little room for ambiguity. But, in finality, it’s one of the most satisfying choices I’ve never made.

Taking on a straight edge life is definitely a statement. And a beautiful one at that. But it’s a process as well, and it’s going to change you. If you need that, if you need a change, do it. You won’t be disappointed with or ashamed of who you are when you are straight edge. And for many people, I think that’s just what the doctor ordered.

Oh, and by the way… I chose the straight edge life in high school after witnessing a number of friends royally mess up their lives in a very short period of time. It goes deeper than that, but that’s where it started. I just knew that life was more precious to me than that. With all it’s ups and downs, it has always been precious to me.