Beyond the Beers: What Happens Next?

Last week we ripped the top off the drinking culture in the sheds — and holy hell did it pop off. The response was bloody huge. And not ‘cos it was some flash bit of writing — it’s because it’s true. It’s the reality a lot of us are living, and way too many are quietly battling through.

So here’s the next part of the yarn.

Let’s talk about what actually goes wrong when you’re on the piss.

When Beers Become Bullshit

We all know the good side. The cold one after a hard slog. The laughs. The wind-down. That bit’s almost crucial, but is not the issue.

It’s when the good turns to grim — and you know exactly what I’m talking about.

💥 Crashed cars

Too many of us have a mate (or are the mate) who’s rolled a ute after a few quiets.Some don’t walk away. Some lose their license. Some lose their job.You think you’re all good? One moment of cockiness behind the wheel can fuck your life up in a heartbeat.

🤬 Punch-ups

The piss makes your fuse shorter than a sheep’s patience on a hot Nor’wester. Next minute, you’re throwing hands in the quarters or mouthing off to the wrong person in town. That shit sticks. Reputations don’t bounce back like bruises do.

🛏️ Waking up in the wrong bed

Let’s be honest — alcohol kills judgment. Good people make dumb decisions they’d never make sober. That can lead to broken relationships, lost trust, and some seriously awkward mornings. For what? A blurry night you half regret already?

👨‍👩‍👧 Family on the back burner

When the beers are calling every night, your kids get what’s left of you. Not the sharp, fun, interested version — the grumpy, tired, hungover one. Your partner’s doing all the mahi at home while you’re on your 4th Cody’s. That ain’t fair, and deep down, you know it.

This is only some of the shit that goes on during an alcohol fueled bender (or season). About 3 weeks into a season, you know who is going to stick it out as they started. Believe it or not, it's not the ones pissing up and acting the goat every night.

Sound familiar? Read on....

So…....... What Now?

We’re not saying ban the beers. Not even close. This isn’t some anti-alcohol preach session.

But we do need to change how piss is seen, used, and relied on in our industry. Because right now? It’s costing us more than a round at the pub.

Let’s shift the culture — not kill the fun.

Ways Forward — Time to Rethink the “Play Hard” Bit

Here’s some straight-up alternatives to getting smashed every night:

🏃‍♂️ Get fit

We’re not talking CrossFit wanker status. Just move your body. Get some lungs on ya. Run. Walk. Do some push-ups by the ute.Hell — KLT, stretch bands, bodyweight training. Anything. It makes the job easier. Makes your head clearer. And keeps you in the game longer.

🎯 Hunt. Fish. Camp.

Get out of the bloody pub and into the bush. Chase a deer. Sit by a river. Light a fire.It’s good for the soul. And it won’t leave you broke or hungover.

🧠 Look after your head

If you’ve got shit rattling around in there — talk to someone. A mate. Your partner. Or a pro. It’s not weak. It’s smart. And it might just stop you doing something you regret.

🍳 Feed the crew

Chuck a BBQ on instead of a piss-up. Invite the farmer. Cook a big bastard of a feed. Talk. Laugh. You’ll remember it the next day — and so will they.

🎨 Out of the box stuff

• Start a crew darts night with a scoreboard

• Do a bloody art class (yeah, I said it🤣)

• Build shit from scrap

• Take the van out for hot pools and a burger night

• Play cards, have a fire pit, or do a shearing movie night

Get thinking, there's a heap of "other" shit out there to do! It’s not about being boring. It’s about being better — for your wallet, your body, your family, your job, your future.

🧍‍♂️ Look After Number One — That’s You

At the end of the day, no one’s gonna carry you through life. You’ve gotta look after number one — and that means putting yourself first sometimes. Not in a selfish way — in a smart way.

Turning up to work seedy, dehydrated, foggy in the head and dragging your arse through the day ain’t the flex you think it is. That’s not hard — that’s just hard work, for you and everyone around you. There’s a better way.

✅ Get fit — you’ll move better, recover faster, and handle the long weeks without falling to bits halfway through.

✅ Get sharp — mentally and physically. You’ll see things coming, be less reactive, and handle pressure without boiling over.

✅ Get real — about the damage alcohol’s doing to your body.

🧠 Alcohol Abuse is a Health Time Bomb

You might feel bulletproof now — but the long-term toll of heavy drinking is no joke:

• Liver damage (yep, even in your 30s)

• Gut problems, constant inflammation

• Poor sleep and slower recovery

• Increased anxiety and depression

• Fertility issues and hormone crashes

• Weak immune system (which is shithouse mid-run when you’re sick as a dog)

And that’s before you chuck in the mental load, the regrets, and the tension it puts on your family or relationship.

🚀 The Benefits of Being Sober(ish), Fit, and On Form

• You wake up fresh. Simple as that.

• You work faster, sharper, and smarter — with fewer injuries.

• You eat better, sleep better, and enjoy life more.

• You start getting ahead — not stuck in survival mode.

And here’s the kicker — your crew will notice. They’ll feed off it. You don’t need to be the loudest voice in the van. Just be the one who shows up sorted.

Being sober, fit and focused doesn’t mean boring. It means you’ve got your shit together — and that’s a bloody good way to be.

Final Word — Let’s Keep It Real

You can still have a beer. You can still let loose now and then. But the daily benders, the dust-ups, the fights, the fuck-ups — it’s time we called time on all that shit.

We’re professionals. We’re bloody good at what we do. And we deserve a culture that backs us, not one that drags us under.

So let’s keep talking. Keep shifting. Keep showing the next generation that this industry can be sharp, strong, and still full of laughs — without the carnage.

🧶 Got your own yarn to share? Chuck it in here, anonymous if you want:👉 https://www.thesharingshed.blog/share-your-yarn

➡️ This is your shed too. And the change starts with us.