In this paper, using various sociological concepts and the sociological imagination as a conceptual framework, I explore avoidance as both a personal trouble as well as a public issue. As one of my close high-school friends passed away due to a drinking and driving incident, I started to examine some of his, my, and my friends’ reactions to the problem of drunken driving. I questioned many things and ultimately questioned myself about why I took the same approach they took toward the public issue. Avoidance of problems and situations that involve unwanted emotions was a personal problem that not only I had but also does society as well. I realized this when I started to take a closer look at society and myself together using a sociological imagination. We are all part of society and society is a part of us. Being sociologically mindful is something we can all do and should do to help ourselves and broader society.