Drink the old bottle. Don’t be a hero about it, but don’t panic. The expiration date is a suggestion for freshness, not a health hazard warning. It’s like the “use by” date on a bag of chips: mostly a suggestion for the anxious.
If the bottle is bloated like a pufferfish, or if it’s been sitting in direct sunlight for three summers, maybe give it a pass. Otherwise, crack it open. You’ll survive. And you’ll save yourself a trip to the store.
In the end, our fear of “expired water” is really just a reminder that we ignore our own stuff until it becomes a mystery. So next time you find a forgotten bottle, give it a cheerful nod. It’s been waiting for you. It’s fine. You’re fine. Now go hydrate.
