Busting Weekend Boredom When Sober
Boredom and restlessness can be real obstacles to maintaining sobriety. This can be especially true on the weekend when getting wasted is no longer an option. While the new way of living can leave you feeling anxious about what to do now that you’re in recovery, we have some ideas for busting weekend boredom when sober.
Discover Who You Are
The sober you is a whole new person. It’s time to discover who you are now that you are not hiding behind your old vices. Is it a little scary? Sure. But it’s also exciting to spend time getting to know the real you. If you are in early recovery, starting a journal to explore your feelings of discomfort might be a good idea. It can also be a place to write down goals and uncover dreams from before your life went off the rails. Once you have a good sense of some of your short and long-term goals, you’re ready for the next step.
Try New Things
There is a whole world out there and plenty of activities to try. Are there specific steps to take to achieve some of those goals? The possibilities are endless. If you have always wanted to learn to cook a gourmet meal, for example, there is no time like the present. It’s easy to fill those empty hours by pursuing new interests; at least once you discover what those might be. Some ideas bust weekend boredom when sober include:
- Hitting the gym
- Going for a hike
- Taking classes
- Going to the movies
- Attending a concert
- Camping
Hang Out With Sober Friends
Your support circle is vital for maintaining sobriety, and that includes plenty of social time with friends and family who have your best interest at heart. Plan gatherings with sober friends and family. Most of the things you used to do with alcohol, you can also do sober - that includes dancing, eating, watching sports, and more. Sobriety is like a muscle that gets stronger the more you work it. Doing fun things with friends on the weekend, while sober, helps build that muscle.
Get Ok With Discomfort
It won’t be all sunshine and roses. You will get bored at some point. You will think about drinking. Without a substance to numb that discomfort, you have to come to terms with it. Talk to your sponsor and attend meetings to process your feelings. The program works when you work the program, and that’s never truer than when things are hard.
Busting weekend boredom when sober comes down to taking a chance and being brave enough to try new things. Getting sober is already the most courageous thing you can do, so deciding how to spend the weekend is doable. You’ve got this!