Im Bored .. And Drinking Gives Me Something To Do.
I’ve included this separate from hobbies because I don’t believe that journaling is a hobby. Start with going for walks for minutes every day. Pursue outdoor activities like kayaking or fishing. That is the activity I’ve buried my energy into since quitting. But also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved in activities around your community.
Beating Boredom Without Alcohol

And while these things might sound serious and scary, it’s important to note that it’s one piece of a larger puzzle. Recovery and sobriety are often complicated. It’s not as simple as “getting out there” and “trying something new.” It’s hard to do that when you suffer from extreme depression and anhedonia. The very things you should be doing to feel better require a level of motivation you might not be able to fathom. Once I realized that I had to rediscover what drunk and bored fun meant to me.
These are the kind of people who are hiding in plain sight, who you’ve never noticed before. But they are smart and interesting, and do activities that aren’t centered around alcohol. There is a quiet time between drinking and your life after drinking. You sleep a lot and you feel a little down your body and your mind and your emotions are adjusting to life without alcohol. But it will lift little by little and new interests and joy will come into the picture. One of the first things many people notice when they reduce their alcohol intake is a real uplift in their physical health.
Will You Be Bored Without Alcohol?

If you’re an introvert like me, spending a couple of hours alone can help recharge and reset you on the path towards your goals. If you’re not feeling date night, bake yourself a loaf of bread. There’s nothing more satisfying than hand-kneading a gooey dough, smelling the yeast as it rises, and eating a slice of bread you made from scratch. Plan a date night around cooking a new dish together. It can be as elaborate as you’d like — just put on your favorite playlist and enjoy doing something tactile with the person you love.
Boredom as a Trigger in Early Recovery
There are many great things going on with this organization if you’re blessed to live in an area with a program. If you’re a smoker, regular exercise also helps reduce nicotine cravings, so you can’t lose here (even if you feel like you’re coughing up a lung in the effort – you’ll adjust!). Studies have shown that aerobic exercise helps repair the damage in your brain from drinking.
And if you can’t think of what your interests are, right away, start following someone else’s passion. Take an interest in other people and what they love. My husband wants to drive cross country with my son, going from minor league baseball games to minor Sober living home league baseball games. In the past, I never would have wanted to give myself assignments. If someone else loves hiking, ask them to take you on a hike.
- The more intentional you are, the less likely you’ll fall back into old habits out of sheer emptiness.
- It can be as elaborate as you’d like — just put on your favorite playlist and enjoy doing something tactile with the person you love.
- It made me feel accomplished early in the morning.
If you look at the amount of money you spent drinking alcohol, it’s amazing. That her whisper for you to change your relationship with alcohol is so much more than that. Consider that she is calling you to seek out more fulfilling connections with others and spend your time and brilliance pursuing the goals that you’ve buried for “someday”. This journey is packed with chances for self-improvement and seeing things from a completely different angle. You might find yourself diving into new hobbies, planning trips to places you’ve always wanted to see, or simply enjoying everyday moments with a deeper sense of appreciation.
- If you don’t know how to make anything, this is a great opportunity to learn a new skill.
- They sit on their front porch, and they paint pictures and they learn.
- By making these changes, you can increase your enjoyment of life and break away from boredom.
Without alcohol, I was fully present, enjoying every moment, from shopping to watching a West End show. Alcohol, I realized, steals more than just your health; it robs you of precious time with loved ones. What if my friends still expect me to drink? How do I handle that without making things awkward? Navigating social situations when you’re changing your drinking habits can feel tricky at first, but you’ve got this.

And again, it was something that I’d never done. And I had to learn and I had to look at. I also redecorated my bedroom, and I painted the walls because I wasn’t just passing out there anymore and leaving my clothes on the floor. I bought a beautiful photo of an ivory blanket for the top of my bed which was soft and decadent. I got an essential oil diffuser, I got really nice sheets and pillows. And again, this does not have to be expensive.
A local roller rink is a great place to have fun (and get a workout in) completely booze-free. Ria Health offers several FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder. When combined with counseling, this approach is proven highly effective. Do not underestimate the power of board or card games. Lots of ladies I know get together and do vision board parties.
Extend your to-read list using this website or by exploring glowing reviews on Goodreads. You can even sign up for a book https://solusi88.net/welcome-to-the-collaborative-studies-on-the/ subscription service and let someone else curate your list for you. It’s a stimulating, challenging, and competitive way to spend a weekend night. You can even join a league for a social outlet. Maybe lace up and go roller skating instead.
Modern Tools for Staying Ahead of Your Health
And instead of pinning up the best places for a romantic dinner in Paris, which by the way you can still go to but also look at the walking tours. Look at the photography tours, look at where to bike. Look at the best brunch places and the best coffee shops. It’s important to think about what you’re consuming on social media. Be deliberative, who you’re looking at, and what you’re watching. I mean, literally, stop following the winery that you’ve been following forever.