Overcoming addiction is a challenge, perhaps the biggest one you’ll face in your lifetime. But its also a rewarding experience and a journey well-worth pursuing.
That said, it might be difficult to find alternatives to formerly fun, but toxic and harmful activities. Many individuals who have achieved sobriety find that it is hard to come up with fun sober activities that don’t involve drinking or substance abuse.
Yet this is a critical component of staying sober and avoiding potential ‘triggers’ from your former life.
The good news is that there’s actually plenty of sober activities to keep you occupied throughout the day and still have fun alone, with family, or with your mates. That is if you know where to look and have an open mind about trying new things.
Next time you have time on your hands and want to find something to do, pick one of our suggestions for fun sober activities that can be done at home or in your local area.
Keep entertained with the following solo activities and ideas. Need more inspiration or looking for ways to connects and share a new hobby? Social media and forums are a great place to connect with others who enjoy your favorite past times.
Keep entertained with the following solo activities and ideas. Need more inspiration or looking for ways to connects and share a new hobby? Social media and forums are a great place to connect with others who enjoy your favorite past times.
Whether it’s a 200 or 1,000 piece puzzle, enjoy the feeling of satisfaction when you place the last piece.
Tax your brain and improve your knowledge with crosswords. For an extra challenge, give cryptic crosswords a try.
Get hold of that book you’ve always meant to read or re-read a favorite from your childhood.
Get creative, put pen to paper, and give poetry a try.
Pick a place you want to travel to and plan your dream vacation.
What did you love playing when you were younger? Pokemon? Mini-golf? Tetris?
Get out the sewing kit and darn that hole or sew on the buttons of your favorite piece of clothing.
Knitting, embroidery, and crochet are great stress relievers and you’ll end up with a homemade product at the end.
Speak with relatives or sign-up to ancestry.com to map your ancestors.
Get in touch with your grandparent, uncle, niece or other family member you’ve not spoken to for ages and see how they’re doing.
Put pen to paper and write to a friend you’ve not contacted for a while.
These last two years most of us have spent more time at home social distancing. Being at home can get BORING fast. And you know what they say about idle hands and the devil’s playground lol.
Keep engaged and entertained when at home with the following suggestions…
Get the box of photos down from the attic or out from the back of the wardrobe. Take a trip down memory lane and put your favorites into photo albums or a scrapbook.
Fix that leaky tap or finish assembling that item of flatpack furniture.
The smells and the taste of fresh bread can’t be beaten.
Experiment with making truffles, fudge, toffee, or other tasty treats.
Another great stress reliever. If you don’t have a garden, begin cultivating a window herb planter and an indoor vertical garden.
File what you need, get rid of what you don’t, and take the opportunity to unsubscribe from all those unnecessary emails.
Have a solo fashion show. Work out what still fits and what suits your current lifestyle. Donate the rest to charity or make some extra cash by selling them online.
Your health and well-being can’t be understated. Consider the following for fun ways to keep busy while also improving your overall health, wellness and mood.
Body butter and soaps are an easy place to start. Use them for a home spa day.
Running, hiking, tennis, boxing, yoga, swimming, a gym session. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as you break a sweat.
Couples activities are even more enjoyable sober. Be present with your loved one and create new and memorable experiences together.
Make a picnic lunch and head to a local beauty spot for a romantic day out.
Pack a blanket and a flask of hot chocolate. Head to the highest point in town to watch the sunset.
Try out a new recipe and cook together while listening to your favorite playlist.
Take it in turns to give each other a massage for a truly relaxing evening.
Find a local campsite or just pitch a tent in the backyard and spend the night under the stars.
Take photos on your walk and see your neighborhood through the lens of a camera.
Head to your favorite cafe or cook up a treat at home.
Enjoy a catch-up with the girls or boys.
Find a beautiful or interesting location and try your hand at watercolor or oil painting.
Get out in the fresh air for a full 18 holes or a game of pitch and putt or mini-golf.
Find areas of your hometown that you’ve never seen before.
Make new friends, find support, and meet like-minded individuals online and in person through meetup.com.
Sign-up to geocaching.com, explore your surroundings, and locate treasure in the local area using GPS.
Randonautica asks you to step outside your comfort zone and head on an adventure to a random location and explore the world around you.
Turn up the music and head out to the countryside.
There are plenty of secondhand instruments for sale online. Whether you fancy the guitar, drums, recorder, or saxophone, find a beginners book or YouTube tutorial and teach yourself to play.
Having a thriving nightlife and social calendar doesn’t have to involve substances. Consider the following to stay the life of the party…all while staying sober.
Instead of alcohol, make some non-alcoholic punch to go with your meal.
Midnight snacks, mocktails, and a night of fun and laughter with friends.
Get the family together or invite friends for a night of competition, trivia, and fun.
If it’s safe to do so, build a bonfire in the backyard. Invite some friends, get cosy around the fire, and toast some marshmallows.
It doesn’t matter which craft you pick. Dial into a digital platform and spend the evening crafting with friends.
Invite some friends and spend the night listening to and sharing your favorite music.
What better than a night with sober friends singing along to your favorite songs.
Get in touch with your grandparent, uncle, niece or other family member you’ve not spoken to for ages and see how they’re doing.
Make sure you’re surrounded by people who champion your sobriety and are ready to lend a hand when you need it. Your squad might include friends, family, a therapist, or a support group.
Treat yourself with love by nourishing your body, mind, and soul. Exercise, eat well, meditate, or chat with a therapist to keep yourself feeling your best.
Immerse yourself in activities that bring joy and keep your thoughts away from alcohol or drugs. Hobbies, volunteering, or work can be perfect for this.
Use a journal or therapy sessions to reflect on your triggers and celebrate your progress.
Pinpoint what stresses you out and develop healthy techniques to conquer it.
Be aware of who and what might trigger a relapse, and make a conscious effort to avoid those situations.
Stand up for your sobriety by learning to assert yourself and set boundaries. Know when to say “no” when your sobriety is at stake.
If addiction is getting the best of you, don’t hesitate to seek expert help like counseling or rehab.
Remember, recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself and don’t lose heart if you stumble.
Hold onto the reasons that inspired you to get sober, and use them as a guiding light when temptation comes knocking.
Life without alcohol or other substances can be as fun as you want to make it. Whether you host your own sober dinner party, pick up that book you loved as a kid, volunteer in your local community, or explore your hometown, fun sober activities are all around you.
Making the next big step in your recovery is very significant, and deciding which sober living home is right for you is no different. Your questions or concerns are of the utmost importance to us. We strive for the quickest response time possible and know the urgency for you to find answers.