In early sobriety, I found routines helpful -- especially to establish a new routine for the time of day when I used to start drinking (right after work). I made sure I had plans of some kind for 6 - 8 pm every night, for the first few months. Later in the process, I was loading my days up with too much routine and too many tasks, out of fear -- as if, "if I don't do these 14 things every day, I might not stay sober". I came to realize this was nonsense -- I stayed sober by not drinking. It was important to develop self care and new interests, but I needed to strike a balance too, and not drive myself like a task master out of fear. It took some time to develop the balance.