stopthemadness

aftermy first attempt to quit drinking in a long time. I am finding this moment very hard, I had a good day but this is my first friday night I am bored and scared of the weekend b/c I dont know what to do or how to act at all sober so I feel fozen.

CarolD

Please stay around here ...read and share.
You will find sobriety beats drinking every time.

Tmorrow you will be so pleased you won over alcohol.
Be kind to yourself...a bubble bath...ice cream
a silly movie or TV show.

Yes! you too can succeed!

Dee74

Weekends are tough cos it seems like everyone in the world is out there having fun but you.

I always try to remember that drinking really wasn't 'fun' at all by the end. It was hell.

Some posted a list of 100 things you can do to have fun sober recently - darned if I can find it - but I found this version:

1. Get together with friends.
2. Watch a happy video.
3. Learn something new.
4. Read a good book.
5. Enjoy a hobby.
6. Go to a meeting.
7. Play a sport.
8. Meditate.
9. Listen to music.
10. Eat a great meal.
11. Go to the zoo.
12. Smell the flowers.
13. Take a bubble bath.
14. Look at photos.
15. Smile.
16. Make someone else smile.
17. Volunteer.
18. Watch the sunset.
19. Jump rope.
20. Exercise.
21. Gather seashells.
22. Whistle a tune.
23. Sing.
24. Fly a kite.
25. Do something nice for someone else.
26. Surprise someone.
27. Have a party - a sober one.
28. Join a club.
29. Give a hug.
30. Get a hug.
31. Talk to friends.
32. Wish on a star.
33. Run through a sprinkler.
34. Do a jigsaw puzzle.
35. Help a friend in need.
36. Build a sand castle.
37. Find a home for a stray animal.
38. Write.
39. Blow bubbles.
40. Run through a field.
41. Tickle a baby's tummy.
42. Play with your pet.
43. Roll in the grass - lawn that is.
44. Snuggle with someone.
45. Eat ice cream.
46. Walk barefoot in the sand.
47. Play with a little kid.
48. Go bird watching.
49. Give a gift.
50. Kiss a parent.
51. Watch the clouds.
52. Start a garden.
53. Learn a language.
54. Learn an instrument.
55. Go fishing.
56. Make a gift.
57. Go hiking.
58. Set your goals.
59. Have a picnic.
60. Think happy thoughts.
61. Ride a bike.
62. Watch the ocean.
63. Write to friends.
64. Count your blessings.
65. Make someone laugh.
66. Listen to the birds.
67. Learn to cook.
68. Skip rocks into a lake.
69. Swing on a swing.
70. Go swimming.
71. Take care of your plants.
72. Collect something.
73. Keep a promise.
74. Learn magic tricks.
75. Go bowling.
76. Keep a journal.
77. Take lots of pictures.
78. Do better than the last time.
79. Brighten someone's day.
80. Do an anonymous good deed.
81. Dance.
82. Call your friends.
83. Read / write poetry.
84. Pray.
85. Clean your house.
86. Organize a closet.
87. Do a grateful list.
89. Visit a stranger in the hospital.
90. Bring them a gift.
91. Raise funds for a good cause.
92. Surf the net.
93. Surf the ocean.
94. Go to your local library.
95. Get rid of all your extra "stuff".
96. Let things go.
97. Go for a drive.
98. Lick someone's face just for the hell of it.
99. Blog.
100. Try to be the master of your domain.

OK I'm pretty sure the last one is a Seinfeld reference , some of them are pretty daft, and I don't know I'd recommend everything on the list, but there are some good ideas there to start with anyway.

101. Keep posting here

Welcome!
D

TTOSBT

Dee,
That is a great list!

STM,

Dee and Carol are right. You can do anything you want, just DON'T DRINK no matter what. Now that said, it is better to avoid people, places or things that might make NOT drinking difficult. Remember that drinking is a habit that needs to be replaced with healthier habits.

In the first days and months of sobriety, I had to change everything. I had to be aware not to get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired. For me the problem was in the evening right after work. I always drank when I got home while I was making dinner. So my family got quick meals or takeout for a week or two I could not be at home between 6-8 pm really. So I joined the YMCA and started going to the gym a couple nights a week and I started attending AA meetings the other nights of the week. But I have always given myself Sunday off! I just kept busy for awhile.

Now I only have 10 months but it has been an incredible 10 months, an amazing journey. I am happier today than I remember being....maybe ever. My advice would be to choose a recovery program. For me that is AA but there are many others out there if AA is not for you. Get support. It has made all the difference for me. I can't but we can!

Welcome to SR! You have found a wonderful recovery forum. Keep coming back.