Linz

Today was a rough Saturday. Last Saturday was extremely difficult because I was anxious about possibly letting myself have just one or two beers. (I didn't though.) Today was a little different in a way. I was anxious but that emotion was also mixed with sadness.
I have been sober for 14 days now and haven't really dove into any sort of new hobby that helps to take my mind off of drinking. I go different places if I'm not at work, (cafes or tea rooms or bookstores, anything other than "the bar") but it's really not fulfilling the same neediness that alcohol did.
I'm sort of confused at my feelings right now, I'm still kind of down and out about the sobriety thing. I've been looking for counselors and have found a few that might be able to help.

I'm just really confused with myself.

artsoul

Hey Linz - your post reminded me of those first weekends (and the weekdays, too, lol)....... I didn't know what to do with myself really, especially in the evenings, and even if I had, my energy level was too low to do anything about it.... thank goodness for this forum, as I could sit in bed and read people's posts and watch TV at the same time.

It's hard I know, but things really will get better. Remember that it takes time for your brain to adjust (emotions, too). So I guess if I were to make a recommendation, I say to be patient with yourself. And remember what a great achievement it is to be two weeks sober!

Hang in there - you'll find yourself in the sunshine again.......

HootyHoo

I know exactly how you feel about "fulfilling the same neediness that alcohol did"
I also haven't really found any other hobbies but I recently got into painting kind of. Might sound cheesy but I've been doing the paint by numbers thing (which are actually pretty difficult) and that has been keeping my mind busy from thinking about drinking. Exercise has also helped me. A good run helps clear my mind sometimes.

I hope you are able to cheer up. Being sober and staying sober can get very tough. Just know that everyone on this site are always here to listen if you ever need to talk about anything.

horsebox606

Get into the habit of running. A good sweat out of toxins does wonders for the body and mind, and also try eating more nutrious foods such as brocolli etc lately i've gotten really into cooking, and looking at recipes its great fun, and takes your mind away from stuff.

tooling

Linz,

I have been sober for almost 8 months now and I still don't know what to do with myself. I'm a single male and quite honestly bored almost to death. It's bringing back memories of my past reminding me this is how I used to live for the most part.

Drinking let me put a mask on my face and change my character. Now that the mask is gone it's just me again. I don't have the evil mask anymore to artificially pump up my ego.

So I can't really help Linz since I am still bored.

But I am sober and feeling healthy and that's what counts. And I make good choices every time I am put into the position to do so. bored? Yeah but whatever.

justdave

When I quit drinking, the first week I wondered "What the heck am I going to do every night if I'm not drinking?"

Sounds funny now because the answer is "Anything!".

Shackles

Hi Linz,

I'm in the process of looking for new activities (preferably social) to occupy my free time since boredom is a big trigger for me. I know that if I am to pull this off, I am going to have to ultimately change how I interact with "life".
Drinking dominated much of my free time and effectively kept me from seeking out other activities for the most part, hence the boredom... Quite the crappy cycle!

I think that I will look for a counselor as well for some extra support.

Stay strong!

OklaBH

I like this post because that is exactly what came over me. I went crazy wondering what will i do with myself. I was a prisoner before. I literally sat on my couch or back patio...DRINKING! Monday mornings at work sucked especially. For one, I felt like ****. For two, everyone would talk about their weekend. Where they went, what movie they saw, a walk they took, shopping, went to a friends house, etc..... Get out there and do something.

CarolD

My experience...in AA I've been sad...mad and glad
but never bored....

Congratulations to all our newly sober members

CarolD

This was compiled by SR members...hope you find something that
interest you...


150 Things To Do Instead of Drinking

1. Read a book
2. Take a walk
3. Play a musical instrument
4. Knit
5. Clean your closets
6. Research your genealogy
7. Cook a gourmet dinner
8. Write an article for your local newspaper
9. Go take some pictures
10. Clean the mildew in your bathroom
11. Start writing that book you've been planning
12. Plan a garden
13. Plant a garden
14. Play with a pet
15. Read to a child
16. Visit someone in an old folks' home
17. Watch a news special on TV
18. Set up a family budget
19. Make a web site
20. Take up archery
21. Exercise
22. Go to an online recovery meeting
23. Surf the internet
24. Call your mom
25. Learn a foreign language
26. Write a poem
27. Play golf
28. Take a bubble bath
29. Draw
30. Teach a parakeet to whistle
31. Take a nap
32. Listen to music
33. Paint
34. Clean your desk
35. Start a stamp collection
36. Go window shopping
37. Browse in a book store
38. Go to an art gallery
39. Go for a drive
40. Paint a room
41. Watch the clouds go by
42. Play darts
43. Do target shooting
44. Do home repairs
45. Clean your garage
46. Sort your photographs
47. Make a scrapbook
48. Climb a tree
49. Plant a tree
50. Make marmalade
51. Make a list of things to do
52. Write a letter to the editor
53. Volunteer somewhere
54. Take a hike
55. Take a college class
56. Try yoga
57. Meditate
58. Get a massage
59. Make fruit smoothies
60. Bake cookies
61. Do a crossword puzzle
62. Go to the gym
63. Plant a color bowl
64. Sharpen your pruning tools
65. Change your engine oil
66. Sew
67. Groom your dog
68. Go see a play
69. Write a sonnet
70. Sort your recipes
71. Play solitaire
72. Go bird watching
73. Write a letter to a friend
74. Read a poetry book
75. Repot your houseplants
76. Go to a movie
77. Mow your lawn
78. Put up (or take down) your Christmas lights
79. Make pickles
80. Go jogging
81. Watch sitcoms
82. Plan menus for a diet
83. Do a jigsaw puzzle
84. Play chess
85. Write a country-western song
86. Watch a video
87. Go for a bike ride
88. Plant an herb garden
89. Start an online journal
90. Dye your hair
91. Go to a restaurant
92. Lift weights
93. Bake some bread
94. Learn a martial art
95. Polish the furniture
96. Make a flower arrangement
97. Read the newspaper
98. Start some seeds
99. Sort your magazines
100. Do some laundry.
111. Take a nature walk
112. Play with your kids
113. Volunteer at a homeless shelter
114. Volunteer at a school
115. Pick up garbage in a park
116. Tickle your kids
117. Play basketball
118. Volunteer at an animal shelter
119. Read to a child or pet
120. Sign up for obedience training with your dog
121. Take a walk and pick up litter you see on the way
122. Spend time at the library
123. Sort all your digital photos and make an album to print for holiday gifts to family.
124. Help your kid organize his closet.
125. Figure out the melody and chords to your current favorite tune on the piano.
126. Practice your holiday cookie recipes
127. Make crackers from scratch (that one didn't go so well).
128. Make tortillas from scratch (better).
129. Reread a book you haven't read for years.
130. Tango
131. Learn about someone else’s religion.
132. Reread one of your college textbooks.
133. Key out a wildflower.
134. Do your nails.
135. Do word puzzles.
136. Play a board game.
137. Burn CD’s of some of your favorite music for a friend.
138. Plant a bonsai.
139. Play Mad Libs.
140. Speak only in heroic couplets for an hour.
141. Read poetry online.
142. Ride a stationary bicycle.
143. Set up a domino topple.
144. Play backgammon.
145. Build a house of cards
146. Make an entry in Wikipedia.
147. Read a world almanac.
148. Publish a family newsletter.
149. Throw cards at a hat.
150. Go to bed.
__________________

coffeenut

I think being confused right now is normal.

Lots of good advice in this thread! Glad you are here!

Linz

at least with the weather being so beautiful lately, work has been very busy! (landscaper.) that keeps me extremely busy all week long.
and then saturday comes to lurk around me and i'm tempted! lol
but i make it through!
thanks to all of you, this site makes me feel so much stronger.