90 'activities' in 90 days
Shape-Shifting Super-Hero
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eating Tofu!
Posts: 882
90 'activities' in 90 days
90 ‘activities’ in 90 days
I was pondering the idea of 90 meetings in 90 days that is often recommended to newcomers in AA, and the thought popped into my head that one might make use of this concept in other useful ways.
Having stopped drinking, and thus having additional time on one’s hands can often lead to feelings of boredom, social isolation, and frustration…a lack of meaning, as it were, as one enters a life where drinking is no longer a defining component.
Thus, I thought that as much as 90 meetings in 90 days might be helpful, so would doing 90 other things ion 90 days. I thought to myself: How about 90 one hour bike rides in 90 days? Or 90 Yoga classes? Or 90 days of drawing for an hour a day? Or 90 days of volunteering at a homeless shelter, for one hour? Immersing oneself in such activities would certainly change the daily landscape of experiences the former active drinker was used to, and cause an influx of new experiences, and, ideally, new meaning, a new kind of meaning in living. One idea I had was to attend 90 different religious services in 90 days: One day go to a Jewish synagogue, another day, a black Baptist church in the inner city, the next day, a Hindu Temple, the next day a Muslim service, the next day a laid back Unitarian church, and so-forth and so on, listening and noting to things, noting the similarities and differences.
Or even something like spending 90 days working on a political campaign each day. The possibilities are endless. But the end result would be to infuse a new kind of meaning into one’s life, to literally break up an old, unhealthy pattern by immersion into a different one.
This is something I am pondering doing as an experiment; 90 days of doing something ‘new’ each day for an hour would seem bound to have some kind of helpful impact to those in recovery, looking to reclaim meaning in their lives, outside of the arena of drinking, bars, and so-forth.
Well, this is something that I have meant to mention earlier, and am wondering if anyone else has had the same idea, or a similar one, of using a 90 day immersion model, or some variant, as an aspect of recovery.
I would love to attempt to spend 90 days in the wilderness, myself...though taking the time off work would be a bit hard! But I'll find something more workable.
I was pondering the idea of 90 meetings in 90 days that is often recommended to newcomers in AA, and the thought popped into my head that one might make use of this concept in other useful ways.
Having stopped drinking, and thus having additional time on one’s hands can often lead to feelings of boredom, social isolation, and frustration…a lack of meaning, as it were, as one enters a life where drinking is no longer a defining component.
Thus, I thought that as much as 90 meetings in 90 days might be helpful, so would doing 90 other things ion 90 days. I thought to myself: How about 90 one hour bike rides in 90 days? Or 90 Yoga classes? Or 90 days of drawing for an hour a day? Or 90 days of volunteering at a homeless shelter, for one hour? Immersing oneself in such activities would certainly change the daily landscape of experiences the former active drinker was used to, and cause an influx of new experiences, and, ideally, new meaning, a new kind of meaning in living. One idea I had was to attend 90 different religious services in 90 days: One day go to a Jewish synagogue, another day, a black Baptist church in the inner city, the next day, a Hindu Temple, the next day a Muslim service, the next day a laid back Unitarian church, and so-forth and so on, listening and noting to things, noting the similarities and differences.
Or even something like spending 90 days working on a political campaign each day. The possibilities are endless. But the end result would be to infuse a new kind of meaning into one’s life, to literally break up an old, unhealthy pattern by immersion into a different one.
This is something I am pondering doing as an experiment; 90 days of doing something ‘new’ each day for an hour would seem bound to have some kind of helpful impact to those in recovery, looking to reclaim meaning in their lives, outside of the arena of drinking, bars, and so-forth.
Well, this is something that I have meant to mention earlier, and am wondering if anyone else has had the same idea, or a similar one, of using a 90 day immersion model, or some variant, as an aspect of recovery.
I would love to attempt to spend 90 days in the wilderness, myself...though taking the time off work would be a bit hard! But I'll find something more workable.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
Some people suggest 90 meetings in 90 days at AA in the hope that the newcomer gets the message of AA which is to work the program and the reasons why...
I did sooooo many of my own versions of 90 in 90, it would either be the gym, reading, working, visiting friends/family etc...always ended up with me getting drunk...i didn't try hopping up and down on one leg though, maybe that would work, seems to have as much point as any of the other activities i tried to try and keep my mind off of drinking...i would have done anything as long as it required no real effort or commitment on my part to actually get sober...
I did sooooo many of my own versions of 90 in 90, it would either be the gym, reading, working, visiting friends/family etc...always ended up with me getting drunk...i didn't try hopping up and down on one leg though, maybe that would work, seems to have as much point as any of the other activities i tried to try and keep my mind off of drinking...i would have done anything as long as it required no real effort or commitment on my part to actually get sober...
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
the concept of 90 meetings in 90 days is not AA...tho many members are not aware ..and state that it is.
It came from behavioral researchers who claim it takes 90 days to break a bad habit and replace it with a good one.
My active alcoholism was way ore complicated than a bad habit.
I say..why limit yurself to only an hour a day? be an example on living well and sober all the time...
It came from behavioral researchers who claim it takes 90 days to break a bad habit and replace it with a good one.
My active alcoholism was way ore complicated than a bad habit.
I say..why limit yurself to only an hour a day? be an example on living well and sober all the time...
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
I'm not a believer in "90 meetings in 90 days." I suppose it helps some ppl but really, even Bill W was clear on the matter: meetings will not keep an alcoholic sober nor were they designed to.
That said......there is some value, especially early on, in getting involved in a program of recovery.....even if it is just "I go to a lot of meetings."
I didn't have a driver's license when I got sober - still don't. So....getting to 90 in 90, even had I WANTED to do it wasn't going to be easy here in Michigan where mass transit is virtually non existent. What I WAS able to do though was spend at least one hour a day either reading the BB, the 12&12, listening to an open talk, meditating, praying, writing inventory.....etc etc. So I didn't get to a meeting..... I still "worked the program" for at least one hour - formally - each day.
I've since, of course, been to a lot of meetings and yanno..... they're nice and all but they certainly don't get/keep me sober...... THAT work is done in my everyday life outside of meetings.
That said......there is some value, especially early on, in getting involved in a program of recovery.....even if it is just "I go to a lot of meetings."
I didn't have a driver's license when I got sober - still don't. So....getting to 90 in 90, even had I WANTED to do it wasn't going to be easy here in Michigan where mass transit is virtually non existent. What I WAS able to do though was spend at least one hour a day either reading the BB, the 12&12, listening to an open talk, meditating, praying, writing inventory.....etc etc. So I didn't get to a meeting..... I still "worked the program" for at least one hour - formally - each day.
I've since, of course, been to a lot of meetings and yanno..... they're nice and all but they certainly don't get/keep me sober...... THAT work is done in my everyday life outside of meetings.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 95
Great idea. Freedom from the bondage of self - bondage that leads me back to drinking/using. It appeals to that adventurous spirit in me that the addict/alkie tells me can only be found by substances and the surrounding drama. Time to make a list - meetings included on mine.
Shape-Shifting Super-Hero
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eating Tofu!
Posts: 882
Originally Posted by twilli59 
Great idea. Freedom from the bondage of self - bondage that leads me back to drinking/using. It appeals to that adventurous spirit in me that the addict/alkie tells me can only be found by substances and the surrounding drama. Time to make a list - meetings included on mine.
And the one hour a day was just based on the length of an average meeting, and an amount of time the average, busy, working adult might be able to fit into their daily schedule, also allowing for possibly 'to and from' time, depending on the activity.
~
I knew I would get the usual nay-sayers here with the usual degree of flippancy, but I'm used to that by now!
But I just thought it was a very inspiring idea, and one that might be useful in recovery, to help break old, bad habits, and replace them with new, helpful, meaningful ones.
It was meant to supplement other recovery efforts, not merely to supplant them.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lowcountry
Posts: 2,762
Originally Posted by HuskyPup
90 ‘activities’ in 90 days
I thought to myself: How about 90 one hour bike rides in 90 days? .
I thought to myself: How about 90 one hour bike rides in 90 days? .
Husky,
Riding everyday is what I did. It took me 40-50 days to get up to an hour ;....of hard riding though. One cool thing about initiaiting a fitness routine is it's progressive nature.
Couldn't imagine wanting to stop at 90 !?!
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: "I'm not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost ..."
Posts: 5,273
I, too, think it's brilliant HPuP! I especially like the idea of attending different religious services...I am fascinated by different belief systems and how they converge and diverge, how they differ and how they overlap. I think your 90 new things idea could be the impetus for some amazing growth. I'm going to implement a variant myself Thank you!
Thank you!
Shape-Shifting Super-Hero
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eating Tofu!
Posts: 882
Thanks, Ranger and 'licious!
One consideration is also the logistics: It might not be possible to do it 'every' day, depending on the activity in question/your schedule, but the different religious service idea has hit me before, even if on a weekly basis. The main idea was to find something, and then immerse yourself in it, if not several things. For instance, I might dedicate one hour a day to bike riding, and then one day a week to a different religious service, and add some other activities as time allows.
One basic thing as humans we 'do' is to fill time, and thus, create meaning. What do we choose to fill it with? When it used to be drinking, what can take its place? I like this idea because it opens up such an array of possibilities, from the personal to the community-oriented.
One consideration is also the logistics: It might not be possible to do it 'every' day, depending on the activity in question/your schedule, but the different religious service idea has hit me before, even if on a weekly basis. The main idea was to find something, and then immerse yourself in it, if not several things. For instance, I might dedicate one hour a day to bike riding, and then one day a week to a different religious service, and add some other activities as time allows.
One basic thing as humans we 'do' is to fill time, and thus, create meaning. What do we choose to fill it with? When it used to be drinking, what can take its place? I like this idea because it opens up such an array of possibilities, from the personal to the community-oriented.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 95
I like taking advantage of our new freedom by engaging in areas of life that we haven't been able to get to. A restricted sense of recovery seems healthy and safe at times, and for certain periods. But I would like to be more than just a person in recovery. The recovery process is the conduit that will lead me to fulfilling passions, a renewed sense of life and just, sometimes, to the beauty of being able to truly rest and ponder things my mind has been seeking time to explore. It really is about a new freedom, for me.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 95
Oh - and for starters, the site meetup.com is up and active in most communities and has groups that literally cover almost any interest. The big non-demoninational churches, here in Columbus for example, The Vineyard, are also meccas for various social outings, discussions, book clubs, etc.
Guest
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 198
I think that's brilliant. Especially in my case. I'm a secret, closet drinker and I've grown the habit of doing nothing at night so I can get drunk before bed time. And lately, my reason for drinking is loneliness. Well, if you sit on your butt at home alone of course drinking would pop into your head. I think I'd advise to make myself go to the gym for a lot of those hours. A good workout can provide anyone with a wonderful endorphin kick.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Here is a list compiled by sR members who shared what they do instead of drinking.
Hope y'all find something that interest you...
Hope y'all 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.
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.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: "I'm not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost ..."
Posts: 5,273
Originally Posted by stugotz
Not drinking for 90 days is a good start. After all isnt that the whole point?
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: "I'm not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost ..."
Posts: 5,273
I think I'd advise to make myself go to the gym for a lot of those hours. A good workout can provide anyone with a wonderful endorphin kick.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Merritt Island, Fl
Posts: 1,164
Originally Posted by soberlicious
um...lol...correct me of I'm wrong, but I thought we were talking about after that. and I don't really see it as a list of activities to replace drinking per se, or a list of things I already do, but rather new things to expand my mind. To grow my thoughts. Challenge myself. To experience natural highs. That's just the way I was looking at it.....anyway thanks again HPup
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