vichloe

So when you quit your hobby of getting trashed every night, did you replace it with a new one?

I used to do triathlons but with two young kids, it's hard to go on a 3 hour bike ride or hour run. I would like get back into working out but not on a competitive level.

I sat and played Angry Birds last night for the first time in my life. It helped calm my mind. Then, I remembered I used to do pysanky, egg art and sell my work. I thought this would be a good hobby to get back into. I could start a jar with all the booze money I save and buy pysanky supplies.


So what is your new hobby?

doggonecarl

As much time as I spend on SR, I say that was my hobby.

With the money I was saving from not drinking, I got into fountain pen collecting. In order to use them, I started journaling and writing letters. Yes, paper correspondance. Which got me interested in mail art, so I've rediscovered my love of drawing.

Charon

vichloe,

Beautiful pysanky. My family (grandparents on both sides) came from "the old country" and ethnic food and crafts were a big thing while I was growing up. I have to admit no one in the family was as skilled as you.

VolcomStone51

I wouldn't say that I have a "new" hobby, but I definitely resurrected multiple old hobbies that I used to love and were lost on the wayside during my drinking career. Right now I am re-introducing myself to piano (which I played for 10 years as a child), started playing hockey and volleyball again and have been working out 5-6 days a week. I have to say that I feel better than ever with these things back in my life! I love the feeling of being in shape which gives me self-confidence and a clear head and I love the piano which stimulates my brain. I feel as though I am just so excited with life I may be overdoing it, but I feel like I missed out on a lot of things in that past couple years so I am trying to catch up and then figure out what I truly love to do and then maybe concentrate on that (although I like a LOT of things).

BillyPilgrim

I am walking and exercising more. I certainly read a lot more now , because I can , because my moods are better, and because I am not falling asleep.
I do find it hard to stay home alone at times, because I was a solitary drinker. So I would like to learn to enjoy my own company more so I can potter about more at home, and listen to more music, watch telly (I used to drink infront of that, so cant at all now)

Ethos23

My "new" hobby now is one that I did on and off while getting trashed every night. I have really gotten back into running since last May when I quit. I have done a couple half marathons and a marathon. I recently signed up for my first ultramarthon, which I plan to run in August.

macknacat

like Volcom, i 'recovered stuff i had done in the past- skiing, whitewater etc. later i became a rabid bass/pike fisherman... threw a little camper on the truck, bought an old boat and spent 5 weeks in Northern Ontario. Played music again. Read challenging tomes. added 3500 sq ft of shop and and a "glass room" to my home, wrote a novel...

Now i raise a few chickens and am building my 3rd boat- a 31' catamaran. Got one hell of a lot more time n money n ambition than i ever had before recovery...

2granddaughters

My wife made Teddy Bears and we did shows and sold them on-line.
We now have 2 granddaughters and they have become our focus.

My AA meetings are still at the top of my schedule, without them I would lose everything else anyway.

Wishing everyone the best.

Bob

vinepest

I spend a good 25-30% of my waking life doing math, compared to 0% when drinking/using.

I also exercise now, which I never used to do before quitting drinking/using. And I'm learning a second language, albeit extremely slowly.

Strangely, one of my hobbies which existed during my drinking/using days---making music---has all but disappeared since quitting. I still jam out now and then, but I haven't written a song in years. Actually I'm thinking about changing that later today, but we'll see how it goes.

My philosophy hobby has increased quite a bit. I hope to be published in a peer-reviewed journal in a couple of years, or even earlier. Although this is by no means guaranteed---it is merely a hope.

camedown

After being in the hole since age twelve, the simple act of living sober is enough for me. I am learning how to do everything over again, and it is the most wonderful thing ever. I feel that special joy and zeal of a child on Christmas morning, each new emotion and feeling is a wondrous toy that I get to feel and love, even the so-called negative ones. If I am sad, something had to make me so happy that the loss of it hurt. It is a beautiful world, day after day.

Jeans

I am learning to pole dance and I am starting trapeeze lessons tomorrow. I've also bought a GPS and am going to start geocashing next week.

When I was drinking I spent all my time in the pub or at home and now look at me

Db1105

Getting my GED, then on to college. That too several years.

Peter G

Wait, what is this pen thing I occasionally hear of? Is it new technology? USB or firewire Carl? And paper? Hmmm... strange, alien-ish. I must find out more.

*Dialing my tech specialist.... /*

BrandNewDay11

For me it's crocheting. I couldn't crochet on nights that I was drinking cos I couldn't see straight enough. I've been working on a blanket for my son since I stopped drinking and find crocheting gets me calm and comfy. It's almost meditative. I love it.

vichloe

That's neat! I never get snail mail anymore, so is it like calligraphy? People don't have pretty handwriting anymore, ya know?

vichloe

I played the flute. I tried the piano but I cannot multitask and read treble and bass clef at the same time.

vichloe

Way to go! That takes some dedication. I did a half ironman in 2006 and felt awesome. It seems like it was an addiction too..

How many miles is an ultramarathon?

vichloe

Did you write a song today? What instrument do you play?

vichloe

This is the most interesting reply to me in this thread! That is awesome, Jeans! You are brave and must have great self esteem. I have to admit, I would be too shy to try pole dancing. Now, if I was still drinking my daily Tanquery I'd do it!

I'm not telling my hubby about your hobby or he'll be outside digging a hole for a flag pole! Haahhaha

BackToSquareOne

Check out some of the pole dancers on this page. Felix - 2009 World Pole Dance Champion - YouTube

That looks incredibly hard, I was thinking of the kind in bars.