Boredom - dealing with it
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 54
Boredom - dealing with it
I used to drink when I was bored - on the train home from work, waiting for a flight, Sunday afternoon if I was home alone.
How do you cope with those boring times when you just have to wait around?
How do you cope with those boring times when you just have to wait around?
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,256
I try and do something during those times. I love to walk and run on the treadmill when I have time, as I then can burn off the calories to have something good to eat later. But, pretty much, I find something to do. Go to an AA meeting, etc etc.
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Sooner State
Posts: 1,725
It took a few weeks but it panned out. My anxiety subsided so I was fine. For alone times have a project planned. It doesnt have to be anything big...closet to clean out, car to detail, visit a new store, cook a new meal, exercise... The rewards cant be beat. Please stick with it.
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Mmmmmm
Posts: 3,178
Trivia Crack, Dots, Freecell, Spider on my phone. I also will just start deleting all of that junk email that rolls in. Maybe figure out how much money you are saving and research a big purchase or a trip to stay motivated?
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
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Originally Posted by dbillyd 
I used to drink when I was bored - on the train home from work, waiting for a flight, Sunday afternoon if I was home alone.
If your addiction wants to use boredom as the reason you need to drink, you'd be bored at Disney Land.
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: illinois
Posts: 907
i agree with all of the above. i would add that i have come to the realization that sometimes i may be bored. if no activities or distractions are desirable, i just sit with the boredom, and let it pass. -cause it does. just like everything else.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 54
Originally Posted by doggonecarl
I suspect you drank for all sorts of reasons. Being restless and discontent says more about the state of your recovery than it says about lack of activities to keep you occupied.
If your addiction wants to use boredom as the reason you need to drink, you'd be bored at Disney Land.
If your addiction wants to use boredom as the reason you need to drink, you'd be bored at Disney Land.
Just everything after that when it used to go wrong!!!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 124
Boredom is certainly better then the other alternative.
Tonight though, I do sit at home, feeling a bit bored. Of course, I do have the option to go out. But then, I do feel lazy. I think, being sober can be harder as your energy levels aren't being shifted with all the sugar from alcohol. I feel like I need to go the gym first, then see how I feel, and see if I can get a buzz from that.
Right now the idea of going to a busy bar to drink a coke and then go home feels a bit pointless though. I'd rather stay in, and have a good productive day tomorrow. That keeps me positive.
Although, I do find not drinking just makes socialising with drinkers a lot harder. Sigh
Tonight though, I do sit at home, feeling a bit bored. Of course, I do have the option to go out. But then, I do feel lazy. I think, being sober can be harder as your energy levels aren't being shifted with all the sugar from alcohol. I feel like I need to go the gym first, then see how I feel, and see if I can get a buzz from that.
Right now the idea of going to a busy bar to drink a coke and then go home feels a bit pointless though. I'd rather stay in, and have a good productive day tomorrow. That keeps me positive.
Although, I do find not drinking just makes socialising with drinkers a lot harder. Sigh
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 23
Hi dbillyd, I struggle with boredom too! I noticed I was really into certain rituals, drinking/using in certain places, just like you when I was waiting or going somewhere. I've been trying to change even the small stuff in my everyday life, what route I take, maybe call someone on my way home, things like that. But some days are harder than others, at times I try to just sit with the boredom too. The others here had a lot of great tips I will try out!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 3
I've been doing a million things for the "boredom". A short list is: going to AA meetings, contacting my new recovery friends, researching new recipes and making new things to eat, making food-for-later in bulk and freezing, photography, dancing, looking for sales, clipping coupons, cleaning my house, organizing anything, exercising, researching ways to exercise, listening to music, making new playlists, making beat-matched music, jewelry making (another post of it's own), crocheting, writing in my journal, blog writing, working on my web sites, putting a million things in my amazon wish list, visiting a pet store just to see the beasts, hanging out with family, trying new places to eat, reading.
OoOoO! Something shiny...
OoOoO! Something shiny...
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