Sober Fun: 18 Ways To Have Fun in Sobriety
The thought of sobriety can be daunting. Sober fun can sound like an impossible reach when you’ve used drugs and alcohol for so long that you don’t know what life looks like without them.
You may be worried that life will be boring, mundane, and incredibly challenging.
Although challenges are a normal part of the human experience, your life doesn’t need to be boring and mundane at all. It can, in fact, be infinitely more fun than active addiction.
There are so many ways to have sober fun that leave you feeling clear-minded, fulfilled, and filled with actual joy. In active addiction, drugs and alcohol give a false sense of relief and numb you of your emotions. In sobriety, you get to experience true fun, joy, and excitement, in a myriad of ways.
Sobriety offers you a clean slate and a chance to find out who you truly are.
In sobriety, you get to figure out what makes you feel alive and what makes your soul feel good. You get to learn what is for you and what isn't.
Additionally, sobriety offers you a chance to meet new people who are in the same mental space as you are, who are also in the process of discovering themselves and finding what brings them joy.
Spending time and connecting with like-minded people is an important part of the recovery process, just as much as finding activities to do that don’t revolve around substance use.
Sober fun means letting go of an old way of life
A big part of recovery is coming to truly understand that you’ll need to let go of your old way of living. Before recovery, you were likely caught in patterns and routines, surrounded by people who weren’t supporting your highest good. This old way of living can only hold you back in recovery.
In recovery, a new way of living must be found - one that supports sobriety and growth. Life is about learning and growing, but it’s also about enjoying our experiences and just having fun! Sobriety needs to be enjoyable, or it won’t captivate and maintain your attention
Also, it’s important to always remember that you can still do things you used to do when you were using, just without adding in drugs or alcohol. For instance, you can still go to concerts, weddings, family gatherings, and restaurants, and have a great time there. Furthermore, you get to remember the events the next day with a clear head.
Your sobriety is not limiting you. It is freeing you, and opening you up to a world of opportunities, experiences, and people that you would’ve never had or met if you were still using.
You get to learn about different parts of yourself and have truly memorable moments in sobriety. It is a gift, and the world is yours to be explored.
18 ways to have sober fun in recovery
Below are 18 ideas for activities you can do to help you have sober fun:
1. Connect with like-minded others
Connecting with people who are in the same mental space as you can be a great way to have sober fun. Being around others who are also sober will show you that there is an entire world outside of the confines of drug and alcohol use. You can connect with people who truly value, support, and care for you, and are there for your struggles and your joys.
2. Step into nature
Spending time in nature can be a great way to have sober fun, either solo or with some friends. Whether it’s in the form of going to the beach, a lake, or into the woods for a hike, there are so many different ways to experience the joy of nature. Hanging out in nature solo can also be incredibly therapeutic and restorative to your spirit.
3. Create something
A great way to have sober fun is by creating something. When you were in active use, you didn’t have time, energy, or space internally to create. In recovery, you have the opportunity to paint, write, or create in any way that you feel called to. If there’s something you used to love creating before your addiction took over, you can explore those interests again. If you’ve never tried creating before, recovery offers a great opportunity to explore a new outlet.
4. Take a class
Taking a class can be a great way to have sober fun in recovery while learning something new and feeling great about yourself. Whether it’s a history class at your local community college or an improv acting class at a local studio, there are many classes you can take for whatever you’re interested in. You can even take a class to learn a new language. This is a great way to not only have sober fun, but you’ll also meet new people along the way.
5. Have a movie night
Movies are always fun and can take you somewhere else if you want an escape. Movies can make you laugh, and can help you let out a good cry when you need one. Plan a movie night with yourself or with some friends. You can binge-watch a series of movies, or just watch one of your favourites. You can also go to the movies to watch the latest film out. This is a great way to have fun and jump into a new world while maintaining your sobriety.
6. Host a board game night
When is the last time you played a board game? Board games aren’t only reserved for children and can be a great deal of fun when played with a group of friends even as adults. Break out the old Cluedo or Scrabble board, and call some friends over for an old-fashioned board game night. Everyone can bring over snacks, and you can spend time laughing, playing board games, and challenging one another.
7. Be a tourist
Be a tourist in your own town. When you have grown up living in the same city, or if you’ve lived in a town for a long time, you may have never experienced the historical or touristy aspects of that city. Do a little research on your town, and then go on an adventure as a tourist! This is a great way to have sober fun, either solo or with friends.
8. Read
Reading offers a great way to learn about yourself and the world around you, but it’s also a lot of fun, a beautiful escape that can take you to new worlds. Think of what you like and then explore books in that genre. Whether you’re interested in romance, sci-fi, or even war history, there are books for you that you truly won’t be able to put down.
9. Try a new recipe
Have some sober fun in the kitchen and try out a new cooking or baking recipe. Maybe you tried a dish at a restaurant that you would love to recreate. Perhaps there’s a meal from your childhood that you would like to taste once again. Maybe you’ve never baked a dessert before, but you’d like to give that a go. Not only can cooking be fun, but it can also be therapeutic, and you’re left with a delicious treat at the end
10. Join a fitness studio
Joining a fitness studio allows you to take set classes and meet new people. Whether it’s for pilates, yoga, pole fitness, or even belly dancing, there are so many different studio classes to try out. Not only are these classes fun, but they also offer a great workout and can help you meet new people.
11. Catch an open-mic performance
A bar doesn’t have to be the only place where you can catch a live performance. Aside from music, you can also see if there are any open mic nights happening at local cafés. This can be a great opportunity to hang out with friends or go on a solo trip for some sober fun. It allows you to catch some great live performances without the focus being the alcohol nearby.
12. Take a pottery class
A pottery class is another great option for an activity to explore solo or with friends. You can create pottery from scratch, and have a finished product to adorn your home or to give away to others. You may even find that you love this craft, and turn it into your own business! The opportunities are endless, but at the very least, taking a pottery class can be a unique activity that helps you get creative and have some fun.
13. Go bike riding or rollerblading
If weather permits, go on a bike ride or go rollerblading. Whether it’s in your own neighbourhood, or you travel a little farther out to somewhere scenic, this can be a great way to spend some time outdoors, and even get in a little bit of exercise. If you don’t know how to ride a bike or rollerblade, sobriety offers you a great opportunity to learn
14. Travel
If you have the time and the means, travelling is an amazing way to have fun and explore new places. If travelling far, you’ll get to discover different cultures, and gain perspective about the world. Keep in mind that you don’t need a lot of money to enjoy the benefits of travelling. Taking a simple day trip or a sober holiday to a town you’ve always wanted to visit could offer many benefits, one of which is simply enjoying yourself
15. Venture to an amusement park
The amusement park isn’t only reserved for children and can be a great place to let your hair down and laugh with friends. If it’s a beautiful day out, gather a friend or two and take a trip to the amusement park, where you can ride rides, play games, and snack on some delicious treats.
16. Visit a museum
Museums offer a great way to have fun, no matter what you’re interested in. Whether you’re a history buff, or you’re more into contemporary art, there is certainly a museum for you. You can spend 20 minutes at a museum, or you can get lost in one for hours. Some museums are even free, making them a highly affordable and accessible option.
17. Go window shopping
Going window shopping with friends can be a great way to get out of the house and have some fun! Window shopping is low stakes, and affordable (as it’s free), and you can enjoy letting your imagination run wild with what you’d like to have. If you have the means, shopping for something new can always be fun too, but window shopping is also a great option
18. Take a salsa lesson
A salsa lesson can be a great way to have fun with friends and learn something new. Plenty of studios will allow you to take a one-off lesson for a fun night out. If it sounds like something you would enjoy, put on your dancing shoes and head to the dance floor.
A final word on having fun sober
In sobriety, many of the things you can do for fun maybe things you’ve never done before but have always wanted to try.
In this way, sobriety offers you a chance to step outside of your comfort zone. Pursuing things that seem fun or exciting to you, even if they scare you, will help you grow tremendously.
You’ll learn how to face that fear, acknowledge and accept it, and do the activity anyway because it’s what you want to do.
Remember, sobriety is an opportunity to learn more about yourself and what you really enjoy.
It isn’t meant to confine you in any way and is actually meant to free you.
It can be tricky to envision a world that’s fun and also sober, especially when you’re in the early stages of recovery, but before you know it you will get to a place where you’re truly thriving and enjoying your life in a way that you never have before.
Recovery is truly a gift, and there are many ways to have fun and enjoy the ride along the way.
Author - Thurga
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Resources
- https://royallifecenters.com/20-ways-to-have-fun-in-sobriety/