Non-Alcoholic Activities to Try this Summer: My Sober Journey (Week 2)

One of my goals when I turned 28 was to stop drinking. I lasted one week before boredom and the need to “relax” after work overwhelmed me, and I found myself drinking again for the next two weeks. This has been my pattern for about three years now – progress followed by setbacks. While I’ve gradually reduced my overall consumption with each attempt, I still believe alcohol affects me mostly negatively.

I’m trying again to stop drinking, at least for a while. I’m not making definitive forever-claims about never drinking again – I’m just focusing on making this break stick longer than my previous record of two months. Sometimes I think, “Maybe I’ll only drink on special occasions or vacations,” but I recognize that’s just opening the door to let alcohol creep back into my regular life. So we’ll see how this goes.

What Made Me Decide to Stop Drinking?

My first serious attempt coincided with starting flight school. Though I never drank heavily before flying, I noticed that even drinking a few days prior left me with brain fog that affected my performance and memory. Flight school is challenging enough without handicapping yourself! That first attempt lasted a month, but ironically, the stress of flight school made having a drink afterward seem like a well-deserved reward.

I wasn’t a big drinker growing up or even after turning 21. Working in a tourist area surrounded by fun bars gradually changed that. Over time, I found myself drinking more frequently and in greater quantities. Looking back, I’m not proud of many of those drinking episodes.

Eventually, I noticed a pattern: almost everything negative in my life somehow involved alcohol. While drinking has created some fun memories, they simply don’t outweigh the downsides anymore. The costs to my physical health, mental clarity, spiritual well-being, and relationships just aren’t worth it.

Each previous attempt to quit, even when I ultimately went back to drinking, taught me something valuable that’s brought me to this point. This time, my strategy is different: I’m actively replacing after-work drinking with engaging activities like yoga classes, paddleboarding trips, pottery workshops, and more.

This post marks the beginning of my accountability series. I’m two weeks in and going strong! I’m ready to live my life and pursue my goals fully, so I’ve compiled a list of alcohol alternatives that I’m excited to explore. Some are specific to my local area, but similar options likely exist wherever you are – maybe even more than I’ve found! I hope sharing my journey helps others on a similar path.

My Non-Alcoholic Activity Arsenal

1. Workouts

• Running – Clearing my head while getting my heart rate up. I’ve started tracking my routes and seeing improvements in my times, which gives me the same dopamine hit I used to get from that first drink.
• Yoga – Finding my center and flexibility. The local studio offers a Friday evening “wine-down” yoga without the wine – perfect for transitioning into the weekend.
• Paddle Boarding – My favorite way to experience water without a drink in hand. There’s something about balancing on water that requires such focus that you can’t dwell on cravings.
• Cycling – Exploring my city from a different perspective. I’ve discovered hidden gems in my own neighborhood that I never noticed while rushing from bar to bar.
• Pilates – Strengthening my core while focusing my mind. The concentration required leaves no mental space for thinking about drinks.

2. Arts & Crafts

• Paint By Numbers – Meditative creativity without needing artistic talent. I’ve found myself getting lost in these for hours, completely forgetting that I “should” be wanting a drink.
• Pottery – Getting my hands dirty making something beautiful. The local studio offers evening sessions that perfectly fill the after-work void.
• Wind Chimes – Creating something that brings joy long after I make it. Every time the breeze makes them sing, I’m reminded of what I can accomplish sober.

3. FOOOD (yes, with three O’s!)

• Cook From Scratch – Learning recipes I’ve always wanted to master. Cooking requires attention and presence – exactly what I need when cravings hit.
• Shop at the Farmer’s Market – Supporting local while eating fresher. Saturday mornings at the market beat Saturday mornings with a hangover every time.
• Grow Something? – Maybe starting with herbs? (The question mark is real!) My windowsill basil plant requires daily attention that helps build new routines.
• Eat Dessert – Because sometimes you need to treat yourself. I’ve discovered that my sweet tooth was partly suppressed by all those sugary cocktails.

4. Outdoors

• Beach Walks – Sand between my toes beats a barstool any day. The rhythmic sound of waves has become my new form of meditation.
• Play with My Dog More – Making my best friend even happier. His excitement when I grab the leash instead of car keys is the best reinforcement.
• Picnic Dates – Romance without the wine. Turns out conversation flows more authentically without alcohol lubricating it.
• Camping – Stars overhead instead of bar lights. Waking up in nature beats waking up wondering what embarrassing things I might have said.

5. Learning

• Write More – Including these accountability posts! Writing helps me process my journey and connect with others on similar paths.
• Read – All those books I have sitting on my shelves. I’m astonished at how much reading I can do in the hours I previously spent drinking and recovering.
• Online Course – Expanding my mind instead of dulling it. I’ve started learning Spanish, something I’ve wanted to do for years.
• Studying – Never stop learning. I’m revisiting some flight materials and finding that my comprehension is significantly improved.
• Meditation – Finding peace in stillness instead of a bottle. Even five minutes of mindful breathing helps me ride out the strongest urges.

What alcohol-free activities have you discovered? I’d love to hear what works for others on this journey!