The longest I’ve been sober was 13 months from alcohol, but my new time is 20 days strong, I do exercise to keep my mind and body healthy, but there’s still those off days when I just Want to hide from the world and drink I know it will get less intense as time goes by but restarting sucks in the beginning.
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Do what ya did when you got to 13 months…and don’t do what ya did to end it.
You have the tools.
Be well
Thanks, Yeah been trying to stay focused and it’s been working but it’s different this time I live in the middle of nowhere with nobody else just me no neighbors just my Dog and empty fields it’s peaceful but lonely. Horrible at night that’s when my mind starts racing.
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AA Meetings, riding my bike, eating at new restaurants, going to the park, going to the library, if I’m not working basically I’m staying busy so my mind has no time to play games…
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Congrats on your 20 days and welcome to the community 
Boredom from being home alone was one of my major reasons for drinking. What I’ve learned about boredom since being sober is that it’s an inevitable part of life. I know it’s hard to just sit with yourself, but uncomfortable as it might feel, it’s really worth getting used to.
This place can also help you pass the time while learning so many helpful things about recovery. You’re never alone here 
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I bike our trails here a lot, it’s a great activity. Good seeing you on here.
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I know this may sound from left field, what about checking out estate sales? It gets you out to see people, low stress, maybe buy something maybe not. Just a thought, best wishes!
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That’s awesome. Biking has definitely been a great escape from my problems Or anxieties in recovery and even on good days. Thanks for reaching out. Good seeing you as well!
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Martial Arts. Saved my life and my sanity
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- Music (listening, collecting vinyl, reading)
- Cooking
- Gardening
- Pickleball
- Getting involved in local activities
- Photography
- Chores and DIY in the house
- Being active on here
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I have picked up my colored pencils and started coloring again. I am amazed that it is so hard to stay in the lines😀
I have also started going to the library again for pleasure reading.
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Welcome to the community and great work on your now 3 weeks of sobriety 
At the beginning I really needed to keep both my mind and hands busy so I would combine activities like watching a movie and cooking/ baking or going on long walks while listening to podcasts or tunes that were positive and uplifting. I played a lot of games on my phone and did many puzzles while listening to stand up comedy.
Think of you hobbies and likes and start filling up your time with them. Main thing is to not have any “down” time and stay away from triggers.
Great to have you here with us 
. Keep pushing forward ODAAT
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Exercise is what helps me the most. I take a hike up the mountain most mornings, have a long walk and run a few days a week. I also like to go riding on my horse and horse sports if I have the time.
Doing household chores is also something. Cleaning, reorganizing and repairing things.
I cook and bake for fun. On days where I’m extra anxious or struggling I go on baking sprees and cook a lot and complicated things.
The most important thing I’ve learned to help keep sober is to know good coping skills for anxiety and stress then doing them. Also identifying my triggers has been a help.
Keeping active by being honest about how I’m doing had also made a big difference. I have people I trust and can open up to. I tell them when I’m struggling or I come on here and write whats what with honesty. It helps. Just having good people around helps.
Find a hobby, keep active, be honest and have accountability/good friends around. These things all help me.
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Thank you so much for the advice everyone, I really enjoy reading the stories and seeing different points of view helps a lot thanks again. Congrats on everyone’s sobriety or working on it .
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