Summertime can present unique challenges to young people in recovery, as it is often filled with parties, barbeques, and outdoor events that rarely come without alcohol being involved. In early recovery, it can be easy to be filled with feelings of dread and discontent as summer rolls around. However, being sober doesn’t mean your summer has to be boring. Instead, it can be filled with new activities and experiences that can not only combat boredom but benefit your sobriety, too! Here are 7 ideas for a fun, sober summer.
- Learn a new instrument, hobby, or art.
Whether it is playing the guitar, piano, knitting, or DIY projects, use some of your free time this summer to learn something new! Think of one art you have always wanted to learn, and go for it. With technology being so prevalent today, you don’t even have to spend money learning something new. You can find tutorials and informational resources on the internet. Who knows, you may even discover new hidden talents you didn’t know that you had!
- Host a sober barbeque.
Barbeques are a popular summer past time that often includes a surplus of beer. This summer, take it into your own hands to host an alcohol-free barbeque for you and your sober support group. Whether it is in your backyard or a local park, you can enjoy delicious food fresh off the grill while you and your support group fellowship, play backyard games, and spend quality time with one another. You can even make this a monthly event to keep all of you connected all summer long!
- Volunteer at an animal shelter or soup kitchen.
A crucial aspect of recovery is doing service to help others. One great way to give back to the community and spend your time is by volunteering at your local animal shelter or soup kitchen. Volunteering can help increase your self-esteem and feelings of purpose, give you a brighter outlook on life, and help combat against depression and anxiety by improving your overall mental health.
- Go on a spiritual camping retreat.
Grab a group of your closest sober friends and your camping supplies and venture into a secluded area of the wilderness to spend a few days on your own spiritual camping retreat. Begin the mornings with a little yoga and a meditation and spend the day hiking, swimming, and relaxing with your friends. Participating in a spiritual camping retreat can help you get some fresh air, detox from social media, and cultivate spiritual and physical awareness which can help heal your mind and bring you inner peace.
- Change up your workout routine.
If you are tired of going to the same gym doing the same old workout routines, try something new! Check out a local hiking trail or join a Crossfit club. You can even join a local sports team or a dance class. Trying something new will get you out of the regular day to day monotony that can become so tiresome. It can also allow you to meet new people and develop more relationships with others. Working out is an extremely beneficial tool in recovery, as it promotes mental clarity and provides a healthy tool to use for stress and anxiety relief.
- Create or join a sober book club.
Whether you are reading a well-known classic, a fun fiction novel, or something that relates to recovery, participating in a sober book club is a great activity to consider. If you can’t find an existing sober book club, make your own! Heat up some coffee and invite your support group over to read and spend quality time together. Discussing books, thoughts, and ideas with one another will help promote interpersonal connection. Fostering healthy relationships and connecting with others is a crucial relapse prevention tool to have in sobriety.
- Take a vacation.
If this is your first summer in recovery, you may be so used to spending all of your money on drugs or alcohol to feed your addiction. However, this summer you may have the opportunity to take that vacation you have been wanting to go on. Take a close friend with you to spend some quality time exploring new places and sightseeing. When doing this sober, you will make memories that will last a lifetime.
Don’t let being sober during the summer get you down! There are many ways to enjoy life without a drink or a drug. If you find yourself being bored this summer, try some of these fun sober activities to spruce up your summer!
Guest post by Cassidy Webb