Things you'll enjoy more without booze.
It’s funny, the things you think you will miss are not often what you do (here’s looking at you big nights out where I could only remember the first hour) and the things you think you’d never enjoy turn out to be the things you do.
Often, we are terrified it will be a pit of boring nothingness - but thankfully that ain't the case, compadres.
I asked the Untoxicated online community what they had more fun doing these days sans booze and these are some of the things they said, verbatim:
“Being able to drive anytime and anywhere without even thinking of being pulled over, waking up on the weekend and heading to the beach for breakfast.”
“Hosting parties. I used to be an anxious wreck and make a mess and all the nicely made plans became a jumble and I didn’t remember much afterwards. Now I can hold conversations with my friends worth remembering and can thrive as a functional ‘adult’ (I say it with quotations because I’m a student and still kinda feel like a teenager). But I find so many things more enjoyable as I’m able to be present and mindful of the moment.”
“Might not sound like too much fun to some, but I just love the conversations in the kitchen at parties. I’ll situate myself in there when I need to get away from the non sober people and can honestly say I’ve had some of the best conversations in there. You get to talk to most of the guests too as everyone comes in at some point. The best ones have been with my just turned 18 year old daughter and her friends. We dance and sing, wash dishes together and talk about stuff I actually remember. Best part is not embarrassing my daughter by being drunk. Although I quite possibly embarrass her when I dance. Because I can’t.”
“Sex!!
Gigs (I don't waste all night in line at the bar or in the toilets racking up + I actually focus on and remember the show).
Conversations.
Dates.
Nature.
So many things.”
“I’ve been learning to play the guitar. Totally need to be in the moment for this. Now I can play a few chords I’m loving it.”
“Food tastes and smells so much richer and more complex. I savour food for its own sake rather than just something to 'line my stomach' or accompany the alcohol. I also cook much better without the one for the chef which inevitably leads to more until it becomes more important than any other task.”
“Time!! I now have time!!
Watching the sunrise and sunset!!
Waking up sober every day!! Never questioning how I got home, where did that bruise come from, how much money did I spend, who did I upset???
Feeling my feelings!! It’s like they are on steroids they are so amazing and pure!!
And sex!!! F*ck!! How amazing is sober sex!!?? Being present and vulnerable at those intimate moments is just..... well..... mind blowingly bloody awesome!!
So many great things!!”
“Watching movies, going to shows, reading books - doing all of these things and REMEMBERING it all.”
“About everything I can think of is more fun, and interesting sober. Generally because you become more aware, more in tune to the environment. More sensitive and absorb so much more that goes on around you.
For example, I would go to watch the footy with the gang, get drunk, have a sing song and I’d know the score but not remember the game.
Move forward to sobriety and went out with the gang to the casino, couple hundred of us. Watched the game sober (still sang, I suck!).
But I remembered the whole game, the tactics involved , the individual skill of the players and I remember walking home feeling pleased with myself in how much I enjoyed the evening more being sober than drunk.”
“Going grocery shopping when the supermarket opens, not being a hungover, sweaty, seedy, gritty eyed mess of a human.”
“Going for beach walks early in the morning.”
“Appreciating being out in nature, smelling the sea, air or the grass and just noticing the little things like birds or animals.”
“Parenting my older children. I am able to hang out, chat and laugh with them without a glass of wine in hand. They enjoy my sober company more and have told me how much they admire my push for a healthier life without alcohol. I exercise with my 17 year old daughter frequently and we laugh our heads off. It feels great to know that my kids are proud of me!”
“Travelling solo overseas. Planning/booking accommodation while sober is way more successful! Flying is so much better without feeling that I have to drink my way through it. Feeling safe in strange places knowing that I'm in control. Being able to trust my "spur of the moment" change of plans knowing that I make all decisions with total clarity. Walking all over a new city from sun up to sun down instead of starting exploring late in the morning due to hangover. Having meaningful conversations with locals and other travellers instead of not remembering any of it.”
“Greeting my kids family and friends and feeling more genuine and appreciated. Love them all too much to have their concern, would rather have their smiles and hugs.”
“I had resigned myself to a life of vanilla! Lol! It is the total opposite as we all know. There are many, including baths, going to live music, (I actually can see and appreciate the musicianship and be polite about it), but the one that jumps out is the hairdressers. I go 3 times a year for straightening and have done for years and years, only usually on a sat morning. Try hair straightening after a Friday night in my past life! Omg! Never again. I cannot believe this went on for years. And added bonus, about 6 months in my hairdresser (not knowing the extent of my Friday nights, or maybe he did because he barely drinks himself and could probably smell it but never said anything) commented on how healthy my hair was. He said it’s shiny and thick like you get when you are pregnant (I’m not), and asked if I’d changed my diet! Oh yeah baby! I clearly have sober hair! Awesome!”
“Driving to parties or gigs with the comfort of knowing you can drive home and go to bed whenever you feel like it.
Travelling is a big one. I don't waste half the trip hungover, sick, in shame or in trouble anymore!”
“I was a blackout drinker everyday. So just remembering what happened the day before without shame is a bonus. Doing new things used to scare me. Now I have changed my mindset... New things are fun. Tonight I am going to be in a trivial pursuit team in a bar. I am really looking forward to it!”
“This might sound strange but I have noticed how giving a hug means so much more now. I can actually feel the feelings of love/comfort/support rather than just hugging because I should.”
“Conversations - they more genuine and interesting now and I remember them.
Night driving - something I didn’t do for many many years
Holidays - so much more time to enjoy the sights
Family time - no more wine witch in my head consuming my mind , now fully present for my kids.”
“Being in the moment. Appreciating the little things like the shape of a tree or someone's garden. Love it.”
“Food...so much more enjoy the actual food aspect of a dining experience.”
“Literally everything.”
And there we have it. Not only are there lots of things you’ll likely enjoy more without the booze, this also highlights what a great gang are in our FB group.
If you’re interested in hanging out with others who are exploring their relationship with alcohol, come and join us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/untoxicatedaus It’s an awesome, supportive and often hilariously funny community of great people.
What say you? What do you find more enjoyable or the most fun without booze? Or do you have fears you won’t like anything if you go without (totally normal btw)? Tell us what you think in the comments below.