Steer your thoughts around to why you’re not drinking. So, if you’ve heard this whisper, let’s make the assumption that you perhaps drink more than you’d like (or have in the past). What if your desire to hide form boredom is something else entirely? Let’s look at some of the more specific reasons your soul might be calling you to explore a more mindful or abstinent relationship with alcohol. If you have recently stopped drinking alcohol, and you are feeling bored, then you are about to learn the exact steps on how to overcome it. Finding a healthy activity that interests you can be a great way to break away from boredom and start enjoying your life in sobriety.

By focusing on eating healthy, nourishing foods, you are actively working on reversing those symptoms. If nothing else, it starts to chip away at any notion you might have that you’re unworthy. Volunteer at your local shelter or thrift store.

Curious about all the amazing benefits a break from alcohol can bring?

You can make a waffle bar, offer fresh-squeezed orange juice, and finally break out that good coffee you’ve been holding on to (better to share with friends, no?). Break out an old game, book, or activity you enjoyed as a child (Pokémon or mini-golf, anyone?). I founded The Sober School to show you there’s another way out of your shame that doesn’t involve AA or rehab.

Maybe you spend time drinking by yourself, or engage in angry day drinking. You may have thought “I can’t stop drinking” a thousand times by now. Maybe you feel drinking out of boredom, and just feel like you don’t have things to do instead of drinking. Or you know someone with a bad drinking habit and you want to help.

Being Sober is so Boring Because Your Life Revolves Around Alcohol

You see, not only has alcohol made you mentally less-sharp, but it’s also caused you to choose mindless activities more often because that’s all your brain can handle. Your friends might be perfectly delightful, intelligent, well-meaning individuals. But, consider for a moment the true fulfillment and connection you receive during a night out on the town.

Boredom may cause unsatisfactory feelings of anxiety and stuttering. It takes up a lot of brain space, which makes it easier to feel boredom when mental obsessions fade. This was really hard for me to read, because one of my good friends is struggling with a husband who is addicted. He has drunk away their savings, can’t be trusted with simple things like picking the kids up from school, and has tarnished their relationship past repair.

Tips For Overcoming Boredom in Sobriety

Your friends are out getting drunk, the same as they always do. On the one hand, you have no idea what you’re supposed to do with yourself. A lot of people don’t feel good when they first get sober, so it’s totally understandable if your feelings are all over the place. When serotonin and dopamine levels are low, we become less motivated and less interested in our surroundings. This can lead to feelings of extreme boredom and apathy. It’s pretty normal to reduce the entire experience of boredom in sobriety to missing alcohol and believing that getting drunk is the primary way you (and everyone else) have fun.

• One of the reasons you might find you are bored without alcohol is because you need more stimulation.
• Create care packages to send to seniors or folks in need in your community.
• Go to a playground and rediscover your favorite youthful pastimes like swinging and hanging on the monkey bars (just don’t steal the slide from the kiddos, okay?).
• In fact, drinking makes it more difficult to cope with stress—more on this below.