Perhaps you’ve managed to use your will power and discipline to muscle through and achieve many of them. This is usually the case with most of the women I work with; they perform so well with alcohol in the picture, they’ve justified that they should keep it there. You might be ready to face these triggers, or you might not feel comfortable yet. Your family members and loved ones should understand what you are going through.

Meditation has been found to reduce anxiety, and a long-term practice may even lead to permanent stress reduction. In one study, mindfulness-based therapy proved as effective as antidepressants in relieving symptoms of depression. I used to believe the lie that life would be boring if I didn’t drink. That I would be boring when I went out to events and gatherings. That I would be bored and suffer through situations if I wasn’t properly lubricated with alcohol.

Where Else To Find Alcohol Mastery

This is a great hobby to do solo, or hop online and connect with friends and new people! Here are some game suggestions for mindful play. Go to the library and browse for something new. If your local branches don’t stay open into the evenings, snag a book you’ve been meaning to read and head to a café or park with ample seating.

• Surrounding yourself with people that support you can help alleviate possible remnants of guilt and shame from past behaviors.
• I felt like anything could happen when I got rid of my inhibitions.
• “Almost alcoholic” is a term that refers to individuals who skirt the boundaries of having a drinking problem.
• Most programs recommend at least 90 days.

And that’s a great activity in early sobriety. It gives you something to work with, and you’re not spending money on a ton of new clothes. I joined drinking out of boredom a running club, and I did my first 10 K in 5 years. And I know I never would have done that. That was something that wasn’t on my radar.

Getting Sober On Your Own—How To Stop Drinking Without AA

I ordered the cedar raised beds from the gardeners supply company, I planted dahlias and then took pictures of them when they grew and gave myself bouquets of fresh flowers. I planted cherry tomatoes and ate them right off the vine. I planted strawberries so that I could eat them and gather them with my daughter and take pictures. We have raspberries and I’ve made jam out of them. And I have to tell you, I am not a crafty person.

Whether or not you realize it, drinking is the shame cycle. And it held me in a place where I was stuck and where my world got smaller and smaller. Once you stop drinking, your world becomes more open. And you get to find out what life looks like, and feels like without drinking.

Living Without Alcohol

Think back to the party scenario at the beginning of this article. The confusion brought on by drinking that puts your brain in a fog, the slurring of your words, your loss of memory, your hangover. These are the literal effects of alcohol, and they just aren’t fun. On the flip side, you’ve been brainwashed into believing drinking is fun and relaxing. You grew up watching nearly every authority figure (also brainwashed), movie, and TV show, tell you that alcohol is one of life’s great pleasures. Chemical addiction isn’t contingent on a specific personality type, or whether you’re strong- or weak-willed.

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. Let me assume, that – since you’re reading this right now – you have been stricken with some desire to massively change your relationship with alcohol. It is my experience and belief that we do not receive this internal desire idly. It’s not some crazy thought that pops into our head for no reason whatsoever. Take care of your body by staying active.

If you’re ready to make a change, without turning your life upside down, schedule a call with a member of our team today. If you prefer beer, you’re in luck as well. Non-alcoholic beers are getting better and better with each passing year, with many microbreweries stepping in to create tasty alternatives to the better known brand names. Be aware, however, that non-alcoholic beers can still have up to 0.5 percent alcohol content.

• Get inspired to live minimally by joining me in my love for the Never Too Small channel on YouTube.
• And instead of pinning up the best places for a romantic dinner in Paris, which by the way you can still go to but also look at the walking tours.
• Finding a new activity and hobby such as working out can provide something to look forward to each day.
• Chemical addiction isn’t contingent on a specific personality type, or whether you’re strong- or weak-willed.