Ideas on what to do with free time that doesn't involve drinking?

Learned to downhill ski and cross country ski after sobriety struck in my late twenties. I cannot do either one anymore but those occupations changed my life and eventually my children's lives as well!

Enjoy fishing and just being an outdoors around serene environment’s

I second @gusgundy with the realization that I had stopped hobbies that I used to like and found I sitll liked them. Also, several of my old friends "grew up" and no longer, or barely, drank so I had some good catching up to do. But, the most important thing I learned was when you get down or lonely (which I believe will inevitably happen) find a volunteer activity. Each time I fekt sirrt fir nyself that I had nothing better to do than this commitment, I left afterward feeling so much better!

I enjoy coloring with markers and crayons. Helps whenever my mind is not at ease.

Hello @kathrynann and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I really like the phrase, whenever my mind is not at ease." It is good that you have found an activity that is relaxing and helpful to you.

As this is your first post, will you share a bit more about yourself, as you are comfortable doing so?

@hopeful33250 I was recently diagnosed now Bipolar 1 Disorder and ended a 30 year relationship. Alcohol numbed all of the chaos my brain was trying to sort. After years of dependency on a liquid, I physically and more importantly, Mentally, had to breakup my relationship with Alcohol. Coloring as a child was always a coping skill. I'm glad I refound that part of me. She's cool ! Never give up on Hope !

@kathrynann How wonderful that you could end your relationship with alcohol after such a long time! I'm guessing that your meds for Bipolar now take the place of alcohol in helping you to sort out the chaos in your brain. You use great words to describe how you felt before and after alcohol cessation.

Are you also involved in a 12-Step group or perhaps counseling?

Good for you Cherie! Well done!

I've been sober 20 plus years, and replacing drinking with something else, anything else that doesn't involve drinking or drugging, is especially useful for people new to sobriety.

Thanks so much for your 12th step work here!

Joe

Good for you KathyrynAnn!

Coloring is a great way to spend otherwise idle hours while not drinking. You are also proof that there is no time limit on when one can get sober. It's a matter of willingness, not will.

I'm proud of you and your sharing here will help people. Great work!

Joe

I usually spend the idle hours in the winter doing jigsaw puzzles. It really does help the brain. I have done some beautiful puzzles! Never thought I would do them, but they are quite relaxing and challenging.