- The first part of our ‘Fun Things to do Sober’ was quite a hit! And rightly so, who doesn’t love adding to their sober bucket list? We sure do!
This time, we want to hear from YOU. Send a list of your favorite things to do sober to our Director of Marketing and we’ll add them to Part 3 of this series for a fun little roundup.
Part 2 of fun things to do sober
Now, for the moment y’all have been waiting for, as curated from sober people in Orange County, here is Part 2 of fun things to do sober!
1. Go Fishing
Total Cost: Lake Admission – $20+, Boat Rental – $10, Fishing Rod Rental – $15 = $45+
Why is this super fun? Fishing is one of the most relaxing sports that exists on this planet. There’s something about connecting with nature on the water, surrounded by trees for as far as you can see, and feeling the water rock your boat slightly back and forth… Talk about connecting with the universe and Mother Nature! Bring a cooler of sandwiches, some water bottles, and some nuts, and you got an amazing day on your hands.
Why is this a sober activity? When we were drinking and using, there is no way we would sit in a boat in the middle of a lake, knowing that it would be a lot of effort to get back to shore if we run out of drinks or drugs! The concept of fishing is meditative and therapeutic, something I know for certain I would not have enjoyed when all I could think of was my next drink.
Helpful Links:Â
- Irvine Lake
- Anaheim Lake
- Santa Ana Lake
- Newport Landing
2. Go to a Sporting Event
Total Cost:Â Baseball (Angels) tickets – $15+, Hotdog and a Diet Coke – $10+Â = $25+;Football (Chargers) tickets – $58+, Hotdog and a Diet Coke – $15+= $73+; Soccer (LA Galaxy) tickets – $25+, Hotdog and a Diet Coke – $10 = $35
Why is this super fun? Sporting events are a great way to bond with friends and enjoy the vibes of a packed stadium all cheering for the same team. There’s something truly enlightening about sitting in the sun, sipping on a Coke, and chanting ‘America’ along with the rest of the crowd…
Why is this a sober activity? I don’t know about all y’all, but I like remembering the scores of games, and highlight plays so I can talk about them with my friends the next day. When we’re drinking, it’s highly unlikely we will remember anything that happened in the game. Also, stadiums are a great place to learn humility when you realize that Bob over in section C is hammered (like you once were) and trying to fight a gentleman (like you once did) rooting for the same team because his son accidentally stepped on Bob’s foot. It’s OK Bob, we’re here when you’re ready…
Helpful Links:Â
3. Take a Dance Class
Total Cost: African Dancing (Encinitas) – $15 ; 5 Group Ballroom Dance Classes (Groupon) – $37; 2 Salsa Dance Lessons (Groupon) – $12 ; 4 Polynesian Dance Lessons (Groupon) – $39 ; 4 Irish Dancing Lessons (Groupon) – $17
Why is this super fun? Dancing is a great way to release stress, let go of your body to the rhythm of the music, and explore the art of moving. Just the other day, I participated in a West African dance class; there were live drums, men and women letting themselves go to the drum beat, and letting the movements take over their body. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. It was also very humbling…
Why is this a sober activity? We are taught to drop our ego when we get sober and learn how to ‘not take ourselves so seriously.’ Dance classes do just that! The dancing talent you believed you had before you start one of these dance classes will be completely shattered once they start the choreographed routine… And you know what? It’s incredible!
Helpful Links:Â
4. Go to a Concert
Total Cost:Â It really all depends on what type of music you listen to, and what bands you like! Anywhere from $15 – $100
Why is this super fun? Just as dance lessons help you find your inner rhythm, concerts touch a part of your soul specifically dedicated to the arts. No matter what type of music you listen to, you are getting a bit of soul food when you sway, circle pit, or line dance to the music.
Why is this a sober activity? Concerts are supposed to be about feeling music on a different level. When we’re drinking and drugging, we struggle to connect to the music on the deepest level; either we don’t remember what the playlist was, we passed out and woke up the next morning forgetting that we went to a concert in the first place, or we were tripping so hard we saw Care Bears on stage instead of artists… Sober concerts are the best concerts. I do, however, recommend taking some Motrin with you; I’ve learned that drunk Parris handles standing for 6 hours way better than sober Parris.
Helpful Links:
5. Go Art Gallery Hopping
Total Cost:Â Huntington Beach Art Walk (The Third Thursday of the Month) – $0 ; Fullerton Art Walk (First Friday Evening of the Month) – $0 ; Laguna Beach Art Walk (First Thursday of the Month) – $0 ; The City of Orange Art Walk (Third Sunday of Every Month) – $65 ; Santa Ana’s Art Walk (First Sunday of Every Month) – $0
Why is this super fun? Art is a beautiful release and expression of self. Though I’m not the biggest art buff, I am a literature art buff and I have learned so much about myself through literature. With a combination of galleries, live music, performers, and more, these art walks are a blast to attend. Plus, you can meet similar-minded people!
Why is this a sober activity? A majority of alcoholics and addicts are very artistic; even those alcoholics and addicts who are not artistic find a lot of beauty in art. If you are an artistic alcoholic (AA), then you can find inspiration for your own art, and maybe one day your art could be featured in a gallery! If you’re not an AA, then this is a good opportunity to learn about open-mindedness, a fundamental aspect of long-term sobriety.
Helpful Links:
- Art Walks in Orange County
- OC Artwalk
- Fullerton Art Walk
6. Dance at a Drum Circle
Total Cost:Â RedBull (It’s going to be a long night) – $2.50 ; your dancing feet – $0 = $2.50
Why is this super fun? Art is a beautiful release and expression of self. Though I’m not the biggest art buff, I am a literature art buff and I have learned so much about myself through literature. With a combination of galleries, live music, performers, and more, these art walks are a blast to attend. Plus, you can meet similar-minded people!
Why is this a sober activity? A majority of alcoholics and addicts are very artistic; even those alcoholics and addicts who are not artistic find a lot of beauty in art. If you are an artistic alcoholic (AA), then you can find inspiration for your own art, and maybe one day your art could be featured in a gallery! If you’re not an AA, then this is a good opportunity to learn about open-mindedness, a fundamental aspect of long-term sobriety.
7. Go Skeet Shooting
Total Cost: Shotgun rental – $20 ; one round of skeet or trap – $8 = $28
Why is this super fun? It is a non-violent activity with an adrenaline rush! Plus, it takes patience and persistence to hit the skeet. Though it may be a little frustrating at first, it is such an awesome feat when you finally hit one! Ready… “PULL!”
Why is this a sober activity? You are strongly advised not to operate a weapon while intoxicated, which makes this an activity solely for a sober individual!
Helpful Links:
8. Have a Burning Resentments Ceremony
Total Cost: A bundle of firewood – $5 ; lighter fluid – $4 ; resentments – $0 = $9
Why is this super fun? Watching trinkets that represent hurt, pain or low moments in your life burn up in flames is both adrenaline provoking and therapeutic. There’s quite an excitement in building your resentments bucket (the bucket used to hold all of the possessions that represent your resentments) over weeks, months, or years, and then throwing them into the fire.
Why is this a sober activity? We all hold resentments, whether we’re an alcoholic or a ‘normie.’ Unfortunately, as alcoholics, we generally let our resentments drive us to drink or use. A burning resentments ceremony helps us to metaphorically let go of the resentments we’ve held for weeks, months, years or our whole life! It’s a beautiful process.
Helpful Links:
9. Travel the World… Wherever You Want!
Travel the world – Fun in Sobriety copy
Total Cost:Â 7 Day Cruise to the Caribbean (3rd & 4th guests sail free) – $479 (!!) ; Costa Rica 6-Night Beach and Volcano Adventure – $599 ; Australia Barrier Reefs Tour – $539
Why is this super fun? Because seeing what the rest of the world looks like, acts like, tastes like, smells like, is the best way to get out of your selfish bubble. It’s easy to forget that we aren’t the only people in the world, especially when we run into conflict. The world is a big, beautiful place.
Why is this a sober activity? Traveling is something we may or may not have done in our addiction or alcoholism. If we traveled while intoxicated, we probably didn’t fully take in the experience since we were worried about our next drink or drug. If we never got the opportunity to travel while we were using, it was less likely from limited opportunity and more likely from the fear of traveling with our drug of choice, or from the unpredictability of a foreign place. Now that we’re sober, we have so much to experience with a new set of eyes (not literally, of course)!
Helpful Links:Â
10. Trade Clothes With Your Friends in a Buffalo Exchange!
Clothing Trade – Fun in Sobriety
Total Cost:$0
Why is this super fun? Because who doesn’t love getting free clothes? One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Plus, it’s easier to get all of your friends in one place if they know some pretty awesome clothes are on the line.
Why is this a sober activity? When we first get sober, most of us are dealing with some financial wreckage from our past. Instead of wasting your money on clothes for your new job or going back to school, go buy some food and have a clothing exchange instead. You get new clothes and food. Score!
Read Part 1 here
