What do I do with free time now sober

[Losingit25]

Hi All,
I stopped drinking on 1st Jan and going well so far. My husband is still drinking. My problem is I dont quiet know what to do with myself. We went out this morning with 11 yr old daughter and did some activity and had breakfast. Home since midday, husband went back to bed, daughter chatting to friend online and I just don't know what to do. I have put oven to soak (one of them bag cleaners) and feel a bit lonely and stuck. Any suggestions, what do people do on a weekend???

So pre 1st Jan you’d have been drinking at 12.30 on a Saturday?

Drink a posh soft drink out a nice glass and do whatever you used to do.

What would normally have done last year? Just started drinking when you got home?

read a book, catch up on housework, do some self care (face mask or something similar), take up a hobby

No I didn't use to drink at 12.30. But would often be feeling a bit hungover so didn't really fancy doing much.

Ive mostly replaced drinking with exercise! Friday after work i go to gym and lift weights then run. Saturday mornings I do a pilates class. Other times I might go for a long walk with my podcast. I have absolutely no desire to drink any more and my body hasn't looked this strong and healthy in 20 years 😀

No she would have been hungover and probably not had the energy to do anything (i was the same)

You must have some hobbies or interests?

Get the roast going and go out for a walk (might be rainy!)!
ring a friend
clear your inbox
suggest board game with your DD
read
Watch tv that you only person in family to enjoy

I have upped exercise, now do about 6/7 hrs a week of fairly intense stuff. Work full-time. Thing is I feel like I have so much time and I don't know what to do. I have done enough housework for the week..I think 😊

Learn an instrument. You will never have time to drink ever again!

I think you need to find something that fills the space that alcohol filled. Think about why or when you drank and what elsecould do that. Maybe some kind of exercise, dancing or swimming or running. Or a hobby like gardening (I know if you're a non gardener that might seem crazy on a wet February day but getting outside now is when the real gardeners get lots done) or painting or reading?

And well done x

If you feel yourself wavering - talk to your DD. She will be indescribably happy that you are no longer drinking

Arrange to meet a friend for coffee?
Go to the gym?
Watch a film?
Go for a walk?
Take up a new hobby?
Have a pot noodle?
Have a wank?
Doomscrolling on the Internet?
Go swimming
Have a bath
Book a holiday?

Do you have local friends? Suggest a coffee?

Could you look at doing a part time course OP? My work are sponsoring me to do an MBA which takes up alot of time. There are free online courses for all kinds of things too

Also...it's ok to do nothing for a while. I love spending hours just reading a smutty book 🤷

well you don’t need to rush into anything to fill the void. Why not take the chance to think about what excites you? Learning a new instrument? Going for a jog? Or what calms you? A warm bath or a good book? Or making some pastries?

Has your husband taken himself to bed because he’s hungover?

I would potter but I am a potterer!
There are many good movies on at the moment could you make a cup of tea and watch one? Or go for a walk? Have a long bath and read a good book?

Exercise would be a good one too!

Clean, read my kindle, go get my nails done, go for a day out with family or friends, take the dog a walk, go visit parents/grandparents, do a food shop, bake, binge watch something on TV, go to the cinema, go to the gym, go for a swim.

Im the same at weekends OP now i barely drink, i have found colouring a nice distraction on rainy days

Pick up a hobby. Baking? Playing cards? Quilting? here are groups on weekends for people interested in so many things-sewing, book clubs, mah jong, debate clubs, herb and plant societies, helping food banks, gardening. Schools need volunteers. Join a gym and attend exercise classes. So many ways to fill your time! I just retired last week and have been looking at all of the available options, and there are just so many.

Yes...

I know what you mean OP, not drinking frees up so much time. I have started baking again on weekends, after years of not having the energy. Cheese scones, muffins, a nice big cake to have a wedge of with tea. I also like to have a.jigsaw on the go that I can spend anything from a few minutes to an hour or two doing, and have recently got into colouring in. Reading has stated to appeal again too as my brain goes back to the way it used to be.

Any of those grab you?

Take up a course and study (OU have free interesting short courses)
Jigsaws
Reading
Do your family tree
Learn a new skill - instriment, DIY, pottery