Wild and Free
One fear I had about quitting drinking was that I would be bored, or worse yet…boring. I have a party girl image and I like to have a good time. Below is an actual list of things I did my first year sober. I am wildly impressed that I was able to replace sitting on my couch in shame guzzling wine with so many more interesting experiences and adventures that contribute to looking good and feeling good too. This list beats nasty hangovers, painful depression, and hopelessness every day of the week. A few of these things I did half ass while drinking, most of these things I would have never done at all when wine was my only hobby, interest, and top priority. Do you want to get started on your list?
Exercise:
Yoga
Ran a 10K
Got my bike tuned up and rode again for the first time in years
Started playing tennis for the first time in a decade!
Glo Run 5K, night run with my daughter in downtown Chicago
Daily walks with the dog, sunset walks being my favorite
Tried Aerial yoga, which made me feel like a sexy secret stripper, thank you very much
Downloaded a trail app and hiked and explored a handful of waterfalls in my area
Hot Chocolate Run 15K - my time was 1 minute 40 seconds faster per mile than the year before when I was hungover
Horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains
Completed KettleBell training at the gym
Started Cross country skiing, which I hadn’t done since Spring Break circa 1997
Concerts:
Flock of SeaGulls
Pink (#1)
Local country music
Tom Petty cover band
Salt n Pepa and more at outdoor 90’s concert!
Sarah McLachlan at Red Rocks (with besties in a lightening storm, absolute magic, I cried)
Rolling Stones cover band
Live
Counting Crows (as good as ever)
Home Improvement:
Steam Cleaned carpets
Painted Grandfather clock
Painted living room/redecorated
Cleaned windows inside and out
Framed and hung pictures I have had sitting around for years
Painted vintage desk for my daughter’s room
Painted the deck
Yard work and landscaping
Basement re do, painted, replaced ceiling tiles, cleaned out toys a created a teenage hangout
Redid daughter’s room, cleaned, painted, added new curtains, and bedding
Self Care:
Journal
Meditation
Daily devotional
Naps
Essential oils
Got rid of nicotine lozenge habit
Started eating better, Whole 30 Diet experiment
Spent a day at Sundara Spa
Spent a day at Naples Grande Spa
In the kitchen:
Homemade dog treats
Bundt cakes: cinnamon, pistachio, and lemon
Banana bread
Energy bites
Hot Chocolate Bar
Christmas cookie decorating party
Carved my first pumpkin in years
Enjoying:
Dessert
Early mornings
Working out on vacation
The ocean in Florida
Watching all the Oscar movies
A Waterpark
Broadway- Mamma Mia, Dear Evan Hansen
Frozen on Ice with my nephew
Eating the food at parties like a chili cook off. I would have never participated in eating when I was drinking.
I joined the Arboretum, finding my happy place right by my home.
I took a Sunset cruise alone in Florida and it was magical!
I also went to the Naples Botanical Garden with my baby niece for a day and loved it.
Found a hidden talent, shooting a gun! Surprised me to be so good at Trap Shooting! Would make my Dad proud!
Mind:
Puzzles
I read 41 Books in 2018 vs an average of 7 all the years prior
Painting pottery
Chicago Field Museum
Lincoln Museum
I learned new card games like Skip Bo and Canasta
Good for the world:
Volunteer and Committee Chair for an organization that helps the homeless
I learned to apologize, like for real
Completed Make A Wish Training, and became a certified Wish Granter
We got our Will updated, signed and notarized. Big accomplishment!
Attended an event that provides service dogs for the blind, ate dinner blindfolded!
I addressed a minor medical issue that included getting a liver test for the prescription. I would have had so much anxiety about this if I was drinking. But I am not drinking, I was able to address it and everything turned out fine.
I am becoming a plant lady. I have 5 plants that are thriving and purifying the air around me. More to come!
I stopped using plastic bags completely. I substituted wool dryer balls for dryer sheets and I am working on using reusable ziplocks and using my own stainless steel straws
I switched to all natural deodorant, cleaning supplies, and body wash
Relationships:
Sober car pool and leaving the house after dark.
Not nursing hangovers, and instead fully present while visiting with both of my Grandmas
Weekend sleepover with Grandma
Calling my ill Aunt and having the most honest 2 hour conversation of our lifetime
Attended a big family party that I would have blown off if I was drinking
Became a better listener and a more generous person
Role model for my kids
Deeper connection with hubs
Improvement in all my friendships, because I have something to give, its not all about me
My inner circle doesn’t have to waste time worrying about me anymore
Beauty:
Whiten teeth
spray tan
eyebrows waxed
mani/pedi
Tried Botox (!)
hair masks
face masks
massages
baths
Learned to contour makeup
Tried Cryotherapy
New daily makeup routine
Career:
Published writing
Created Website
Creating Digital Sober Course
Became a Certified Life Coach
Starting a company
Working in alignment with my highest self instead of going through the motions of jobs I hate to do
On the calendar
Zac Brown Band
10 day trip to Africa
SheRecovers Creating Connections Event in Chicago this weekend!
