What’s Your Alcohol-Free Fun Plan? And Why You Need One

When we take alcohol out of our lives, we need to add more fun in. If alcohol has been our main source of fun for years, then we need to replace it with activities, events, and people that light us up and make life more enjoyable. Otherwise, we start thinking an alcohol-free life is boring, flat, and uninspiring – and that’s just not the case. 

As I write in my book Beyond Booze: How to Create A Life You Love Alcohol-Free in the chapter Titled ‘What’s Your Fun Plan?’… If you need alcohol to enjoy something or someone then you don’t enjoy that thing or person. It’s time to embark on a journey of curiosity and experimentation. Creating a life we love, without alcohol, means examining why we think we need it to enjoy life. Part of this is discovering what ACTUALLY lights us up in an authentic and present state and doesn't require a mind-altering substance that simply dumbs down our brain to make boring things more interesting. I mean, let's just honestly reflect on that. What kind of life do we really have if we can't enjoy ourselves without alcohol? If we need alcohol to make things seem more interesting, then are we really interested in those things.

I used to think the only way to have fun was getting dressed up and going out to drink copious amounts of champagne, smoke a few fags, barely remember the uber home and eat 10 pieces of toast before passing out fully clothed. Turns out in hindsight, that wasn't much fun at all! Now fun for me is all the things I love doing for my own pleasure and this massively varies - it might be being in my pyjamas with my daughter at 7pm on a Friday night watching Dirty Dancing and eating popcorn! It might be getting up at 5am to go for a hike and watch the sunrise or attending a sauna, ice bath and sound healing session. For me, fun is doing things I love with the people I love and often it's simplest things. They were there all along. I just didn't notice then when I was drinking most nights.

So, let’s clear this up… What is fun anyway? Anything we do for our own joy or pleasure. Everyone is different and your fun plan needs to be created authentically. Don’t add in what you think fun should be. And anyone else’s idea of fun is irrelevant. Be honest. Fun just for the FUN of it is enough!

Here’s how to create a fun plan when you’re alcohol-free…

Plan something fun to look forward to

When alcohol is no longer a part of your social calendar, it's essential to plan exciting activities to look forward to. This could be a weekend getaway to a place you've always wanted to visit, a yoga retreat with girlfriends, a themed dinner party with friends, a movie night complete with cosy blankets and popcorn, or a solo adventure to explore a new hobby or interest.

Having something fun to look forward to not only gives you a sense of anticipation and excitement but also helps fill the void that alcohol may have left. It can be a powerful motivator to stay sober, knowing that you have something enjoyable and rewarding waiting for you.


Have something fun on the go

While it's great to have planned activities to look forward to, it's also important to have options for fun that you can enjoy spontaneously. This could be a list of local events happening in your area, a stack of books you've been wanting to read, a huge jigsaw puzzle on the kitchen table you are slowly putting together, a craft project that you can easily pick up and put down, or a playlist of dance music that always puts you in a good mood.

Having these options readily available ensures that there's always something fun you can do, no matter where you are or what time it is. It can help prevent boredom and the temptation to turn to alcohol for ‘entertainment’.


Do something fun that's physical

Physical activities are not only great for your health but also for your mental and emotional wellbeing. Whether it's a yoga class to relax and unwind, a challenging bushwalk, a walk on the beach at sunrise, a dance class to let loose and have fun, or trying a new sport to challenge yourself, finding joy in physical movement can be incredibly fulfilling.

Physical activities also release endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals, which can help improve your mood and reduce stress and anxiety. They provide a healthy and productive way to fill your time and energy, making it less likely that you'll turn to alcohol out of boredom or restlessness.


Tap back into what you used to do as a child

Children have a natural ability to find joy in the simplest of things. Reconnecting with activities you enjoyed as a child can reignite that sense of wonder and fun. Whether it's colouring in a colouring book, building sandcastles at the beach, playing a musical instrument, or growing flowers in your garden, embracing your inner child can be a powerful way to infuse your life with more fun.

These activities are not only enjoyable but also remind you of a time when life was simpler. They can help you let go of stress and responsibilities and focus on the present moment, which is key to finding joy and contentment in an alcohol-free life. This is the key to any fun plan – enjoying the present moment and pouring your energy into it.

Creating a fun plan when you're alcohol-free is all about getting curious, exploring new experiences, rediscovering old passions, and finding joy in the everyday moments. By actively seeking out fun and pleasure in your life, you'll not only enhance your sober journey but also cultivate a deeper sense of happiness and fulfillment.

For more on adding more fun into your alcohol-free life, check out my book Beyond Booze: How To Create A Life You Love Alcohol-Free here.