Struggle with filling time

One of the hardest things I find other than cravings is boredom and knowing what to do with my time. What do ppl do when not using? Like am I just supposed to sit around and watch TV every night or?? The boredom really gets to me

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I know the feeling. I’ve had to really spend some time figuring out what my hobbies are…

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Anhedonia is a tough thing to deal with and something most addicts struggle with early in recovery. It can take time to find something you enjoy and are interested in to fill the time. This is why as soon as I got out of rehab I jumped straight back to working full-time and doing 2 meetings a day and taking every service commitment I could get. But I overwhelmed myself and burnt myself out by trying to take on too much. Enjoy your down time and try new things. Go for a walk, read a book, draw, write, go to the gym, cook or bake. Just try new things until you find something you enjoy. And I know it helps to do something rewarding that you can feel good about. I work in recovery now and that's fulfilling and rewarding for me but before I had this job I found volunteering or helping a charity really helped me get out of my head and remind me of grateful I should be for all that I have

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For me I meditate and I do work and I journal every night and try to make a list night for the next day of Wht to do

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I keep busy by working as much as I can going to the gym 6 days a week, 3 meetings a week, 1 step writing group a week

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Walk. Exercise. Meditate. Prayer. Trust me I know it’s tough, stick with it thou.

It works if you work it so work it you’re worth it :fist:

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What Dustin said really rang true for me. There's been a lot of recalibrating for my brain with the chemicals that affect pleasure and boredom.

I think another part of it was that I spent so much time drinking with other people that I didn't really know what I liked on my own. So, I had to learn that. I also expected fun to be this big, loud, short lived sensation (like it was with drinking) instead of a calmer, steadier kind of feeling.

I figured out that I love reading, getting out in nature, and playing music. I hope you can find some good stuff, too!

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Boredom is a killer for us!! I feel ya…… we have to learn to be ok doing nothing sometimes … it’s a work in progress for sure!!

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I’ve been taking YouTube art classes and learning an instrument.

Still, struggle with the concept that I could contently do nothing and drink.

For me I fill my time with reading, meditation, getting coffee with my friends, going to meetings, and watching a bit of TV. Also I have some friends I text with regularly. I only have a few friends that are actually local so most of my support is via text.

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There are thousands of distractions at your disposal: service work/volunteering, find a hobby, follow a passion, get married, get pregnant, get a second or third job, etc.

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There are tons of things to do if you look for them and are willing to get involved. I didn’t get sober to be bored and have no life because that’s what it was like for me when I was actively drinking.

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Yes I thought the same thing. :notes: Music, reading, crocheting :yarn: pick up a hobbie, gym , hiking going for a walk. Get a support group. Surround yourself with positive people. Sober people, sober fun. Bowling. Remember this we can’t do this alone! It’s important that you create a new kind of circle. I know it seems overwhelming at times but you can do this. Best wishes.. One day at a time.,

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Well said,!! I couldn’t have said it better.

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I’ve been hitting the gym real tough! It’s such a great mood stabilizer! Start working on your fitness girl!

See if there is a sober active community in your area like The Phoenix. It’s nationwide and online, tons to participate in with all sober people!

Funny drinking all I did was sit home and drink

Now 60 days clean I’m never home :thinking: through a meeting In daily and plan days out go do things

Best I drive and never look for cops anymore it’s the best

Welcome .

i do lots and lots of secular aa meetings.

bit.ly/secularmeetings

When I first got sober those first 2-3 years I did A TON of stuff alone (after about 6 months I slowly started doing things with a sober crew. Took me awhile to gain the confidence in myself to tag along and also to trust these new people.) I would go to dinner alone, the movies, take classes, join clubs-ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING.
I was very open with people and told them, ā€œI am taking this time to get to know me. I am dating myself.ā€
After I had done something on my own, I took some time, maybe writing or just thinking, and figured out my own thoughts and opinions of what I did. If I liked it or not.
I realized that for 21 years I had been doing A LOT of things that I hated but were considered typical for my age or what was expected.
I reintroduced me to myself.
I literally kept a long list of things that I enjoyed doing. So when those fits of boredom hit, I just had to look at that list and pick something.
I also realized that I often times took other people opinions on current events or whatever and adapted myself to them. So as events and issues arose in the world, I would read about it and research it until I was able to form an opinion that was 100% my own. So when you’re bored, maybe just start researching random things!

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