Once you’re out of treatment, you might find yourself wondering what to do with yourself now that you don’t have to spend time or effort on sustaining your addiction. You might not be sure where to start, especially if you’re stepping away from a group of old friends who would no longer be a good influence on you. Just because you’re not partying like you used to doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your life! Here are ten ways to explore the new possibilities in front of you, enrich your day-to-day, and build meaning and enjoyment into who you are.
- Find a Creative Outlet
As you get used to your “sober brain,” you might discover you have more mental energy, make quicker connections between concepts, or have more frequent bursts of creativity. Take this opportunity to revisit an old creative hobby or pick up a new one. You just might take a newfound satisfaction in playing an instrument, building a birdhouse, writing poetry, or drawing a picture, and may even find some positive emotional release. Don’t hesitate to make art about your recovery–some of the most powerful creations are born of true experiences.
- Learn a New Skill
Invest your time and energy into enriching your life. Take a masterclass on cooking a type of food you’ve always liked, enroll in a virtual yoga group, or learn a new language. You might even find yourself driven to explore a new career. Wherever it takes you, expanding the repertoire of ways you enjoy your life is always a good idea.
- Teach What You Know
If you play an instrument, speak a foreign language, or are skilled in anything from math to sculpture, you can share your experience with those who want to learn. Teaching can be incredibly rewarding and may even make you some money on the side. There are few feelings better than the knowledge that you’re improving someone’s life.
- Strengthen Your Body
After doing the hard work of breaking free from addiction, your body is now in a better state to rebuild itself than ever before. You now have a tremendous chance to become stronger and more fit. Exercise, like running, yoga, swimming, and more, are all great ways to feel at home in your body and can lead to satisfying results if you stick with a workout plan. As they say, feeling good feels really good.
- Discipline Your Mind
Your body isn’t the only thing poised to grow in sobriety. Take this chance to read longer books, play sudoku, do crosswords, practice math, explore spatial geometry, or study any subjects you might have once considered interesting but too difficult. Now’s your chance to fortify your mind. You may surprise yourself with your ability to learn and comprehend now that your mind is freed from substance addiction.
- Connect With Spirituality
Many people find newfound meaning in connecting with a source of spirituality as part of their recovery. Spirituality doesn’t have to be boring or stuffy; it can mean hiking in nature and appreciating the natural beauty of the universe, reducing your ego through zen practices, or finding personal significance in prayer or acts of charity and kindness. Whatever lights up your mind and connects you to something greater than yourself is a great place to start.
- Explore the World Around You
You don’t have to go very far to find yourself in a whole new part of the world. In the short term, you can always find new parts of your city to visit and learn about. There’s unexpected beauty everywhere. If you’re up for a longer trip, visit a National Park–they’re inspiring at any time of year.
- Become a Buff
This is a great chance to pay a greater level of attention to something that really gets you going. Whether you’re into horror movies, authentic Georgian cuisine, free jazz, car repair, or homemade astronomy equipment, take the time to gain a little expertise in the field. Connecting with other people with the same interest can be rewarding and inspiring, and with the power of the internet, it’s easier than ever to join groups or communities of people who share your enthusiasm.
- Give Back
One of the most rewarding experiences you can have in recovery is working to help someone else in need. Volunteer at a food kitchen, help out at an animal shelter, or sing outside a senior home. You can always join the local chapter of any community organization that does work you can get behind.
- Make New Friends
Our relationships with other people add countless joys and colors to our lives. Make a point of finding new connections wherever you go–a stranger is just a friend you haven’t made yet. You never know where your next best friend might be waiting for you to say hello!As you make the changes in your life to guarantee yourself a sober, forward-thinking future, you’ll likely have questions about how to move forward in the most productive and sustainable way possible. Adapting to your new circumstances can be challenging, but with the right support, you can meet these challenges head-on and take control of your present and your future. At Everlast Recovery Centers in Riverside, California, we provide a fully-immersive residential experience for people at any stage in recovery. Our staff work with you to help build a life of lasting sobriety, fulfillment, and health. We know that recovery doesn’t end at detox. Part of stepping boldly into your new future involves being proactive in planning who you want to be from here on out. You aren’t alone in building your new life. We offer professional guidance for your transition into a future of endless possibility. Call 866-DETOX-25 to learn more.
