If you work a job with traditional hours, Friday at 5:00 p.m. has a special meaning. The air seems to get a little lighter and everyone’s mood collectively brightens.
The idea that the weekend has officially begun is a wonderful feeling.
However if you newly sober or been sober for years and your having one of those days, the start of the weekend can feel a bit depressing. Or if you’re like me in early sobriety, a lot depressing.
For about the first six months I think I cried every Friday. Generally this would happen on my way home from work. I’d get in the car excited to start my weekend and then quickly feel like I had nothing to be excited for. No shots, no martinis, not even a glass of white wine.
What the hell? I worked hard all week too! What can I do to celebrate?
Well turns out over time I found plenty of things. Here’s a short list of 25, non-drinking ways I’ve kick off off weekends over the past 4 and a half years.
Get frozen yogurt (this is always at the top of my list in any scenario)
Take a Zumba class
Get chips and salsa
Call a friend
Get a pedicure
Buy a book and try to finish it over the weekend
Rent a movie
Go to a meeting
Try a new restaurant
Go on a bike ride
Take a yoga class
Walk your dog to the park
Call your parents
Watch a mindless reality TV show
Take a nap
Treat yourself to a splurge item
Make your own pizza
Take a bath
Get a massage
Learn something new from a YouTube tutorial
Give yourself an at-home spa day including a do-it-yourself facial and manicure
Go to a high school football game
Go to a candy store and treat yourself to something rarely get
Go to a coffee shop
Sit in the sun with some bubbly water and good magazine
I have hundreds more, so please email, comment below or message me via Twitter or Instagram if you need more ideas. The options are endless!
