Do you remember as a kid going to your parents during the summer and saying, “I’m bored, and I don’t know what to do.” My parents would usually respond with what I considered to be a variety of boring ideas because other things would have required a lot of parental involvement and effort. So now that we are adults…. Here are some fun ideas that get us out of the house…no booze required, or even desired!
- Beach Volleyball/Football: Think “Top Gun” or “Maverick” and pretend you’re an athlete (you probably are, compared to me!) and get out there with a few buddies. Does not have to be a fancy, organized game, and this can be as low key as you like it, or you can compete for who will buy ice cream for the losers afterward!
- Hiking: Explore local trails and enjoy nature. Pro tip (and Lord knows I’m no pro, but I have learned this from some unfortunate past experiences): check your local stated parks rules and regulations, sometimes you need a pass or some kind of parking permit at a trailhead. At least you won’t look like a novice the way I have!
- Picnics: Relax in a park with a portable charcuterie tray and some sparkling juices or waters.
- Biking: Take a scenic bike ride through your city or countryside- and for safety’s sake, use a pre blazed trail so you don’t get yourself in any kind of danger with drivers. As my mother would advise, don’t forget to wear a helmet!
- Kayaking/Canoeing: Many city parks with a waterfront have a stand where you can rent a canoe or a kayak…grab a dry bag and get out there! You don’t have to be an expert, just don’t venture off too far from the shoreline unless you’re comfortable.
- Outdoor Yoga/Tai Chi: Practice yoga in a park or on the beach- search your local next door for pre existing groups to join!
- Fish-or-Float: Fan of the water? Get out there on some kind of flotation device and try some catch and release- or like me, if you’re not a fan of fishing, get yourself on a fun animal or novelty float just for relaxation!
- Gardening/Shopping: Start a garden or join a community garden. Or, like me, maybe that doesn’t sound fun at all, in which case go shopping at a local nursery and be amazed at the things for sale you suddenly “need” to buy even though you don’t garden! 😛 Those gnomes are adorable, am I right?
- Local Tourist: My favorite thing to do with this is to find a local area of interest and focus on it. For example, Seattle has had pigs placed around the city in the past. A newer one is trolls. Grab a coffee and go find some local treasures!
- Camping: Spend a weekend camping in the great outdoors. If you’re me, preferably at a hotel with air conditioning and room service. 🙂
- Outdoor Movie Night: Set up a projector and screen in your backyard and go crazy. If you have a pool, do a float-in movie!
- Rock Climbing: Try rock climbing or bouldering. (If you live in an area without this option closely, try an indoor facility!)
- Star Gazing: Spend an evening looking at the stars. Local planetariums are fun too!
- Farmer’s Markets: Visit local farmer’s markets and buy fresh produce, jams, honey, etc. It’s kind of fun to just browse the booths and see what the local artisans have created! You’ll be surprised to see what people can do with their talents!
- Photography Walks: Take a camera— who am I kidding, take your iPhone- and capture the beauty of nature.
- Outdoor Concerts: Attend local outdoor concerts or music festivals… this may be hard to do last minute, so make sure to check out the schedules early!
- Pickleball:I haven’t tried it, but it’s on my list. I hear it’s all the rage and I don’t like being left behind with the trending things. LOL.
- Nature Sketching: This may sound cheesy, but getting sober is all about having the bandwidth to try new things! Why not grab a sketchbook and colored pencils from a local pharmacy and get yourself to a park? Just enjoy the process and don’t get all caught up in the result- no one expects you to be Van Gogh, and you don’t have to post what you drew on social media, for Pete’s sake. This is just for fun!
- Frisbee Golf: A fun and cheap way to spend a park afternoon- the frisbee cost and a little organizing is all it takes!
- Stand-Up Paddleboarding: Try paddleboarding on a nearby lake or ocean. This is a blast, but be aware if you’re a beginner, you want to opt for a wider SUP.
- Local Park or Beach Scavenger Hunt: Organize a fun scavenger hunt for friends or family and take pictures as you procure items in the area. This is a blast!
- Horseback Riding: Many of us have not done this kind of thing since we were kids- summer is the perfect time to get out and do some of the things we used to do in our younger years… just be sure to stretch afterward to avoid getting saddle sore!
- Water Parks: Spend a day at a water park- just bring a good attitude and lot of sunscreen!
- Visit Botanical Gardens: Find the closest botanical garden if you don’t have one in your city. Connect with others and get out there to check out what’s growing in the region, and maybe grab an iced tea or an idea coffee afterwards!
Depending on your interest and level of mobility, just choose a couple of these things and build some memorable summer days! This list provides a mix of adventure, relaxation, and opportunities to connect with nature and friends, all without the need for alcohol. And since the McRib is usually back in the summertime…grab one after wards to congratulate yourself on trying new things!
RECOVERY PODCASTLAND: Binge-Worthy Recovery Podcast List by The Sober Curator
PLAY IT AGAIN (MUSIC): Sober Summer by Jon Jeremy
SOBERSCRIBE NOW!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
