Mountains. Be outside, wherever you are.
If you're a sensation-chaser, spend time on rivers or on skis.
Give a few new hobbies a try; it is okay to be a complete beginner at stuff. Learning is fun.
Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
31–40 of 208 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#32Slowly wean yourself off of alcohol.
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#331) STOP DRINKING IT 2) Get new friends (seriously). If you continue to associate with the same friends, you'll have the same problem and point of view. 3) Let yourself go through the withdrawal of the "fun" 4) Get on with life, figure out what you consider without including alcohol.
Possible step 5: integrate old friends one by one into your new circle, saving them from alcoholism
This is true. You're probably not the only one who wants to quit drinking. I wouldn't view it as "saving" them, but otherwise yeah. If you lead people might follow.
In most groups I've seen, there's really only one person who is the heavy drinker, and they bring everyone else along.
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#341) STOP DRINKING IT 2) Get new friends (seriously). If you continue to associate with the same friends, you'll have the same problem and point of view. 3) Let yourself go through the withdrawal of the "fun" 4) Get on with life, figure out what you consider without including alcohol.
also the amount of fun is close to zero sum in life. that’s why kids can play with cardboard boxes and adults can’t figure out how to have any fun. reducing alcohol for a while will reduce fun, but then your threshold/sensitivity for what is enjoyable will increase, and the endorphins will return.
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#35You should choose one or two active recreational activities and do them routinely. For example, soccer, rock climbing, golf, martial activities, running, biking, gym, whatever. You are more likely to meet friends through those activities who also enjoy doing the same non-alcohol activities as you. Dating and sex also don't have to involve alcohol and are fun activities as well. Better to get on these things now while…
I feel targeted. Although I do not think it any harder today than it was 10 years ago for me. Making tough decisions seems easier in my later years.
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#36[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#37Earlier quoted context omitted.
Possible step 5: integrate old friends one by one into your new circle, saving them from alcoholism
Sorry, but no. Cutting ties is more important. If you look at any 12 step program, leaving the old life behind is vital. They need to find their own way. EDIT: I should have said "most recovery programs" rather than specifying 12 step. Please ignore the 12 step part and realize that I'm advising staying away from the people who are part of the OP's problem.
[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#381) STOP DRINKING IT 2) Get new friends (seriously). If you continue to associate with the same friends, you'll have the same problem and point of view. 3) Let yourself go through the withdrawal of the "fun" 4) Get on with life, figure out what you consider without including alcohol.
This isn’t necessarily true. In college, I only drank very occasionally before I was 21. All of my friends drank. We still had a lot of fun. You don’t just sit around in a circle drinking. I’m currently doing a dry January and I still go out with my friends. There’s plenty of tasty non-alcoholic beverages.
That may be true for your circumstance, but I wrote that with the OP's circumstance in mind.
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#391) STOP DRINKING IT 2) Get new friends (seriously). If you continue to associate with the same friends, you'll have the same problem and point of view. 3) Let yourself go through the withdrawal of the "fun" 4) Get on with life, figure out what you consider without including alcohol.
No post body was provided.
Re: Ask HN: How do you have fun without alcohol?
#40When I was 23 I couldn't have fun without alcohol as well and I still think that it was the time of my life. It was endless stream of fun for sure without much responsibility, consequences and future planning.
So, have fun while you can.