13 Nov How To Revitalize Old Hobbies to Rediscover Yourself in Sobriety?
Transitioning from addiction and mental health treatment into full recovery can be an intimidating step for some men. Applying the sober living skills learned in therapy can ensure a safe step forward. Early recovery typically requires someone to start a new life and make major changes. This may include removing toxic friends, connecting with others who have a similar sober mindset, and revitalizing old hobbies.
Taking these actions can promote long-term sobriety and a healthier lifestyle altogether. We help clients learn the sober living skills needed in preparation for recovery. Men also receive support from us during early recovery. We provide outpatient addiction treatment and a sober living home environment that provides additional support to those who need it most.
The Importance of Revitalizing Old Hobbies
In early recovery, it is important for an individual to rediscover old hobbies. Revitalizing old hobbies can be a way to reconnect with who one was before addiction. By doing this, life can seem a little easier throughout different levels of care with our facility.
For some men, early recovery can seem like the rug was pulled beneath their feet. This can be a vulnerable phase in someone’s life. It’s a time when an individual may need to make serious changes in their life. These changes may include finding new employment opportunities, landing a healthy living environment, and possibly pursuing further education.
During that critical period, it is important to develop and practice a healthy self-care routine. One important part of this self-care routine can be to revitalize old hobbies a person once enjoyed. Picking old hobbies back up can be a great way to decompress from a long day and distract one from certain triggers and intense cravings one may feel in early recovery.
How Revitalizing Old Hobbies Can Help One Connect With Their Old Self
Life before addiction may have felt easy. Perhaps there were no cravings to address. There may have been few distractions from simply pursuing goals and enjoyable activities. It may seem like there was a lot of free time for doing what a person loved. Jumping back into old hobbies can recapture that feeling. Engaging in these former hobbies be just as enjoyable as rewatching a favorite movie or listening to an old favorite song.
Different activities can bring back uplifting memories, which can create encouragement and motivation in early recovery. Spending time doing sober activities may provide a break from the war in one’s mind while in recovery. For example, say an individual used to play basketball all summer long. Once substance use became problematic, he left the ball in the court for days on end. During recovery, the individual decided to get back into sports. He may have been a little rusty in the beginning, but he realized he still had it in him to play hard. Now that he was placing his focus on a hobby, his triggers were left behind, and his cravings were becoming less intense.
As stated in the Yale Journal of Biological Medicine (YJBM), it is important to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. When faced head-on, the discomfort will be short-lived. Mindfulness and meditative practices, along with self-care, can help reduce an individual’s need to escape discomfort through addictions. A meditative hobby can help a person to connect with their mind, body, and soul and keep a positive mindset.
Follow the Five Rules for a Successful Recovery
Starting a new life in early recovery involves removing unhealthy relationships with others and making new connections with like-minded individuals. In the aforementioned YJBM article, the author states that an individual must make major life changes to change the course of their life for the better. One may start by changing negative thinking patterns, avoiding exposure to drugs and alcohol, and incorporating the author’s five rules for a successful recovery. These five rules include:
- Change your life: This could be new routines, patterns, and relationships.
- Be completely honest: Commit to honesty with one’s support community and with one’s self.
- Ask for help: Don’t try to recover alone; find a group to join.
- Practice self-care: Substitute negative habits with pleasurable and relaxing activities.
- Don’t bend the rules: Don’t look for loopholes that will lead to using substances again.
Revitalizing Old Hobbies With Sober Friends
Avoiding exposure to drugs and alcohol may require participating in old sober hobbies with others who follow a sober lifestyle as well. According to MedlinePlus, spending time with others who use substances is a risk factor. The common phrase “You are who you hang around” is valid in this sense.
Spending time with others who have a healthy mindset may be a refreshing way to start over in early recovery. Choosing to connect with others with the same goals can bring new opportunities for one’s future.
Looking into a sober living home may be a great choice for those who need additional support during what can be a sensitive time. For example, our sober living home brings together mindfully oriented men who want to spend their time in a sober environment. This can be a perfect step for relapse prevention.
Finding Positive Influences Along the Sober Pathway
When an individual is heading in a positive direction in life, they may be doing a number of things. They may work on their healthy relationships, continue to pursue their education, develop a professional career, or build a family of their own. Networking with others who have their focus on the important things in life can help one to follow a similar path.
Doing old sober activities with others who are heading in the same direction can provide guidance during casual conversation. When an individual is doing well, they may often talk about their milestones rather than drugs and alcohol. Overall, keeping busy doing what we enjoy most can serve as a positive outlet for long-term sobriety.