Hi Ashley, I started to have some pockets of fun early, and that was from connecting with other people. Sticking around for a few laughs after the meeting was a start. My focus was also on getting through the steps, so the work there took my mind off drinking and onto the work at hand to lay foundations in sobriety. The thoughts were still there, but that abated over time. Just told them where to go pretty quickly when they did crop up. Keep persevering. :}

don't start to take up TV it is not a good passtime...

Me I also have the loneliness issues of being without fun stuff to do...mostly I try to get out to dinner with groups before or after the meetings...tonight I did that actually involved as chair I announced that there was a dinner group to go to Ruby Tuesdays and I had invited the speaker I brought in....when we got thru the business meeting and I got to Ruby Tuesdays there was nobody there and everyone who usually goes that I asked said not going...so I called the speakers cell and left VM saying I was going somewhere else...when I got to the other place they were all sitting at table from another meeting and my speaker and another guy from my meeting were there...they had already ordered...so I joined them and had some fun with the group ate and came home...

Ive been reading a lot. I went to the library and got books about things I was interested in including Italy, medicinal herbs, and a recipe book. I like Board games and cards, my friends came over and we laughed so hard playing Taboo. I like to take drives and check out neighborhoods and houses I havent seen before. As soon as the weather is better there is a cool website called Livestrong which gives maps of trails for biking, hiking, and walking. I love nature. Im planning to try scrapbooking/organizing photos and making some mixed music cds with different themes.
Life is not boring, but we do have to develop interests. Maybe make a note about some things you always liked and learn, do, go?

the store has Uno for $1 this week...I am running out to buy it when my Unemployment gets here...

When I first got sober I spent A LOT of time at the meeting hall. Arrived early and stayed later after the meetings. Got to know the people at the hall. That really helped me. There is always something going on. Just don't drink!

I went to the movies and watched Yogi Bear in 3D last week which was fun.
After I was sober a bit I recognized I missed the drama in my life. All that stuff which pushes the adrenaline levels high. The way from a "drama queen" to a serene person is a long one. lol

we do just about everything other people do except drink. It takes time to restructure your life. Participate in your hobbies, if you don't have any start one. And fellowship is a great way to do that.

Hi Ashley,
I have not had a drink in 10+ years. I found that when you first stop your body, feelings, everything is kinda uncomfortable, itchy, unable to see the fun in things sober. Usually, people lose friends too. However, as time goes by, if you can just hang on, your true self will return and you will find fun in so many more things than you ever thought. You will find new friends and a new confidence that will bring you to a place you did not think possible. Just hang on... get busy. Take a new class... I used to just improve myself when I was like this because then when I got out of feeling that way I would be that much further along in my life. (This is why I am now on my third post graduate degree!) Good luck.

I'm starting to come out of my shell somewhat, and be able to relax and just be my goofy self in front of people, the further I go with sobriety, the more I trust myself... It just takes a little time, and it takes support. I have friends now, which is a major change in my life, it's so affirming to have people who call you and want to hang out with you because, guess what, YOU ARE FUN!!! It's bizarre! Stay with it, you will see changes in yourself, and what you consider "fun", it will come in surprising little ways, it'll sneak up on you...

I remember all to well how hard it was to find things to do when I first got sober.

My very first friday night I was out splitting wood. My wife Cheri came out and asked me what I was doing. I was staying busy because I wanted to drink in the worst way.

I got involved in AA. Service work, going to dances, trying other AA meetings, going to dinners, calling people in AA and going places etc.

I discovered after 8 months being sober that When I finally got off my A** and worked the 12 steps the way they were described in the Big Book with someone that had worked them the same way, that my obsession to drink was lifted from me. I have put together enough 24 hours to add into over 11 years and still have no desire to drink today. I do however have to continue to apply those steps in my life daily in order to maintain this state of mind.

It worked for me, you might want to give it a try too, it just might work for you.

God Bless, Michael

Having fun IMO is a state of mind - you create your happiness, you don't find it - I can do some of the same things I used to do in my drinking days - i.e. hang out at bars to play pool - NOT GOOD AT POOL AT ALL - but if the company is right then it's fun.

Fun for me is life in general - i enjoy it all - as it could be taken from me at any given moment!

I have a friend in her 30's a carwreck 2 years ago, put her in a wheel chair and paralyzed in her right leg with a spinal cord injury - all she'd love to do at thsi point is just walk - even with a cane - to her THAT WOULD BE FUN! Then sadly 2 weeks ago a huge 4x4 truck hit her and now she has a broken neck -

So - again - fun can be appreciation of what you can do and trust me - enjoy what you can -

Peace!

I don't have the kinda fun that I had when I drank, much more mellow. But it does not mean that I don't have fun. Just not drunk fun. My interests changed being sober, reading, getting into outdoor activities being happy with going to a movie or out with my family. AA activities.

The wild bar stuff I thought it was fun but I'll take boring any day.

Just wanted to say thank everyone so much for the advice, recommendation and support!!!!

Tonight someone asked me to dinner before a meeting!! How cool!! She is my sponsors sponsor and we went to see her sponsors sponsor speak. lol, the word was used WAY too many times, lol!!

But it was really awesome! This guy has like 23 years!

Its amazing how I was just complaining and then BOOM, something really good happens! I guess this is why I CAN NOT give up!!!

Your alls comments really helped me a lot too! Thank you all!! :)

Ashley, that's a good question ya got there. It's the #1 question on my mind to. Let me know if ya find the answer to it. I quit drinking (again) because of some pretty nasty problems that I can create when drinking, but I'm really not happy sober. I'm bored, I have nothing to look forward to, etc

Thanks to the steps, I was able to rediscover the dream I had for my life when I was 10 or12 years old and I've lived it. That has made all the difference.