This is our four-week series for eliminating (or minimizing) alcohol intake during the month of October in preparation for the upcoming holiday season and all its indulgences.
It's the final week of Sober October, and week 4 is focused on seeking out experiences.
In a lot of ways, we are still experiencing the effects of 2020 and COVID-19. All the restrictions we had to deal with during shutdown continue to impact us. Can you honestly say your life has returned to pre-2020 "normal"? Social cohesion and interaction stumbled and never quite recovered. Shared experiences, like concerts, festivals, malls, movie theaters, etc.—these are a much smaller part of our lives than they used to be. Because we had to adapt to life without them, we've had a hard time bringing them back.
We want to encourage you to actively seek out these experiences again now that you've been working on self-care, managing stress, alcohol alternatives, sleep hygiene, and circadian rhythm.
Get Outside
The downside of nearly year-long sunshine is the heat! It can be miserable out there, but you need to get outside. If you're doing physical activity outside during the warmer months, work around the sun as we discussed in week 1. Or go ahead and embrace the sweat! Call you friends up and meet for some pickleball or a bike ride along the Cross Seminole Trail. Afterwards, cool off with a dip in the pool. Point is, if you get outside with an activity, social or otherwise, alcohol is less likely to come into play. Just take it easy with that pool party. ;-)
Get Pampered
Stay with us, gentlemen! Yes, we have very busy schedules, but remember, our Sober October project so far has been about actively working to carve out time for things that serve our health and wellbeing, while minimizing alcohol intake. Schedule yourself for a manicure, pedicure, massage, or facial. Not only will you be doing something that makes you look and feel great, but you won't be drinking while doing it.
Make it a Family (or Friends) Fun Night
Whether you've got kids at home or not, consider having a night focused on the people who matter the most to you. Pull out all the stops with a theme and decorations, or play it super simple and order takeout. Play a new board game that requires keeping your faculties, followed by a movie and popcorn. Give each other your undivided attention and enjoy reconnecting with each other.
Be a Tourist in Your Own Town
And finally, the upside of nearly year-long sunshine: we live where people come to vacation! By a lot of people's counts, that makes us pretty darn lucky. There are so many great things to do that don't need to involve drinking. Look on social media (such as Facebook > Events) and local publications like Orlando Weekly. We are positive there is something for everyone virtually every day of the week. Consider any of the following:
Theme parks
Food festivals
Music festivals
Film festivals
Farmers' markets
Ride the Sun Rail
Ride the Brightline
Use the Cross Seminole trail to bike to a picnic spot
We could go on and on! Go do something you haven't done before!
Let us know how you're doing! Review others' posts and share your own experiences with other members in our dedicated Sober October Facebook group, or tag us on your own Facebook and Instagram posts: @momentumfitorg