Breaking the Busyness Cycle for Long-Term Sobriety
If you are sober curious or in an active state of sobriety, there’s an important rule to break — the rule of staying busy.
Most believe that filling their time will distract them from their cravings, but perpetual busyness leaves little room for truly immersing yourself in what has your complete attention. Whether you’re playing with a hat or a toy, it doesn’t matter. The key is not in the distraction but in the engagement.
Keeping busy just to distract oneself is not a path to personal growth. When you are lost in distraction, you’re not really getting to know yourself. When you’re busy, you’re not giving yourself the space, time, and energy needed to evolve, grow, and change. You’re also not allowing yourself to experience uncomfortable feelings.
Remember, the discomfort of one’s life often leads to substance use. It’s time to shift that discomfort towards healthier habits, like drinking water instead of alcohol.
At the beginning of your sobriety journey, a certain degree of distraction may serve as a useful tactic. However, as time goes on, it’s crucial to develop new interests. Start watching things, talking to people, or visiting places that captivate your full attention.
Think about it this way: if you’re drowning in the ocean, you’re not thinking about your next drink, you’re too busy trying to stay afloat. You’re entirely absorbed in that experience. This is the kind of immersion we’re aiming for on the road to long-term sobriety.
Instead of looking for activities to distract yourself from intrusive thoughts, like “just one won’t hurt,” actively put yourself in a position to stay curious and get involved. Pick up a hobby, do things that you used to do while drinking, but do them without a drink. Start retraining your brain to create interests and passions that require as much attention as possible.
If you’re struggling in this area and need more ideas for getting fully involved in your recovery journey, don’t hesitate to ask for support. As an ex-alcoholic liver failure survivor who has worked with thousands of people, I can assure you, you’re not alone.
You can find me, always ready to guide you on your path to sobriety.
K O H D I | Beyond Sober
