Having a tough evening

[Juley]

It's snowing outside and I can't get out. I've been inside all day apart from a trip to the shops where I managed to stay well away from the drinks section.
I've tidied the house, tidied my room top to bottom, made myself a healthy dinner.. but now I'm starting to itch and get aggitated as this would normally be an ideal time to have a glass of wine.
I've made a herbal tea but it's really not doing the trick.
Anybody got advice. It's too early to go to bed.

[sunshine_gg]

Having a tough evening

Hey Juley!

How about a good book? Anything on TV or the computer? Perhaps watch 'rain in my heart'? Hop on to chat? Take a bath?
:l

[Juley]

Having a tough evening

Ooo, maybe a bath actually. Although the house is so cold.
Might do a mini pampering session.
There's a tv program I want to watch but it's not on for another 2 hours

[rubywillow]

Having a tough evening

exercise, yoga, meditation, write a letter you've been putting off, bake cookies, think of a hobby you've always wanted to do and research it,

[one2many]

Having a tough evening

150 things to do instead of drinking.

1. Read a book
2. Take a walk
3. Play a musical instrument
4. Knit
5. Clean your closets
6. Research your genealogy
7. Cook a gourmet dinner
8. Write an article for your local newspaper
9. Go take some pictures
10. Clean the mildew in your bathroom
11. Start writing that book you've been planning
12. Plan a garden
13. Plant a garden
14. Play with a pet
15. Read to a child
16. Visit someone in an old folks' home
17. Watch a news special on TV
18. Set up a family budget
19. Make a web site
20. Take up archery
21. Exercise
22. Go to an online recovery meeting
23. Surf the internet
24. Call your mom
25. Learn a foreign language
26. Write a poem
27. Play golf
28. Take a bubble bath
29. Draw
30. Teach a parakeet to whistle
31. Take a nap
32. Listen to music
33. Paint
34. Clean your desk
35. Start a stamp collection
36. Go window shopping
37. Browse in a book store
38. Go to an art gallery
39. Go for a drive
40. Paint a room
41. Watch the clouds go by
42. Play darts
43. Do target shooting
44. Do home repairs
45. Clean your garage
46. Sort your photographs
47. Make a scrapbook
48. Climb a tree
49. Plant a tree
50. Make marmalade
51. Make a list of things to do
52. Write a letter to the editor
53. Volunteer somewhere
54. Take a hike
55. Take a college class
56. Try yoga
57. Meditate
58. Get a massage
59. Make fruit smoothies
60. Bake cookies
61. Do a crossword puzzle
62. Go to the gym
63. Plant a color bowl
64. Sharpen your pruning tools
65. Change your engine oil
66. Sew
67. Groom your dog
68. Go see a play
69. Write a sonnet
70. Sort your recipes
71. Play solitaire
72. Go bird watching
73. Write a letter to a friend
74. Read a poetry book
75. Repot your houseplants
76. Go to a movie
77. Mow your lawn
78. Put up (or take down) your Christmas lights
79. Make pickles
80. Go jogging
81. Watch sitcoms
82. Plan menus for a diet
83. Do a jigsaw puzzle
84. Play chess
85. Write a country-western song
86. Watch a video
87. Go for a bike ride
88. Plant an herb garden
89. Start an online journal
90. Dye your hair
91. Go to a restaurant
92. Lift weights
93. Bake some bread
94. Learn a martial art
95. Polish the furniture
96. Make a flower arrangement
97. Read the newspaper
98. Start some seeds
99. Sort your magazines
100. Do some laundry.
111. Take a nature walk
112. Play with your kids
113. Volunteer at a homeless shelter
114. Volunteer at a school
115. Pick up garbage in a park
116. Tickle your kids
117. Play basketball
118. Volunteer at an animal shelter
119. Read to a child or pet
120. Sign up for obedience training with your dog
121. Take a walk and pick up litter you see on the way
122. Spend time at the library
123. Sort all your digital photos and make an album to print for holiday gifts to family.
124. Help your kid organize his closet.
125. Figure out the melody and chords to your current favorite tune on the piano.
126. Practice your holiday cookie recipes
127. Make crackers from scratch (that one didn't go so well).
128. Make tortillas from scratch (better).
129. Reread a book you haven't read for years.
130. Tango
131. Learn about someone else’s religion.
132. Reread one of your college textbooks.
133. Key out a wildflower.
134. Do your nails.
135. Do word puzzles.
136. Play a board game.
137. Burn CD’s of some of your favorite music for a friend.
138. Plant a bonsai.
139. Play Mad Libs.
140. Speak only in heroic couplets for an hour.
141. Read poetry online.
142. Ride a stationary bicycle.
143. Set up a domino topple.
144. Play backgammon.
145. Build a house of cards
146. Make an entry in Wikipedia.
147. Read a world almanac.
148. Publish a family newsletter.
149. Throw cards at a hat.
150. Go to bed.

[moglor]

Having a tough evening

Great list, one2many!

I was going to ask if you had any hobbies. I have been trying to find things to do that don't revolve around alcohol. I also suffer from boredom in times when I would have had a drink, but have nothing better to do. Computer games are a brief respite, as is playing my guitar.

What did you make for dinner?

[Juley]

Having a tough evening

That's a great list. I've been on Ebay since. Not sure which is the less of two evils.

I made lamb burgers for dinner. Lovely with a baked potato and stir fry veg. I've only started cooking/eating properly the last few days again. I've discovered that I missed cooking.
I'm tempted to bake a few cupcakes now. Must see if I have the ingredients.

Yes Moglor, my problem is boredom. I get bored very easily and like to be distracted so I don't think so much. I spend a lot of time on my own which gives me too much time to think. I don't yet have the mind to read, I give up after a page or two but must see if I can find a good page turner. Last time somebody gave me a really good book I read it over a weekend and avoided all alcohol that weekend as a result!

[Ringing Cedars]

Having a tough evening

Glad you're staying strong Juley. Thinking, yes that can be my problem at times. Although I am still well ahead of where I was 6 months ago I still need to tweak my behaviour. Lamb burgers sound divine. Have a great night!

[Wally22]

Having a tough evening

How do you teach a parakeet to whistle. Their beaks are hard, how do they purse them?
Just askin

[K9Lover]

Having a tough evening

Go to the "What We're Reading" Thread and you'll find lots of great ideas there!

[sunshine_gg]

Having a tough evening

:H:H:H Wally

I reckon, a thought like that could keep you busy for HOURS!

[moglor]

Having a tough evening

Lamb burgers sound great!

Being distracted so I don't think so much is a common theme for me. There's an episode of House where the guy takes some crazy concoction to make himself less intelligent.. I always identified quite strongly with that episode. I often drank just to quiet down my overactive brain. I'm still having a hard time finding things to do to fill the void that I once filled with beer.

Posting here helps me quite a bit. It's something to do, and everyone here has a set of shared experiences that you don't usually find in daily life or social engagements.

-Moglor

[techie]

Having a tough evening

Juley I am wishing you the best. Finding healthy activities that distract us from the cravings are key. I can tell you from experience that it gets much easier the longer you're AF. Thinking of you...John

[Juley]

Having a tough evening

Well, I did it. Off to sleep now. I could probably set up a market stall at the weekend though selling all the cakes I baked tonight! :H

I don't mind what it takes though! Even cleaning today was out of character for me. Or maybe I was too lazy and occupied before to bother or care.

Thanks all..!

[Mish]

Having a tough evening

So glad you got through the evening ok Juley. Well done. Finding things to do instead of drinking is the hardest part of staying AF. Try planning ahead what you're going to do the next night and spend the day getting enthusiastic about it.