The cultural association between drinking and New Year’s Eve is hard to break. After all, when most people picture ringing in a new year, they envision themselves at a party, toasting other revelers with a glass of champagne. If you are in recovery, you will need to relearn how to handle this holiday without compromising the progress you have made toward getting and staying sober. Here are some ways you can accomplish that goal.
1. Pamper Yourself at Home
Why not stay in and treat yourself to a luxury spa night? Light a few candles, put on some soothing music and put on a moisturizing sheet mask or give yourself a mani-pedi. Take a long, hot bubble bath and let the water soak your stress away. Instead of spending the first day of 2020 feeling groggy and lethargic because of a hangover, you can welcome the new year totally refreshed and revitalized.
2. Host a Dinner Party
One way to enjoy New Year’s Eve with friends and family while still protecting your sobriety is to throw a party yourself. You can either make the whole meal on your own, or ask people to pitch in with their favorite side dishes or desserts. Be sure to specify on your party invitation that this gathering is substance-free, so you can avoid temptations.
3. Go out of Town
New Year’s Eve is an excellent time to take a mini vacation. Shaking up your surroundings a bit could be exactly what you need to change your perspective if you are feeling stuck in a rut. Choose your destination wisely – you want to make sure to go somewhere with minimal triggers, such as a yoga retreat.
4. Have a New Year’s Eve Game Night or Movie Marathon
If you like the idea of being a party host, but don’t want to cook a big meal, another idea for a sober New Year’s Eve get-together is to plan either a game night or a movie marathon. Ask guests to bring their favorite board or card games, or request a list of people’s most-loved movies. For a fun twist, you can ask people to dress up in evening wear or costumes according to a theme you choose.
5. Write Down Your Resolutions
We’ve come to the end of 2019, and many people are thinking about how they would like to improve their lifestyles in 2020. Whether your goal is to lose a certain amount of weight, start investing your money or get a new job, spend your sober New Year’s Eve meditating on your resolutions and writing them down. Be specific about the date by which you intend to accomplish these goals, as well as any obstacles you might expect to encounter along the way.
Your Sobriety Is Worth It
It is possible for you to enjoy yourself on New Year’s Eve without drinking and drug use, and at Canyon Crossing, we believe you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Our mission is to help women learn to live fuller, more rewarding lives by equipping them with the tools to build their sobriety. To learn more about the therapies we provide and the scope of our services, reach out to us today.