Updated on 12/28/23
Content Reviewed by Christian Losch, LCSW, LCADC, CEO of Pinelands
While making the life choice to be sober is undoubtedly challenging, it is also gratifying. Even though this decision is well worth the challenges, finding the motivation to continue every day can prove difficult. Some days you may wake up and be unable to remember why you decided to be sober in the first place. Keep in mind that moments like these are both expected and typical. However, it is essential not to give in to these feelings. Below are five productive ways to find the motivation you need to continue along your recovery journey.
#1. Start each day by doing something fun.
Start it right by doing something you genuinely enjoy to begin your day. Keep in mind that you do not have to do the same activity each morning. Perhaps one morning, you wake up with a lot of anxious energy. In this case, you could use that energy to turn on your favorite music, stretch, and do some fun physical activity such as dancing, yoga, or karate.
Maybe you wake up one morning feeling significantly tired and low. Rather than trying to change how you feel, perhaps you can acknowledge your fatigue by watching your favorite show or movie if you have time. In this way, you can let yourself rest while also having a fun start to your day. No matter what you choose, ensuring that you start your day by doing something enjoyable can be a great motivator.
#2. Take the time to plan a weekly celebration.
Either done by yourself or with loved ones, try planning a sober celebration as a way to congratulate yourself for completing another week being sober. You can celebrate this achievement in several different ways. If you choose to celebrate with others, perhaps you can plan a get-together with tasty snacks and fun non-alcoholic drinks. When celebrating alone, you could treat yourself by ordering food from your favorite restaurant or making your favorite dessert.
You could even celebrate by doing a fun activity you rarely get the time to do, such as going to a museum, buying a book at a local bookstore, or seeing a new movie in the theaters. Planning and having a fun celebration can help give you have something to look forward to while also rewarding yourself.
#3. Do something you enjoyed as a child once per day.
Whether you believe it or not, everyone has an inner child. Many times, our inner child has been silenced in order to please others or fit in with societal norms. Take the time to consider what you used to enjoy as a child. If you enjoyed sketching in notebooks as a kid, try drawing in your free time throughout the day. Playing dress-up may have been a fun activity for you as a child. As an adult, you could put together fun, playful outfits to wear at home or even around your town. Whatever your inner child likes to do, don’t be afraid to give it a try. Doing so can allow you to feel free, thus motivating you to live each day sober.
#4. Study a subject of interest.
Consider something you are intrigued by and would like to learn more about. This could include philosophy, photography, history, dance, languages, and more. No matter your interests, there is a class available out there for you to sign up for. Even if your schedule does not permit you to be a full-time student, there are options for weekly or bi-weekly classes instead of classes that occur every day. Regularly attending a class regarding a subject you genuinely are interested in can be a great motivator to continue finding enjoyment out of life while sober. It can also make you feel more excited about life and give you confidence in yourself and your abilities.
#5. Be sure to set some future goals.
Although this may not sound particularly appealing at first, it can certainly be a fun, motivating activity. Setting and planning goals do not have to entail only monotonous activities. For example, you could plan out where you want to move to in the future and set goals accordingly. You can pick any place you want. Therefore, setting a goal to move to New Zealand, for example, is not out of the question. Goal planning for something like this can entail learning more about life in New Zealand and what you would need to make that move happen. Goals such as this can be inspiring and rewarding.
Even though living a sober lifestyle is rewarding, this does not mean that it comes without challenges. Finding the motivation each day to continue and not give in to cravings or distressing feelings can be difficult. However, there are many ways you can find the motivation to continue. Five ways include starting each day with something fun, having a weekly celebration, doing something you enjoyed as a child each day, studying a subject of interest, and setting exciting goals for the future. While these suggestions may be helpful, you may need extra help finding the motivation to continue along your recovery journey. In this case, contacting professionals, such as those of us at Pinelands Recovery of Medford, may be of interest to you. In doing so, we can help you continue growing and learning more about yourself while maintaining your sobriety. Please call us today at (877) 557-5372 to get help.