I think that having rituals and activities set in place is a great way to keep yourself entertained so you’re not running out to get drinks with friends.
But with wine bars or trendy breweries offering crave-worthy appetizers, it makes sense that these spots become regular hang outs. And if you’re trying to drink less or cut it out completely, then that’s when things get difficult.
Your friend wants to do happy hour at your favorite cocktail bar, or maybe it’s just something you’re craving on the weekends. But you know that going out for drinks isn’t going to support your goals.
Thankfully though, there are so many fun things to do instead of drinking.
So whether your goal is health related, you’re pregnant, or you just want better mental health, there is so much you can do instead of pouring yourself a glass.
These alternative activities will help you with getting rid of any drinking habits and make spending time with others (or yourself) revolve less around opening up a bottle of wine.
Giving up drinking altogether or for a period of time doesn’t have to be stressful when you can replace it with things that help you unwind or have fun with zero alcohol involved.
1. Walk to your favorite eatery, get take-away, and enjoy it at a pretty local nearby park.
2. Try a non-alcoholic drink like this tasty looking Honey Strawberry Basil Mocktail.
3. Try an old family recipe and see if you can master it (or make it even better).
4. Do an at home spa night swap with your friends. So exchange favorite skincare or haircare products, and then try them out together. And maybe order a pizza?
5. Try a 30-day self-care challenge.
6. Take up a new fun hobby with a friend (think perfume blending or urban foraging).
7. Have a country of the week themed evening. So watch a famous movie from that country, cook a regional dish, and learn one really cool fact about that location. Think of it as traveling without leaving the home!
8. Try affordable luxury activities like going to a historic hotel for coffee and dessert.
9. Start your own book club and set up times to meet. You can do this even if it’s just you and one other person at first!
10. Pack a meal and take a road trip to a scenic spot.
11. Do a heritage dinner and cook a dish from your family’s culture (or one you’ve been curious about). Finish it all off by lighting candles and using nice plates.
12. Try some of these self-care ideas real people are (actually) enjoying.
13. Watch your favorite movie and make a dinner that works with the theme of the movie.
14. Try a 30-day de-stress challenge.
15. Catch up on your to-do list so you can feel that incredible sense of relief!
16. Check out and try these ways to romanticize your week.
17. Plan out a fun vacation you can do in the near future.
18. Grab a hot drink and read over some really good short poems.
19. Have friends over for a boozeless brunch.
20. Head to a local farmers market and get some flowers, fresh jam, a baguette, seasonal fruit, and anything else that makes your day feel extra special.
21. Check out these cool reads and finds instead of doomscrolling.
22. Create a relaxing nightly ritual and do things like taking a bath, lighting candles, using nice lotions, and putting on face masks. It’s a great way to spend the evening instead of going out to a party.
23. Read this article on how to become a morning person (from a former night owl).
24. Take a bike ride to a fun destination for the day.
25. Start doing dinner parties! They’re fun and definitely not hard to pull off.
26. Try making homemade bread or even your own sourdough starter!
27. Go on a photo walk! Explore your city and capture little everyday details and moments you’d normally miss.
28. Host your own mocktail night with friends. Everyone can bring ingredients and then you just have to invent fun recipes together!
29. Start doing positive affirmations every morning!
30. Make a recipe that requires you to do certain things from scratch. So think of things like pierogis where you need to make your own dough.
31. See if there are any local museums or galleries that are hosting cool events or special exhibits after hours.
32. Try these lifestyle upgrades and make your week even better!
33. Create a themed playlist around a season, mood, or memory, and share it with a good friend.
34. Make your own vision board or inspo scrapbook. Clip out images, quotes, or even ticket stubs that make you feel happy and/or motivated.
35. Head to a board game cafe with friends. It’s a fun way to still get out of the house without taking in alcohol.
36. Host a seasonal soiree.
37. Hang out with someone where you know you can have an incredible conversation with and enjoy a coffee together.
38. Have a solo or friend-invited indoor picnic.
39. Start having puzzle nights. Light some candles, make a nice pot of tea, and work on a big jigsaw puzzle over a few evenings.
40. Have friends over for a fun game of “Never Have I Ever.”
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.