One of the reasons drinking is so popular is that many drinkers find it helpful in social situations – at least in low doses. Research with untreated heavy drinkers shows that for many of them drinking alcohol is central to their social life and that they cannot imagine life without alcohol..Instead of thinking about all the things they could do that didn’t involve alcohol, imagine being the only man in the pub sipping half a liter of orange juice while their friends everywhere enjoy beers.
Those whose lives don’t revolve around alcohol know that the world is full of other possibilities, but these can all seem pretty alien to a die-hard drinker. Making friends without drinking alcohol – both as a confidence booster and a social activity – can be challenging for some people, especially those who have recently stopped drinking. And while for some people responsible drinking is a reasonable goal, for others, alcohol is not the best choice. Find out how to do it.
Doing cheap things without food or alcohol
There are two steps to socializing without alcohol. The first step that this article focuses on is figuring out what to do with your non-alcoholic time. The second is a process of building the social skills you lack so that you don’t need alcohol as a prop.
Focus on finding non-drinking activities that you enjoy. Then practice building social skills that will help you connect with others without using alcohol to make friends.
People who are used to drinking for leisure can either think of social activities as being centered around alcohol – for example, going to bars or pubs, or they see alcohol as a necessary addition other social activities, such as watching sports while drinking.
If you have previously focused on situations that focus on alcohol, such as B. Bars or pubs, it may be the automatic acceptance you get from fellow drinkers that makes socializing in this way attractive to you. You just show up, order a drink, and have a group of pre-made friends. However, these are not real friendships based on really knowing each other, but rather a way to alleviate loneliness. You get back what you’ve put into a friendship so the chances are slim people will get involved without buying you a beer.
Just show up
To replace this type of shallow friendship, it’s best to think of other activities that will automatically accept you, only to show up. There are a variety of activities like this one – all you have to do is think about what to enjoy instead of drinking.
One tip to help you do this is to think about what you liked to make, no matter how little you’ve tried it (or even if you’ve never tried it but want to) rather than thinking about what your drinking friends think would or say you are doing the activity. Drinkers will think of a thousand excuses to avoid doing anything that doesn’t involve alcohol and the peer pressure to keep just spending your time and money with them can be shameful and unhelpful to you as you move on in your life ...
Bottom line: don’t avoid activities just because there is no alcohol. You may find that you can enjoy these events without having to have a drink.
Physical activities
If you enjoy being physically active, there is no shortage of sports clubs and lessons, hiking and running groups, and outdoor activities that all you have to do is sign up and pay a fee. You can opt out of paying the fee because you feel like you don’t have to pay for the company, but the cost will likely be equal to or less than the cost of drinking. You can also find a free hiking or running group, or even start your own group by advertising on a local online forum like Craigslist.
Intellectual and cultural activities
If you don’t like physical activity, you can enjoy intellectual or cultural activities, such as: B. join a book club or visit your local art gallery. You will soon find an opportunity to connect with others who share these interests. If you’ve enjoyed being creative on your own, there are many ways you can develop these skills together with others, whether you prefer visual art, music, or writing.
voluntary work
Volunteering is another great way to easily connect with people about a common interest. This can help promote a cause or charity that you care about, but you are not limited to these options. There are many other volunteering opportunities available, and most communities have offices that can help you find a good match.
Once you’ve found the right activity, the next step is to develop your social skills.
