10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day Sober
Societal norms today tell us two major things about Valentine’s Day and how we should celebrate it:
- We should be in a long-standing, committed relationship.
- We should celebrate with wine or champagne.
Neither of those things is true.
While it’s often far too easy to accept what society tells us we should be doing, this isn’t necessarily helpful for sobriety. Many sober people choose to remain single for a time to focus on their own personal health and well-being. For some, this can lead to anxiety, loneliness, and panic when Valentine’s Day rolls around. These feelings can cause doubt and make a sober person wonder whether they should be in a relationship or whether they’re fooling themselves by holding off and focusing on “me time” instead.
The pressure to celebrate Valentine’s Day with alcohol can also be another hurdle for sober people. Advertisements everywhere seek to make us believe that the holiday can only be celebrated with expensive chocolates, jewelry, and bubbly glasses of champagne.
Fortunately, we don’t have to believe the lies society tells us about Valentine’s Day. Instead, you can choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a creative and sober way that will help you deal with feelings of loneliness and depression in a healthy way. So, whether you’re single, married, or dating this Valentine’s Day, here are 10 creative ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day sober.
Volunteering is a great way to spread a message of love and kindness on Valentine’s Day. It can also be very enjoyable and satisfying! There are many different options for volunteer work, depending on your community and your interests. For example, you could volunteer at a local animal shelter, a community food bank, or a homeless shelter. If you need some ideas to get started, check out this blog for more details: How to Volunteer in Addiction Recovery.
No one said a sober and single Valentine’s day had to be dateless. Schedule a coffee date with a sober friend and check out a new coffee shop you’ve never been to or visit an old favorite. Brunch is also a great excuse for a friend date, and there are plenty of great spots near Eudaimonia sober homes in Austin, Houston, and Colorado Springs to grab delicious brunch foods.
If you find yourself feeling lonely, depressed, or anxious this Valentine’s Day, getting active is a great way to boost your endorphins and cope with those negative emotions. Organize a group softball game with some friends, sign up for that dance class you’ve been eyeing, go bowling with your sponsor, or simply head out for a bike ride (weather permitting) and enjoy the outdoors.
Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to show yourself some love too! Treat yourself to a small gift that is meaningful and will enhance your new lifestyle of recovery. An example could be a new journal, a yoga mat to enhance your yoga practice in recovery, or a meal out at one of your favorite restaurants.
Many local restaurants, venues, and organizations host themed events on Valentine’s Day or the following weekend. If you want to attend a local event near your Eudaimonia sober living home in Houston, Austin, or Colorado Springs, here are a few good options:
- Live Celtic and folk music at EQ Heights, February 16, Houston, TX
- Painting with Cats at El Gato Coffeehouse, February 17, Houston, TX
- Jazz on Valentine’s Concert at Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston, February 14, Houston, TX
- Valentine’s Day Dance at Austin Swing Syndicate, February 14, Austin, TX
- Bob Schneider & the Moonlight Orchestra at the Moody Theater, February 14, Austin, TX
- Benny & Joon showing at Violet Crown, February 14, Austin, TX
- Colorado Springs Valentine’s Day Ball at Copa Cabana Event Center, Colorado Springs, CO
- Improvidence Valentine’s Day Improv Show at Third Space Coffee, Colorado Springs, CO
- Sweat Your Heart Out at VASA Fitness, Colorado Springs, CO
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a delicious home-cooked meal. This option doesn’t require much planning. Simply choose a recipe, purchase the ingredients, and give it a try. Or, if you’re a wreck in the kitchen, there’s no shame in ordering in! Share with your sober living roommates for an even better time.
Who said making valentines is just for kids? Spend a day crafting homemade valentines for your friends and family members and personally deliver them all on Valentine’s Day. Your loved ones will appreciate all the time and effort you put into them and it’s a great opportunity to share an encouraging word or to thank them for their ongoing support.
Parents of young kids rarely get the opportunity to get out for a date, so if you have a friend or family member who could use a night out, why not offer to babysit? Your friend will greatly appreciate it and you’ll get to spend your Valentine’s Day playing with some fun little ones.
Scavenger hunts are always a good time and Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to organize one at your sober living home. Check with your sober house manager first to make sure it’s okay before planning a scavenger hunt that your sober living housemates will enjoy along with you.
If you don’t have anything to do on Valentine’s Day, or you don’t want to celebrate it, that’s just fine! When it’s all said and down, Valentine’s Day is just another day in recovery, and you can treat it as such. Simply going about your daily routine and making the most of the day is a perfect way to spend it.
These 10 ideas are proof that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a romantic occasion and it doesn’t require drinking champagne or wine to have fun. Changing your perspective on the day will help you see that there are more ways than one to celebrate the holiday while also maintaining your sobriety.
For more information on our sober living homes and aftercare services, call Eudaimonia Recovery Homes today.
