Good Clean Fun!

In January 2018 I woke up one day and decided I didn't want to drink alcohol anymore. It certainly wasn't a New Year's resolution - this was like January 26. It was weird, I wasn't a problem drinker or undergoing a religious conversion or anything. I just decided I was done - and I really was. Apart from one half glass of pink champagne (my old favorite) at my sister's wedding, I have not had a drink since.

It gets tricky sometimes. Like when I was last in Ireland and had to order diet coke at the pub. Or when I lived in Italy for two years and never tried their liquors or wines. Those were hard times, though I have found other ways to join in on the fun without the booze.

When I was in Scotland last year, the non-alcoholic beer list was impressive, they even had Guinness. In Italy, I enjoyed gelato and sorbetto in all the liquor flavors including limoncello, grappa, and amaretto. Mocktail lists are getting better and better and really good bartenders will make amazing custom dry-drinks for you if you ask. The sober culture is certainly improving out there.

The sober life also complicates date night. Most grown up fun is drowned in liquor or marijuana (from which I also abstain) - and being around a bunch of drunk people is no fun, unless you've agreed to be their DD in advance. (I am always down to be the DD, btw!). So what's a girl to do??

That's where it's time to get creative! I love to find local gems to go check out where the drinking pressure is off. Like way off. Stuff like the shooting range, driving range, go-karts, etc are the best kind of fun, even if some of them are meant for kids. I love letting my inner child out to play!

Last night my spouse of 21 years and I found ourselves with a few hours of child free time, and he had a plan. We went out to play mini-golf! The indoor mini-golf in Richland was richly painted with my fave, neon!!! All the art was made by a local artist and the holes were really fun. I even got two holes in one! Let It Glow Mini Golf is so fun - highly recommend that you check out this local biz when you are in the area!

I would love to hear what you do for fun when drinking is off the table - leave a comment or send me a message, let's share ideas!

Just tap it in, indeed!