Valentine’s Day is about more than champagne, roses, and boxes of chocolate, especially if you’re focused on maintaining your sobriety and building relationships. If you’re new to the dating scene, you don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself, whereas if you’ve been together for a while, you want to make it something meaningful. It can be a fine balance and will really depend on your individual situation and what you feel comfortable with.
Just because you’re not drinking doesn’t mean Valentine’s Day can’t be fun and enjoyable. Here are a few sober date ideas to get you started:
- Go out for dinner and a movie. It may seem old-school, but there’s something comforting about sitting in the dark watching the big screen and sharing conversation over a nice meal.
- Create a scavenger hunt that leads your date to places that have been memorable throughout your relationship. Maybe the location of your first date, first kiss, or the store where you accidentally knocked over that display while you were shopping together. The end might be your apartment for a home-cooked meal.
- Take a day trip and explore the sights around you. Finally go to that museum you’ve been thinking about, or on a zip-lining adventure over the treetops. Or maybe you’re content just walking through a quaint town, talking and enjoying the scenery.
- Pack your own picnic dinner and go for a hike or to the beach. Find a cozy spot to cuddle up and get lost in conversation. If the weather’s not cooperating, set up your own picnic inside and have a movie marathon of your favorite flicks.
- Check out events in your community. See if there is live music happening, a poetry slam, a festival, or a comedian. Choose something you’d both enjoy where alcohol is not the focus.
Make Valentine’s Day special while not losing sight of all of the progress you’ve made in addiction recovery. It’s not worth it to risk your sobriety for one day when there are plenty of sober date ideas to put your own romantic twist on.
[cta]Share with us your sober date ideas for Valentine’s Day this year on Facebook.[/cta]