Why You Should Take An Alcohol-Free Vacation
I’ll never forget my first sober vacation. It was a ski trip with my husband.
I had previously attempted an alcohol-free vacation once before, but that didn’t go quite as well as I had hoped. I packed everything I needed (and then some) but what I forgot was a plan.
I just sort of assumed I wouldn’t drink.
I didn’t think ahead about what it would look, feel, or be like. I had no idea what I wanted to get out of it. And at that point on my journey, I was fully reliant on willpower and was ready to just white-knuckle it. Needless to say it didn’t go as planned.
Which is why this week-long ski trip with my husband was going to be my first real sober vacation. Initially, we thought about making it a couples’ trip, inviting friends and making it social. But something in me hesitated. Even with nearly a year of sobriety under my belt, I wasn’t ready for that dynamic. I didn’t want to risk my peace or my progress just to prove I could be “fun” around drinking again. So I set a boundary: "Can we just make this a trip for us?" And of course, my husband was totally on board.
Be Prepared
I was ready to do this. Boundary set. Next up? Make a plan. In the weeks and days leading up to the trip, I thought deeply about the moments that would pop-up throughout the week that were going to be a trigger to my brain to drink.
What would I do when we got to the airport early?
What would I do after a day on the slopes when the Apres Ski would kick-off?
What was my plan if the weather was bad and we couldn’t actually hit the slopes all day long?
What would I say when the resort offered me my welcome drink?
I really had to think through each of these moments and decide for myself what I was going to do. We are talking about full on visioning exercises, friends.
But I can’t stress this enough: do not wait until you are there in the ski lodge with the bartender asking if you want a pour of their seasonal beer on tap to start thinking about what you are going to do!!
That was what got me in trouble last time. But this time I was ready. I had a plan!
I brought plenty of snacks along in my backpack and ordered an overpriced coffee as soon as we got through security.
I confirmed ahead of time with the bar that they had non-alcoholic options
I packed a new book I had been waiting to read, that I knew would be a page turner and I had a whole new season of Married At First Sight to binge watch
And when offered a drink upon arrival I practiced saying aloud - “Sure! I’d love something without alcohol”
What I Asked Myself This Time Around
But the biggest preparation I did this time around, something totally new to me, was asking myself how did I want to feel on this trip?
There was no question. I wanted to feel satisfied, present, and that kind of cozy tiredness you feel after a seriously good exercise. I wanted to return home feeling proud of myself. Accomplished. Relaxed.
What this translated into for me as a sort of focal point, was getting the first chair. I wanted to be up and at it at the crack of dawn and be skiing all day long.
(Happy to report, mission accomplished.)
I knew that to protect my progress, I needed to bring my healthy habits that I had been busy working on at home, along with me. Oftentimes vacation is seen as this time where “anything goes”. Calories don’t count at the beach – or whatever that saying is. My point is, I didn’t want to suddenly let go of the momentum that had been building on all of this work I was doing. That meant keeping parts of my morning routine – and it was HUGE for my successful first sober vacation.
I talked with my husband about it before we left just to make sure we were on the same page. We both knew before we left our house that I would need the first 30 minutes of the day to have some alone time, to sip my coffee, scroll a little on my phone, check in with my dog, do the Wordle, maybe take a solo walk.
The work I was doing completely paid off. I knew ahead of time what I wanted to get out of the trip. I knew what I needed to do to set myself up for success. And I met myself with kindness. There were moments that felt awkward at first, but I navigated those thoughts and feelings and found my way through them.
It was a completely different experience, taking a sober vacation. I was so used to drinking as my way to “relax” and “have fun”. But when I took away the alcohol, I gained something so much better. I was able to be there. Present. I was so surprised at how present I felt. And to this day, I remember so many of the small details of the trip. I felt so much more connected with my husband. We had such a good time. Skied SO much. Ate incredible food. Enjoyed each other's company.
And the best part? I didn’t come home and needed a detox from my vacation. I came home feeling ready to go back to work.
How To Prepare For Your First Sober Vacation
Now if you are starting to prepare for your own first sober vacation, it’s okay to feel a bit nervous. This is new and new things can feel awkward or even a little scary at first. But just imagine how good you are going to feel, returning home with this incredible milestone under your belt — and maybe even a nice tan.
As you prepare for your trip here are a four things to remember:
Build In What Fills You Up
As you are planning your trip, think about what are the things you are most looking forward to. Think about how you want to carry your routine from home into your vacation. Turn your workout routine into an exciting part of the trip – or find a cozy spot where you will do your daily journaling in silence before everyone else wakes up. Talk to your family, friends, partner, kids ahead of time about what your hopes, dreams, and plans are. Make sure there is alignment and that everyone is on board to make it a success.
Make the trip about the experience not the escape
When you are feeling good alcohol-free you are no longer trying to escape. This is a chance to relax, laugh, connect. You can explore new hobbies, sign up for a surf lesson, or lead a yoga class for your friends on the deck. Soak it all in. Write it down.
Be mindful of the narrative
Vacations don’t need alcohol to be relaxing or fun. That’s the old story you used to tell yourself. If and when those thoughts arrive, because they very well might, remind yourself that you are ready to experience a new way of taking a vacation and what that looks like for you. Sure, it might be uncomfortable at first. That’s okay. Growth is uncomfortable. That’s how we grow. You are going to start to see it’s exhilarating when you realize you don’t need alcohol to laugh, connect, dance, or belong.
You are doing something brave!
It’s the beginning of a whole new chapter. You’re not just alcohol-free now. You’re alcohol-free and living. And that’s a big deal.
You’ve got this! Safe travels and enjoy your first sober vacation!
If you are feeling like you could use support as you navigate these sorts of firsts in sobriety, book a free 30-minute sober strategy session with me. In it we will talk about your goals, what it’s like inside my coaching container, and discuss if working together would be a good fit.
Disclosures: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
And remember, Lindsay is a sober coach, not a health professional. If you are chemically dependent on alcohol, consult your doctor on the steps you need to take to safely detox.
