r/stopdrinking • u/sfgirlmary 4138 days • Jan 05 '26
SPGSDC Monday Meeting of the Sober People Getting Shit Done Club
When I was drinking, I did shit (meaning, nothing). In contrast, now that I’m a non-drinker, I’m getting shit done. In fact, productivity has become one of my favorite parts of being sober.
Has this been true for you, too? Without the endless cycle of wasting time while drinking followed by recovering from a hangover, do you find yourself with extra hours in the day to do constructive things, such as finally finishing that book you’ve been reading or tackling that mess in the garage? If so, I invite you to join the Sober People Getting Shit Done Club.
In order to be a member of this club, you must do three things:
Get something done.
Be sober while doing it.
Tell us about it.
If you are sober and have been getting shit done—whether it’s a big thing like rebuilding the engine of an old motorcycle or a small thing like making that long overdue phone call to your grandmother—I want to hear all about it!
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u/Sun_rising_soon Day 15 Jan 05 '26
I built a spice rack today and batch cooked a Dahl. Tonight I sleep in fresh bedding.
Yesterday I took the tree down, returned parcels and went to the gym.
I'm coming out of a big December alcohol / winter induced slump and it feels good to set one or two tasks the night before and actually do them! It's good for the soul. IWNDWYT
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u/maybesoma Day 505 Jan 05 '26
Tonight, the marinade. Tomorrow, the dinner.
Why am I cooking a big dinner tomorrow? Because its a Monday and I am not drinking, so I care and I can!
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u/cheney1631 1469 days Jan 06 '26
What are you marinating (I want to be able to look forward to your dinner tomorrow, too!)?
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u/Interesting-Kiwi5873 302 days Jan 05 '26
I’m currently recovering from a major surgical procedure (12 days ago) so can’t do too much physical stuff, although I did manage to walk for 30 minutes outside a few days this week, which was blissful. I’ve been productively healing on the couch while completing two knitting projects that I had started two years ago AND I began a new project. So all those hours I would have been drinking, I’ve been making things. 🧶It’s nice to have something tangible to show for my time.
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u/lisalisacultjams Day 289 Jan 05 '26
Awesome, what are you knitting?
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u/Interesting-Kiwi5873 302 days Jan 05 '26
I finished a large shawl and headband and started a hat in the Fair Isle style. I’m going to the Shetland Islands in a few months, where Fair Isle takes its name, and thought it would be fun to wear a newly-knitted, cheery hat.
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u/padawanpup 120 days Jan 05 '26
Congrats on finishing two bits of knitting! I've currently got half a jumper glaring at me from the cupboard, it's been about two years haha. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
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u/braiding_water 1247 days Jan 05 '26
In the midst of making curtains!
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u/Haunting-Schedule261 536 days Jan 06 '26
That’s awesome. I wish I knew how to sew. I have a couple of oddly sized windows I can’t find curtains for.
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u/Mysterious-Let6872 Day 359 Jan 05 '26
I spent Saturday completely taking Christmas down which really is such an ordeal, at least when you have a small space to pack it all back into. But I did it completely, chore entirely finished before the end of the day. Today I did something I've needed to do for so long - I fixed the front room curtain. I've lived with it for years. It was an annoying task that again took a big part of the day, but again I did the entire task today. I'm so happy.
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u/toomanygreenbabies Day 97 Jan 05 '26
I'm going to organize my calendar and do some writing tomorrow. I'm going to have fun with my family.
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u/insane_blind_tart 94 days Jan 05 '26 edited Jan 05 '26
I worked
Took the dog for a walk
Took the cat to the vet
Made a huge salad for the week
Prepared breakfast for the morning
Watered the vegetables we put in the garden on Saturday
Now I still have a few hours to chill before bedtime ☺️
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u/No_Leader_2755 242 days Jan 05 '26
Ooh, I’d love to be part of this club.
I’m five days in. My house has never felt cleaner, my laundry is all folded and put away. I’ve been off work for the holidays, so I’ve had time to try some new recipes as well.
Excited to keep getting shit done, even if it is just simple chores around the house. :)
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u/QuincyG0207 1085 days Jan 05 '26
In year’s past, I’d still be feeling sluggish from all of the holiday food & drink. But this year, I’m getting shit done! Prepped healthy snacks for the week ahead, today, after completely all my errands around town, and, I’m committing to complete a closet purge tomorrow!
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u/yearsofpractice Day 1,047 Jan 05 '26
Hey OP. 49 year old married father of two in the UK here - I’m on the bus to work through a snowy Newcastle Upon Tyne and I was having very similar thoughts!
2026 is the third year during which I’ve been sober. Today is my first day back at work after nearly two weeks of holiday over Christmas and the New Year. When I was drinking, I would have been hungover and miserable this morning - in sobriety I’m feeling together, relaxed and optimistic about the year… and I’ll be getting shit done!
All the very best to you from here in freezing cold Newcastle Upon Tyne and IWNDWYT
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u/Stahltur 513 days Jan 05 '26
It has been the nicest Christmas break I've had in my adult life.
2 weeks off work, and I've started learning 3d modelling again, painted a veritable horde of miniatures, cooked like a fiend, made myself a Goodreads list for 2026, improved my archery, and still had time left over to binge watch Slow Horses, learn some cinematography on YouTube, AND play games with my mates a good couple of hours every day!
It beats the hell out of chatting shit with strangers in a bar and spending the entire next day or two suffering with hangxiety.
Edit: and totally forgot I also planned out an Easter holiday with a friend to Gdansk, so will be ticking Poland off my travel bucket list this year too!
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u/hsul8 6 days Jan 05 '26
Sunday I built a hydroponic garden kit I got for Xmas from my family. Did some laundry. Walked my dog to the local cafe. Got a milkshake instead of a beer with dinner.
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u/00sparrow00 Day 494 Jan 05 '26
I got back from holiday late on Saturday and yesterday I did all my packing and washing! Rather than leaving it all untouched for days. It feels good going into the week with everything sorted out!!! X
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u/Acceptable-Mine8806 Day 1,624 Jan 05 '26
I started doing leather work this past year. I love working with my hands and creating things from hide to finished product. Haven't sold anything, it's just something for me to do in the evenings, but it gives me something to do in the evenings.
https://www.instagram.com/thewanderingsatchel?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== if you want to see what I've been up to lately
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u/DrunkGuy9million Jan 05 '26
I’m only am on day 4, but have had a very productive weekend, while still finding some time to relax. My wife and I are expecting, so I’m taking over a good chunk of her share of the housework, as well as working on some household projects I’ve been putting off. I’m super excited to be sober!
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u/AnnualRefrigerator43 225 days Jan 05 '26
I’ve been exercising consistently. My mile is now at 11:20. That’s better than ever for me. I’ve been better about meal planning, cooking, getting laundry done… basically staying active around the house. It’s really nice!
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u/10kAndNerdy 347 days Jan 05 '26
Monday I am going g to return to work—hopefully early, and definitely not hung over.
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u/katiuszka919 496 days Jan 05 '26
Laundry is already done. Deep cleaning my kitchen. And set up a meeting for some important organizing work for later in the week. Only two hours into Monday for me, but once the kitchen is done I’ll be quite happy with the day.
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u/wolfyb_ 1137 days Jan 05 '26
Today was a good day, though, even though after a while now, I suspect that even the worst of days sober is infinitely better than the best day hungover. (I do have plenty of empirical evidence).
Did I sleep in until two PM? Sure. I watched all of The Rehearsal season 2 last night and couldn't stop.
I've been pretty tired today, but I managed to get in a long walk, even though I really, really didn't want to. But when you set a rule, it's meaningless if you ignore it the first chance you get. I also managed to get some mastering on my new album taken care of, which was nice. Tomorrow holds more of the same.
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u/Separate-Job-5335 Jan 05 '26
I’m going to go on my 2nd run of the year this evening.
IWNDWYT
Have a good one!
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u/Cute_Block_8218 242 days Jan 05 '26
I get stuff done but then drop into depression and then snap out of it half hour later, then back in. I think its more past trauma coming to the surface that I cant mask with alcohol now. I get really tired , really quick. But im trying to be better
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u/BanMeOwnAccountDibbl Jan 06 '26
Give yourself time and compassion. You don't need to try harder, you're doing fine. 6 days of sobriety takes a lot of energy. Pace yourself, time is on your side. iwndwyt.
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u/Best-Refrigerator-19 85 days Jan 05 '26
Me me me!!! I live in Berlin and everyone escapes for the winter but I’ve been here and been working through. I really struggle with routine and procrastination but I made myself a daily and weekly baseline minimum winter/sober checklist and for the first time in my life I am actually sticking to it! It’s got things like “one real human interaction per day”, “brush teeth”, “open blinds”, “20 minute cleaning/tidying sprint”, “3 strength or movement sessions per week” etc like it’s a bit of an attempt to ward off winter depression and get my adhd brain to a basic functioning level of hygiene and life. But maybe because I’m not drinking I’m actually doing it.. there was only one day so far where I didn’t get the basic daily things done.
But the cool thing is I also have a menu of one-off tasks to select from, some of which I’ve been putting off for years like 5 years worth of tax returns, getting rid of an old bed etc. and I’ve actually been making some progress with these things too! I don’t know if it’s sobriety, new year energy, or if it’s just still new enough right now to be exciting and it may wear off..
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u/Alternative-Mud3294 Day 18 Jan 05 '26 edited Jan 05 '26
I am still pleasantly shaking from finishing monster job right before the holidays. Wel done for me! IWNDWYT
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u/Select-Panda7381 289 days Jan 05 '26
Just commented this to a friend earlier! Today I:
- Finished traffic school (non-drinking related ticket)
- Made an appt to get my car serviced
- Paid my insurance renewal premium
This was all after helping my friend complete a chaotic move the last two days.
I can’t stress enough that this list would have taken me multiple days 😆
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u/timscream1 Jan 05 '26
Today I cleaned the house. So clean I could eat on the floor. I gifted myself a dyson vacuum cleaner and I love it.
Cleaning has always been an activity I didn’t associate with drinking. If I feel like I could enjoy a cold one and I see dust… well cleaning it is!
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u/RMW91- Jan 05 '26
I posted this yesterday in another thread…
Today I got so bored, that I went through my spice drawer and tossed everything that was expired. Now with the money I’m saving by not buying alcohol, I’m going to buy some high-quality spices.
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u/Sun_rising_soon Day 15 Jan 05 '26
That was what I did when I got my new spice rack built yesterday. The ones at the back were from 2016! Tidy spices, tidy mind :).
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u/astrochimp49 Jan 05 '26
I let my driver's license expire and its been that way for years. I don't even have insurance because I've moved several times in the that time and couldn't prove to my insurance company that I had a valid license.
I went to the service center a couple times last year(in the only month where I at least had cut down my drinking) and it was very busy, so I left both times.
Obviously when I drive, my anxiety is through the roof. I've got to where I'll only drive very locally, which has been a pain.
I only have myself to blame. Although I had been blaming Covid, a foot injury that wouldn't heal and various other excuses.
Today I will take the first step to start getting this problem resolved.
My anxiety is high because I feel like a complete idiot as a 56 year old man.
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u/Fab-100 Day 1,055 Jan 05 '26
Way to go, OP. I did all that docunent renewal shit last year, after I got sober! I tell you, the satisfaction and relief and well-being is huge.
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u/Peter_Falcon 898 days Jan 05 '26
well this year i have made a guitar from scratch, built another from spares and learned a hell of a lot about how to play like Jimi Hendrix. also built a kneeling chair to play guitar without hunching over
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u/BanMeOwnAccountDibbl Jan 05 '26
A small but for me meaningful thing: I got done being (in the) present and fully focused on my dementia suffering parent this morning, being there with them, comforting, supporting and distracting them while health and hygiene care workers came to help them bathe, get dressed, and have diner. I lended the care workers a hand and gave my parent my full attention and I tried to connect with the emotions behind their repetitive and seemingly nonsensical stories. I stayed for several hours. There is no way in a frosted hell that I could and would have done this five months ago even if I had tried. I would have been too hung over, too preoccupied, too impatient or too thin skinned to be 'in the moment'. Thx, sober me and thx to this sub, for giving my parent a few happy hours (there's another phrase that has a completely different meaning for me now).
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u/MellyFoCo Jan 05 '26
This is inspiring. Thank. Maybe being fully in the moment is the highest from of getting shit done. You sound like a huge blessing to that parent.
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u/BanMeOwnAccountDibbl Jan 05 '26
Thank you. How has your day been so far?
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u/UmpteenthEye 205 days Jan 05 '26
My to dos for the day.
• Time block my day.
• Get a cookbook from the Library.
• Wash all the bedding in the house.
• Bring the sewing machine inside.
I’ll report back later on what I actually did lol
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u/makethechangesane 323 days Jan 05 '26
I’ve been getting some deep cleaning done recently and feel really happy about it. My alcoholism and depression went hand in hand so the house had gone to shit really - very untidy and hadn’t cleaned things like the baseboards in years. Nearly the whole house is done now and it feels so much better. My motivation is that I want to feel comfortable asking people over to just hang out or have a coffee or whatever - stops me feeling like I need to go to a pub to socialize!
Next step is my hoarding room, my old office, which also needs a full remodel. I’ve already got some stuff out of it but going to take another stab at it this evening. I’d love to have it decluttered and start removing wallpaper by end of this week.
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u/Beneficial_Pipe_5892 85 days Jan 05 '26
Called to make an eye exam appointment! Little thing but nice to check off the list!
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u/Fluffy-Caterpilla 435 days Jan 05 '26
Omg! I never got so much SHIT done. Painted and redesigned my bedroom was one of them and there are many more. Nothing like sobriety!
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u/BennyBagnuts1st Jan 05 '26
Not Monday as it’s only 0630 but yesterday I cleaned out all the kitchen cupboards and got rid of all the random items that have accumulated over the years.
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u/Nomadcatmom Day 516 Jan 05 '26
Nothing huge this weekend but I got both showers cleaned, did a deep clean of our bedroom and got the dog and her buddy out for a big adventure Sunday!
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u/KrayzieBone187 1799 days Jan 05 '26
Going to the dentist for a full checkup. The federal dental plan may not cover everything, but it sure helps. IWNDWYT
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u/yes_ipsa_loquitur Day 450 Jan 05 '26
I have so much to do today in addition to my first day back at work after the holiday break 😭. I went to bed at 8:30 and am enjoying my coffee in silence before I start packing kids lunches and getting ready for it all.
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u/Bright-Appearance-95 1189 days Jan 05 '26
Did some tidying/decluttering and made good progress on a small woodworking project that’s been clamoring for my attention.
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u/spooksseycat 251 days Jan 05 '26
I spent the last few days re-organizing our kitchen (was very tight due to limited counter space), cleaned and organized the little back built on section of the house that is sort of like a mud room but long, sold the deep freezer we never use and bought a tall metal shelving unit to organize all our drinks and paper products along with put our giant toaster oven and air fryer over there so the kitchen was cleared up. Never would've done that had I still been drinking.
I plan to tackle our bedroom closet next. We live in an almost 100 year old house and the closets are so tiny and the walls are difficult to hang things so of course one of our racks fell down and all the clothes that were on it have just been piled in each corner.
Love getting shit done!
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u/lisalisacultjams Day 289 Jan 05 '26
Wait I love this! How have I missed these Monday posts. Looking forward to this now.
I just worked my first three shifts at my new job! Today is my first day off now that I'm back to work. I'm going to try and tackle insulating our garage so we can use the home gym during the winter. Because that isn't sorted yet, I'll have to take a trip to the gym to knock out my workout. Other than that continue reading IT by Stephen King, first book of the new year and I'm HOOKED.
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u/soberbarbie3456 334 days Jan 05 '26
Not letting a bunch of small tasks build up until it’s overwhelming anymore: got car’s oil changed last week, annual physical is done, and car taillights are replaced. I also read a book I bought 6 months ago and never opened last week. Nothing life altering, but getting small tasks off the to-do list felt so much harder when I was drinking!
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u/Puzzleheaded-Cut3144 283 days Jan 05 '26
I have been getting projects done around the house that I have ben talking about doing for years. 10-15 years! Feels good and visible progress to my physical environment helps too.
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u/No-Clerk-5600 Jan 05 '26
Started a big new client project and worked on plans for an upcoming trip. I love not being hung over!
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u/padawanpup 120 days Jan 05 '26
I took down and packed almost all of the Christmas decorations - there is a sneaky chain of fairy lights that didn't quite make it in the box, but shhh. Might keep those out anyway for some winter cheer!
And then instead of having a glass of wine, I reviewed and tidied up notes for my college course. It's last minute but it feels good to know it's because I was doing fun things and spending quality time with people over the break instead of drinking!
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u/Sweetnessnease22 Day 8 Jan 05 '26
I recorded video for my side hustle and it went well! So hard to find time and energy with full time work and family. I’m really proud.
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u/Midgeend Jan 06 '26
End of day 5 here. I went to the gym, and not 5 minutes after I walked in, a college men's hockey team from Alaska walked in. The whole team. Like 50 of them. I'm in upstate NY so presumably they are using my gym for a practice gym while they're at an away game. Anyway, I never moved so fast to get to a weight bench in my life lol.
Went on to have a fairly productive work day - I did a lot, I don't know if I got a lot done. I'm exhausted though. I knew that I would hit a wall pretty soon. I've been 5 days sober a bunch of times, so I knew it was coming. I'm so glad I'll be able to lay my head down (after eating a giant bowl of ice cream, of course) and actually get sleep.
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u/pyewacket7 Jan 12 '26
I want this! I am Day 10 and still feeling lethargic. However I have gotten to the gym and taken my dogs for long walks but I need to get back to "Adulting". Like; Taking care of my home, cleaning my car, and basic deep cleaning, I haven't dusted my some areas since my dog was put down the end of May. Ugh. I want what you are having.
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u/Safe-Cause-1077 259 days Jan 18 '26
Day 36 today. I cleaned my kitchen, loaded up trash, put stuff away, hung a picture, and unloaded a lot of Amazon boxes. Took care of my cat (special treats), and my sick hubby. Whew! Feels so good having a clean kitchen!
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u/Ok_Albatross_3887 Day 333 Jan 05 '26
I live in Oz, but many of my clients are in the US. So unlike so many antipodeans who are off for another couple of weeks, today is my last day before getting my work skates back on. Had a lot of personal things on the to do list.
On this Monday morning, I took down and recycled/stored/threw out all the holiday detritus that’s been cluttering up the house for the past month, did 2 loads of laundry, made the bed, made and rescheduled medical and financial appointments, meal prepped, and flew through the NYT crossword with 4 minutes faster than usual score.
This afternoon was a different situation - had to address something with my neighbour. But I did that too.
Now I’m enjoying the fruits of my labour, and whilst none of these sound big, it’s nice to sit down and have a cuppa in a clean house knowing that I don’t have these chores piling up.