Sober curious? Here's how to make alcohol-free living ridiculously fun

The sobriety culture is gaining momentum, with young people increasingly experimenting with a sober lifestyle either out of personal belief or lived experience.

Others lean towards sober curiosity, where they start to question their drinking choices, adopt low-alcohol lifestyles, or think of a life without alcohol.

The reasons to stay sober or reduce imbibing intake vary from one individual to another.

The most common ones are diminished desire for alcohol, physical and mental health, alcohol dependency concerns, or being affected or knowing someone who was affected by alcohol. 

But can sobriety ever be fun? Here, sociologist Dr Kiemo Karatu pushes against the assumption that pleasure only depends on intoxication.

“Happiness comes from within. People who abstain can still find joy in social spaces where alcohol flows and not partake in it,” he notes.

Here are some of the ways to relish in a sober lifestyle.

Go to sober raves.

Sober raves are making the new waves in Nairobi’s contemporary scene.

These are dance parties or music events where alcohol isn’t served, pushing for the soft clubbing trend that’s finding its place in the city. 

Nani’s Café Party and Ambeats provide alcohol-free daytime meetups for revelers. In these kinds of events, music, soft drinks like coffee and mocktails, conversations, and social activities take center stage.

Sample soft drinks

A slow rise of sober spaces is being witnessed, and they offer ‘cool’ drinking options.

Similarly, you can start your own sobriety journey by trying out the soft drinks that different joints offer. It’ll surprise you what fun options exist, and this makes each experience feel new, playful and joyful instead of limiting.

Make sober sips.

Explore the wellness mixology by crafting your own drinks at home that you have never tried before.

Try out herbal teas and mixes, mocktails, and wellness drinks like ginger shots and fruit blends, or brew your own coffee – all these recipes are available online. 

Explore new interests.

Dr Karatu explains that non-drinkers pursue alcohol-free hobbies they find interesting, like swimming, picnics, and hiking, and do them with others.

Tag along with your swimming mate, a gym buddy, or a hiking group to create a sense of community.

Start your sober challenge.

Invest your energy to actively cultivate activities that nourish you. Instead of reaching for a drink, use that time to rediscover joy in meaningful moments.

Suggestions include Sober October and including people in your circle who can create accountability and support or are on the same journey as you.

Celebrate the small milestones and improvements you notice for replacing the urge to indulge in alcohol.