By Becky McBoom

As a perpetual Social Butterfly with a chronic case of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), skipping the “drinks with friends” outings because I didn’t want to be at a bar seemed undoable. I found it easier to redirect these outings by proposing an alternative idea, such as going for coffee or for a hike. I found that my friends and family were more interested in spending time with me than drinking. Drinking was just an excuse for all of us to get together.

Today, we’d like you to come up with a list of non-drinking social activities that you enjoy and would feel comfortable proposing as an alternative to grabbing a drink at the local bar. Keep this list somewhere accessible so that you can draw from it when the time comes. Here is my list which I keep in a note on my phone:

• Get coffee
• Go for a hike
• Go to a local festival 
• Board game night
• Escape Room
• Camping
• Movie Night 
• Bowling