When I firstquit drinkingI thought I was inadvertently signing up for a death sentence on everything I loved.
Life was one big adrenaline rush fueled by booze-filled all-nighters.
I was known to be the last woman standingand was rather proud of it.
Carly Benson
One day that lifestyle caught up with me, leaving me riddled withanxiety, shame, and total exhaustion.
What was once fun turned into more of a nightmarish Groundhog Day.
I dropped to my knees in prayer.
That fateful day was over ten years ago.
As you’re free to imagine, life as I knew it drastically changed.
I live in Las Vegas, one of the most famous party destinations in the world.
If youre seeking the party, youll surely find it.
If youre seeking wellness and conscious experiences, then thats also what youll find.
Maybe yourenewly soberand worried about taking your first trip without alcohol.
Heres what Ive learned in my 10 years of livingand travelingwhile sober:
1.
Set your intention before you even get your boarding pass.
Sometimes the hardest part of traveling is the anticipation in our minds of what it will be like.
If it helps, remember that FOMO is much easier to deal with than ahangoverfrom hell.
Be over-prepared for a triggering airport experience.
First things first, dont sit at the bar at the airport, even if you are alone.
Get a table and order water or a seltzer straightaway.
Once you board the plane, give yourself a silent round of applause because youre halfway there.
Plan morning activities that will make you question what you do the night before.
So I researched someyogastudios around the flat I was renting and picked out some classes to take.
Stay connected to your support system.
you could also set up alliances with other sober people you know in the city where youll be.
Finally, dont feel guilty for needing certain accommodations or wanting to make certain tweaks to the itinerary.
Plan for a mix of structure and spontaneity.
Its OK, and in fact necessary, to do your own thing at times.
I used to seek parties over culture and alcohol over, well, everything when I traveled.
That is, until I quit drinking and my priorities shifted.
When you change what you look for, the things you look for change.
Its funny how your priorities shift when catching a buzz isnt at the top of your to-do list.
View your trip as an opportunity for relaxing, recharging, and all of theself-care.
Consider this the antidote to that I need a vacation from my vacation feeling.
So often our vacations revolve around partying, which tend to leave us feeling exhausted instead of refreshed.
All that money saved can go towards a massage or facial.
Spa-ing is a staple of sober vacations that can completely transform the focal point of your trip.
Research the local scene and culture ahead of time so you might make a list of your must-do activities.
It was a news flash when I realized there were sights to see beyond the pool bar.
Overall, remember to stay committed to giving yourself the perspective of seeing a new place with clear eyes.
Let yourself have a great time knowing you dont need alcohol to do it.
