Service work quickly became a cornerstone of my sobriety. In those early days, I made a simple commitment: if there was a chance to help someone else in recovery, I’d show up and say yes. That choice shaped my first year sober—and still keeps me grounded today.

In early sobriety, the questions feel endless. What do you do with all the time drinking used to take? How do you calm the constant chatter in your head? How do you get through one more day without picking up a drink? The truth is, there isn’t one perfect formula. Early sobriety looks different for everyone, but these are the practices, distractions, and routines that helped me stay on track in those fragile first weeks and months.

Why the things you once loved can become anchors in sobriety In 2014, when I first set out on my voyage to sobriety, I found myself...