Wellness 24th January 2025 by Ava Grace

Things To Do This Weekend That Don’t Involve Alcohol

You don't need to be drunk to have fun

via Pexels

If you are anything like me, the thought of drinking after the Christmas period sends shivers down your spine.

Now in saying that I haven’t committed to dry January or any other sobriety challenges. I like to give myself the flexibility that if something came up or I just wanted to I could have a drink.

However, this month has me seriously thinking about all of the other ways that I can spend my free time – without alcohol. I’m a social butterfly and need plans to fill my spare time, so here is what I’ve come up with.

Pottery painting

If you are looking to get creative a pottery painting studio is an ideal way to show off your artistic flair while catching up with friends.

These studios offer a range of painting sessions for different-sized groups whether that’s a couple or a work party. You can pick whatever ceramic you prefer and paint it however you like – it’s very wholesome.

Pottery studios are based around the country but our favourite is Potteria in Cork City.

@shonacallinan Cutest idea🥹🎨 @Potteria Cork #fyp #thingstodo #potterypainting #corkcity ♬ Kemuel Kulosa cover sped up version – Kemuel

Bowling

Get your bowling shoes on! It’s a classic for a reason.

Gather your friends and head to your nearest bowling alley for an evening of competitive fun. It’s easy, affordable and accessible in most places but we adore LeisurePlex in Dublin and Cork.

Book Club

For all of my book lovers or anyone looking to get into reading, this is your sign to join a book club. Not only will it motivate you to read more but you will also get a much better understanding and insight into what you are reading.

Hearing how others interpret a novel can completely transform how you think about the book. It’s also such a lovely way to meet people with a similar interest to you.

Your town or city most likely has one but if not, set up your own!

@bri.petersen The girlies are reading in 2024 🫶🏼🕯️🤍📖 • #bookclubtiktok #bookclub #bookclubideas #girlsnight #bowaesthetic ♬ Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer

Make a vision board

This is the perfect activity for the beginning of the year. Creating a vision board allows you to visualise a set idea of what you are hoping to achieve and essentially helps make it a reality.

It creates clear goals and values in your life which in turn makes it easier to focus on them. You can make a vision board digitally or physically by gathering pictures of your ‘dream life’ and making a collage.

Zumba

In my opinion, Zumba is one of the most underrated fitness classes. If you enjoy music and dancing, you will absolutely love this form of exercise. It is genuinely so much fun, and it does not feel like a workout.

However, you still get a good workout, which is really the best of both worlds. If you are looking to get into a good fitness routine this year, you must start Zumba. Classes take place in Kingfisher Gyms around the country, or most fitness centres.

@alaynajcurry Replying to @Vicky Lopez #zumba #zumbafitness #zumbapeople #zumbacrew #zumbaclass #zumbabelike #zumbainstructor ♬ Gasolina – Latin Flow

Upskill

If you are looking to improve your qualifications why not pick up a part-time course in something that could improve your career or side hustle? For example, if you have always wanted to learn how to do nails, invest in learning about it and getting a qualification.

The skill is invaluable and you could earn back the money if you started taking clients. You could also use platforms such as Skillshare to help you do this from home.

 

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A post shared by Monika Mrózek (@monika__nails)

Escape rooms

This is another brilliant idea for a group of friends. Your nearest city is most likely going to have an escape room and they are SO worth going to.

The puzzles might frustrate you in the moment but finally cracking the code will seriously boost your confidence. The escape rooms in Drogheda are deadly.

Brush up on your As Gaeilge

Or any language! Most of us have learned some other language throughout school that we probably completely neglected as soon as we left.

Using Irish in your everyday life is back so definitely start picking up a few phrases. TikTok accounts like Laura Pakenham’s are a great place to start!

@laurajpakenham úsáid do chuid gaeilge 💚 #gaeilge #irishtiktok #gaeilgetiktok #gaeilgeoir #irishlanguage #irishlanguagecontent #irishlanguagelearning #irishlanguagecontentcreator ♬ original sound – laura pakenham 🦋

Join a run club

Or, rather than join a huge run club, you and your friends could decide to meet up once a week and go on a run at your own pace.

Then afterwards you could all go to your favourite cafe and have a catch up with a coffee and a pastry. Sound like a plan?

@benedicteking Since you guys enjoyed my last one a lot, here’s another 6am run club vlog from today👟➰ 〰️ my top is from @lululemon, 〰️ shoes are Cloudmonster from @On 〰️ shorts are from @Nike #dailyvlog #runninggirl #runningvlog #runninglifestyle #runningaesthetic #runninginspiration #onrunning #onrunningshoes ♬ Stunnin’ (feat. Harm Franklin) (Explicit) – Curtis Waters