Set near the eastern coast of Texas, Houston is a beautiful city. Home to over 2 million people, Space City is known for its rich cultural heritage, art and museum scene, Tex-Mex cuisine, and the it sports the country’s biggest total acreage of parkland in a populous city, making it not only an urban metropolis, but a town filled with the sounds and sights of nature.
If you made Houston your home, then you have chosen a grand city to live in. There’s much to see, and just as much to do. However, living in a city like this means it can be easily taken for granted. Don’t let the opportunity to take in this city pass you by and take advantage of it – especially for sobriety.
To someone struggling with addiction, very little matters. Life is a battle between highs and lows – until you step out of the cycle and find yourself in a completely different kind of life. A life that gives you the time and the ability to enjoy things the way they are, and not dread every waking moment spent away from your next fix.
Life can be many things – in fact, it can be a little bit of everything. At first, that’s frightening. Abstinence comes with the challenges of abruptly taking responsibility for yourself, finding work, and fitting into society. But it also comes with the ability to enjoy a nice day, play a game, and spend time with the people you love in a city filled with things to do.
If you’re looking for a way to spend your time while living sober in Houston, then have no worries. There’s no shortage of things to check out.
Enriching Your Day In Houston
Let’s take this a step at a time. Houston is a big city, with over 80 neighborhoods, and countless wonderful places to live. Yet when it’s time to explore and see just how you can spend your newfound time outside of work and home, you might come to see that there’s more to this city than meets the eye. We’ll go over a few ways you can meet new people, make friends, gather experiences, and try things out in Houston.
Join A Class
The quickest and best way to spend some time and meet new people is through a learning experience. Classes come in all shapes and sizes, for anything and everything.
From cooking classes to pottery workshops or fitness events, there’s no shortage of new and upcoming classes to help you find your passion, hone existing skills, or just find people to talk to and share interests with.
Try Out New Food
While Houston is undoubtedly famous for its Tex-Mex cuisine, there’s much more this city has to offer – even if you have picky taste buds. The city offers something from every corner of the globe – you don’t have to pay for an expensive travel ticket and plan a whole vacation to get a bite of something completely new and different.
Learn A New Skill
Outside of hobbies or experiences, going to a class or school for a brand new professional skill or to pursue a new vocation can be a great use of your time, and a good way to find more work out of rehab. Honest skilled labor, from welding to electrical repairs and mechanical work, is extremely valuable in a bustling and industrious city like Houston.
It’s not just that learning new things is a productive and potentially fulfilling use of your time. Learning is important for rehabilitation after addiction, as most drug abuse leaves the brain diminished in terms of cognition. Staying sharp can help you regain your full mental faculties.
Experiencing The City Of Houston
Of course, you can take a class in electrical engineering or take a bite of a delicious meal anywhere in the country. So, what makes Houston the great city it is? There’s no one thing to point out – like any city, it has its charms and problems, pros and cons. But there are many unique aspects to Houston, including its affinity to nature and its numerous nearby getaways.
Check Out The Bayou
Stretching over 50 miles into Galveston Bay, the Buffalo Bayou features rich greenery and passes by many of the city’s landmarks, including the Houston Memorial Park. It’s also the historic site of Houston’s founding, and a common outdoor recreation spot.
Visit Houston’s Museums
In Houston, it seems like there’s a museum for everyone. From the Museum of Fine Arts, to the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Children’s Museum, the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Menil Collection and the famous “Garage Mahal”, Houston is well-versed in preserving its heritage and showing the world its cultural roots. More than just a place for interesting art, Houston’s museum scene offers a little bit of everything – places to have fun, places to learn, places to be inspired, and places to experience. Depending on what you’re in the mood for, there’s bound to be a place for you to go.
Spend A Day At The Zoo
As beautiful as art and culture can be, there’s more to Houston than the human element. Home to sanctuaries, wildlife preserves and national parks, Houston has a considerable animal population, and a world-class zoo.
The Little Things In Life
We’ve covered life-changing experiences and unique city attractions – but sometimes, it’s the little things that we miss the most. When’s the last time you sat down and watched people whilst sipping a hot cup of coffee? Or enjoyed a relatable song, without drugs? Here are a couple suggestions for taking in Houston’s beauty while sober.
Take A Stroll Through Nature
Home to acres upon acres of preserved natural landscapes, Houston is one of the best cities in the country for enjoying relaxing walks through nature. Pick any park, on any sunny day, and just walk for a bit. You don’t need much rhyme or reason. Walking outdoors can help you clear your head, arrange your thoughts, and help you sort things out with yourself.
Go Somewhere You Haven’t Gone Before
It’s a big city, with millions of people, and countless things to do. Instead of going back to old routines or revisiting your usual old hangout spots, make it a point to explore Houston in a way you never have before, and see it from a completely different perspective.
If you’re looking for a good city to get sober, then Houston is an excellent choice. The blend of cultures and the duality between nature and urban life make this a city where you can always see something new.