10 ways to get through Sober October (Ocsober) and actually enjoy It

October rolls around and suddenly your feed is full of people pledging to stay Sober in October.   Maybe you’ve decided to join in, maybe you’re just curious, or maybe you’re wondering how on earth you’ll get through a month without your usual glass of wine at the end of the day.

Here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be boring, and it’s definitely not about what you’re missing out on.  Think of it as a spring reset, a chance to try new things, save a bit of money, and actually enjoy your Sunday mornings!  Here are ten ideas to make it fun, practical, and maybe even a little surprising.

1. Find your signature alcohol-free drink

Skip the sad soda water.  Try kombucha, protein water, fancy cola or even sparkling water with fresh herbs and fruits.   Think back to your favourite childhood drinks for inspiration and try some new ones at home and out. Stock your fridge like you’re expecting guests!

2. Try a bath house or sauna

Bath houses are everywhere right now and for good reason.  They’re basically a wellness party for your body, hot pools, saunas, cold plunges. It’s the perfect alternative to a Saturday night out.

3. Get outside! Spring is here!

After winter, October is prime time to stretch your legs.  Go for a hike, hit the beach, or even just walk around your suburb.  Movement feels a whole lot better when you’re not dragging a hangover around.

4. Halloween prep (kids or not)

Pumpkin carving, spooky playlists, or going all-in on a ridiculous costume, Halloween is more fun when you can actually remember it.  Lean into the silly.

5. Write down one thing you’re grateful for

Don’t overcomplicate it. Open your Notes app and jot one thing each day you’re grateful for, even if it’s just “coffee.”  It’s a simple way to see how this month shifts your perspective.

6. Buy yourself a new book 

We all have that book gathering dust on the bedside table.  Make this the month you actually open it. Pair it with your favourite alcohol-free drink and call it your new ritual.

7. Plan one night out that’s not about drinking

Movie marathon, trivia night, board game night, including a late night uber eats ice cream order.  Amplify your sober nights with some fun inclusions.

8. Cook a spooky Halloween recipe

Ditch the boring dinner and make something ridiculous and on-theme: pumpkin soup, skeleton cookies, or even a “blood red” pasta. It’s festive, it’s fun, and it gives you an excuse to post it.

9. Do a “Hello Sunday Morning” flex

This is the underrated perk.  Wake up early on a Sunday, clear-headed, and do something you’d never normally do: farmers’ market, sunrise swim, even just having coffee in silence. Nothing feels more rebellious than enjoying a Sunday morning hot girl walk while everyone else is hungover.

10. Reward yourself with the savings

Alcohol isn’t cheap.  Track what you would’ve spent this month and redirect it, new shoes, concert tickets, a night at a nice hotel. Make the benefits visible, not abstract. Celebrate your achievements.

Sober October doesn’t have to feel like punishment.  Think of it as trading one kind of fun for another, the kind you actually remember.  Whether it’s journaling in your Notes app, hosting a Trivia night, or finally reading that book, pick a couple of ideas from this list and make them your own.

Who knows? By the time November rolls around, you might find a few of these habits stick.