24 Sober Skillz – Yes, That’s Skillz With a ‘Z’ to Learn in 2024

Sobriety allows the time and ability to introduce yourself to new chapters in your life. Illuminate your world and expand your horizons by taking a class at a local community college, or search for a meetup group with other like-minded people in your area! Not a people person? Look these topics up on YouTube and discover something new! As brain cells get healthy again in early sobriety, it’s the perfect time to create new neuro pathways, expose yourself to new endeavors and create new habits. These are actual class offerings from our local community college near my house. Not even kidding, lots of these examples of “Skillz” sound pretty amazing to me.

1. Calligraphy and Hand Lettering: Learn the art of beautiful handwriting and calligraphic lettering. (This would be one of those mind-hand connection things… of course you can find spectacular fonts these days but that’s not the point. They point is to enjoy the art form, you dig?)

2. Survival Skills and Wilderness Preparedness: Like me, do you already know you couldn’t last for 5 minutes on the show “Survivor”? Learn essential survival skills for various outdoor environments… BYO good attitude.

3. Introduction to Glassblowing: A hands-on course teaching the art of shaping molten glass into decorative and functional items.

4. Candle Making: Take it back to the pioneer days and learn to make candles, experimenting with different scents and containers.

5. Voice Acting and Character Voices: An introduction to the art of voice acting, including creating and maintaining character voices. (Even with AI voices, I think this sounds useful for every day life. After all, who doesn’t want to sound more interesting and engaging…especially when presenting potentially boring material?)

6. DIY Tiny Home Building: Covers the basics of designing and constructing a tiny home, with a focus on eco-friendly and sustainable practices. (Real talk: we built a tiny house for one of my teenagers one year to give everyone some breathing room, and it was a great hideout…even for overwhelmed moms.)

7. Beekeeping: Go beyond basic bee knowledge (is that something normal to possess?) and learn the basics of honey making and hive keeping. (OK, I guess It’s the buzz-worthy class you never knew you needed.)

8. Art History 101: An introductory course that explores the evolution of art across different cultures and periods, from ancient times to the modern era. (Throw in a bunch of self-guided field trips to local museums and it sounds like a blast to me!)

9. Basic Car Maintenance: Impress your friends with your newfound ability to change a tire. (True confession? I have changed a tire exactly zero times.)

10. Introduction to Robotics: Robotics 101. Learn the basic mechanics of building robots. (Look, not exactly my personal jam, but it may be yours?)

11. Fermentation and Pickling: Learn the science and art of fermenting and pickling foods at home. (**Sidebar for sober folks: I think it goes without saying, but no fermenting of grapes, mmmkay??!)

12. American Sign Language: Meets foreign language requirements. (Good to know!) 

13. Community Theater: Audition for lead and supporting roles. Or sign up for tech team, costuming and stage hands for the spring play. (Translation: Unleash your inner drama queen in a socially acceptable way.)

14. Ballroom Dancing: Learn the basic waltz, cha cha, swing, and lindy hop amongst others. (Step on toes in a more structured environment.)

15. Personal Finance: Learn how to use online tools for money management and bill paying. (Because “I’m broke” isn’t a fun lifelong mantra.)

16. Steampunk Design and Fashion: A course on the history and design principles of the steampunk aesthetic, including fashion design. (I mean, the clothes hide every body flaw. I’m in.)

17. Artisanal Bread and Pastry Making: A hands-on course in baking a variety of artisanal breads and basic French pastries from scratch. (Sounds like a great idea for someone who likes big buns…) Sorry, I couldn’t leave it alone.

18. Meditation and Mindfulness: Learn the art of doing nothing without feeling guilty.

19. Solar Energy Basics: Learn about solar energy systems, including how to install and maintain solar panels. (Don’t laugh, this sounds lame at first, until you look up the salary of a solar panel installer.)

20. Color Basics: Learn about color matching with skin tones, for interior and exterior house painting, and putting together design boards. (Come on, I know I’m not the only one who was tested by a Mary Kay consultant to see if I was a “spring” or a “summer”, a “fall” or a “winter”! PS Spoiler alert…I don’t remember what I am anymore or how to find out.) Guess I need to take the class.

21. Carpentry Basics: Because IKEA furniture isn’t the only thing you can build. My kids’ school offers a woodworking class and it’s a fantastic brain break in the middle of the day. (Heck, Jesus did it. Soooo, are any additional endorsements needed?)

22. Pet Care: Looking for a low-maintence pet? Basic mammal care including some specialty skills: hampster training, fish feeding and gerbil mating. (You think I’m making this up, I know it.) 

23. Gourmet Mushroom Cultivation: Learn how to grow various gourmet mushrooms, including oyster and shiitake, at home. (I mean, seems like an interesting skill to have? If you like mushrooms? Maybe?)

24. Self-Defense: Learn basic self-defense techniques and protect yourself from danger. (AKA Kick butt…legally)

These classes can be a great way to learn something new, meet people, or add a bit of spice to your routine! After all, who doesn’t need some new skillz with a ‘z’? 🎓🌟🎨🧘‍♂️

CURATED CRAFTS: You got sober; what will you do to keep your hands busy? 

And no, you don’t have to take up knitting. Although, if you enjoy it, get your knit on, homie!

Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being. You may be the next Sober Picasso, or you may be the next big Pinterest Fail. Either way, you’re creatively creating something with your hands and expanding your mind. That’s a great way to relieve stress and express your feelings.

Are you addicted to pinning? Make sure to follow along with us on Pinterest. Maybe crafting is not your jam, but you may love to read. Head to our #QUITLIT section and see what we’ve been reading.

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Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

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