Alternative to Drinking During Free Time for PE Aso
Hi all,
Currently a Second Yr Aso at a PE firm. I have started to realize that all of my free time, since my first year in banking, has been spent drinking booze (mostly alone in my apartment). Not sure why? I’m usually too tired, stressed, lazy, and (I guess) somewhat depressed. I’ve recently stopped seeing my fwb and really don't want to get back on the apps.
Any alternatives that are relatively easy on the mind / body, but still worthwhile and self-developing, that I could do with my limited free time?
Cheers!
League of legends is a fun, non-addictive way to make friends and let off steam!
You could also try crack.
This hits a little too close to home...
This explains so much
Non addictive? Cope
Dude, just start working out or pick up running
Squash
Might just need to set the rule that you don't keep alcohol in your apartment - or at least that you only drink "socially", not alone
I would develop some hobbies. Whether that's a workout class/running, cooking/baking, aquarium keeping, etc. I have friends that do pottery class once a week. Literally just try all of the hobbies until you find a few that stick.
I also got a dog and while it's not a great snap decision / takes some figuring out with a tough work schedule, it does get me out of the house quite a bit
Yep, no alcohol in the apartment and no drinking alone was the only way I kicked the college-level drinking (basically alcoholism). Now I only drink socially and have a lot more energy for real hobbies. Personally thinking of signing up for the classpass trial this month and learning some physical activity I don’t know how to do.
My current favorite hobby is walking around with no directions just vibes. Usually end up somewhere cool and hang out for a bit before I take the subway back to my apt. Has been refreshing after I got bored of all the video games in my backlog.
Tbh just walking around is amazing, it's great with 1-2 friends especially to shoot the shit and walk around an interesting area. I have a friend that's an architect, so me, him, and another friend pick a neighborhood that same something interesting about it and just walk around and then either end up at a bar for a drink or park or whatever. It's really relaxing and a good way to get a breath of semi-fresh air, as well as getting your steps in. Walking by yourself can be great too if the weather is nice, get a good podcast in and just walk around. I love it.
That was me with weed in banking and I agree with the above to set rules for not drinking alone etc., but I think it's also important to recognize that it's also probably a reflection of your mental state. I've since mostly quit but sometimes still feel the need to smoke and when I look back at those times in my life when I was using frequently, it was obvious why- I was miserable and bored.
Working out and getting fit is definitely a good start but I think an even better one is to reach out to some friends and go for a run/walk/do a social activity. I found that building a social life makes it so that I prefer to be sober to have good conversations and present for the people I care about.
P.S. definitely stay off the apps till you feel ready- that's also a whole can of worms you don't wanna open until you're in the right mental state
Work out / do some activity, read non-finance books, join some club, play video games (better than getting drunk alone), learn another language, blow-up doll.... The list goes on bud.
Why did your hook up dump you? You gaining weight? Huh chubbs?
Yeah nice one Mr. Sell-side, don’t forget you and your boss twerk for my firm’s mandates and fees
And you twerk for LP’s money… don’t act like you’re any different
You think I care about my firm or anything like that?
Im just skating by until I can retire via my own investments or dad and father in law finally give me enough to retire.
Working in PE make you feel superior to me? Thats fine. Having a pretty wife and not being alone and dead on the inside makes me feel superior to you lol.
Bruh why be tough on a guy who's down on his luck / not in the best state?
Read his post bro.
First he mentions he’s in PE for a sad subtle flex. Has nothing to do with the post. He could have said finance or even mentioned nothing about his job, and just said he had limited free time like we all do.
He then pathetically admits all he does in his free time is drink, and he’s done so his whole career.
Then comments the chick he was using for sex finally got sick of him refusing to commit. And he’s lonely, but too lazy to put in minimal work to make a profile on an app.
He then finishes this pathetic post by asking how to be more mature spending his free time. Really? Learning to cook, studying a new language, joining a club, playing video games, working out, creative writing, etc are all foreign concepts that he can’t figure out, even though he’s smart enough for PE?
Give me a break.
It’s always so ironic to me all the kids on the site worship Trump and hate the softness of the woke people, yet have no compunction acting soft when they need help or want to vent.
#1 Pick a hobby that requires training your body (weight training, cardio, boxing, hiking, biking, etc.)
#2 Start reading (fiction, non-fiction, classic literature, philosophy, history, whatever you are into to train the mind) or explore the arts (albeit not many finance bros are going to be musicians, artists, master chefs...if we were creative would we be doing IB in the first place?)
#3 Give back to the world (volunteer, probably the hardest one to commit to as a young banker given this is more work than pleasure and you already have limited free time)
Easy stuff that's constructive: catching up with friends/family on the phone, reading, writing/journaling, literally even following your fav football team. Almost anything is better than drinking alone. And if you're gonna drink might as well head to the bar and meet people
Try going to the gym on an empty stomach after work, burn a good 600 calories and immediately go to a gas station or Total Wine. Pickup Finnish Long drink (99calorie version) and finish the entire 6 pack. You just had yourself a good workout, a great time and all of this under 600 calories (and you technically burnt 6 calories and 6 drinks lol).
My favorite type of bender activities when I don't work until 1 am
Empty stomach or not has little bearing on energy expenditure
Glad to see lonkero slowly making its way into the U.S. market.
intercourse
I also recommend intercourse
Try to max out 1 rep max on bench deadlift squat. Treat it like a videogame.
Go all out and sneak drinks during your not free time too!
Coming out of college it was an issue for me too adjusting to not drinking everyday. Started by slowly paring it down and have gotten better about it. If you are looking for easy things to do but a bit more active, I like taking leisurely walks and listening to books on tape. Forces me to go find new parks and see different parts of my city and a slow walk is relaxing, keeps the body moving, and lets me think / listen to my book.
Don't keep any alcohol at home and do a sober month. It'll break your cycle of drinking -- that's what it took me anyways. I ended up taking some edibles and drinking decaf TJs ginger tea before bed and kicked the habit from that. Now i barely blaze and only socially drink (still keep no alcohol I enjoy at home). Another odd "hack" I found to help me was not to keep ice cubes in the freezer as I didn't want warm alcohol lol
Get into lifting since you can do that anytime, or join a nice gym with a pool/sauna/steam room and just chill out there it's so fucking relaxing. If looking to veg out pick up chess or some other hobby you can do while sitting still (I'd suggest gaming or reading but that's the last fucking thing I wanted to do after work in PE). Could also get into cooking more intricate recipes that take more of your time but will help you get laid when you get back out there and will help you stay healthy/meal prep down the road.
Pickle is calling
Just lift dude. It will better your life in every way
Enjoy a nice meal instead
boring
Sounds like a good time to make an appointment to see your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Go long-distance jogging, it helps clear your head.
They say cocaine is a good alternative to alcohol but I wouldn’t know, I’ve never drank alcohol before
haha
❄️ and/or 🐎💉
snowboarding or working as a vet? interesting
I totally understand the need for a healthy outlet after working for a few years. For me, that came through getting into woodworking. I started with small projects, like building a simple shelf, and it quickly became a passion. There’s something incredibly satisfying about woodwork, especially when most of your day is spent behind a computer. Over time, I moved on to more complex projects like a coffee table for my apartment, and it became a way to really disconnect from work and focus on something tangible.
Another hobby that’s been great for unwinding is martial arts, specifically Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I initially joined a gym just to stay fit, but BJJ quickly became more than just exercise. It’s a mental and physical challenge that requires complete focus, which is perfect for shutting out the stress of the day. The sense of community at the gym is also fantastic—it’s a completely different social circle compared to work, which is refreshing. Plus, it’s a great way to stay in shape.
Lastly, getting into meditation was a game-changer for me. Like many, I was skeptical at first, but after trying out a few guided sessions, I started to see the benefits. It’s now part of my daily routine, even if it’s just for 10 minutes in the morning. It helps set a positive tone for the day and makes dealing with the pressures of work much easier. Combining woodworking, martial arts, and meditation has helped me build a well-rounded routine that keeps me balanced and focused, without relying on the typical after-work drinks.
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