It used to be that whenever we said "you need to GAL" the response was almost always "but I don't like to go to bars". Talk about misunderstanding what GAL means! Here are some of the things I did to GAL:
Reached out to old friends, some that I hadn't talked to in decades. Made lunch and dinner dates with them.
Restarted several old hobbies I hadn't dabbled in for a while- building model cars, building remote controlled planes (that eventually morphed into designing some planes which are still being sold today), working on motorcycles.
Remodeled my backyard/ pool area into a tiki retreat.
Took some painting classes.
Took a class in glass fusing.
Started sculpting in clay.
Joined a gym and got back into working out, which led to making some new friends.
Started dressing better.
Started doing more with my kids- going to parks, movies, shopping, etc.
Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.
Started long motorcycle rides with a group of neighbors.
25 hasn't posted here in a while but she was a master of GALing. Here is a post she made about it some time ago when someone else asked this same question:
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For GAL suggestions, let me mention some of what I did when we lived in the interior of Alaska, even in the winter. And I had 3 kids including a baby.
Inertia is the greatest enemy to GAL. And imo, we cannot detach without GAL.
I believe the more you overcome inertia, and feel detachment, an ironic by product will be better R's with all people, including your w.
All of these upped my self esteem.
Okay so I volunteered at a battered women's shelter.
I coached a girl's softball team, two summers (my older D was on it). I was on the board of directors for Wrestling, (b/c our son wrestled).
*I auditioned for community theater and met some fun creative people. I got cast, too.
*Rehearsing one night, I realized it had been hours without me thinking about H or our m, or doing any obsessing, & that was huge. Even more importantly, I learned to be IN the moment. When you do live theater, You cannot waste time regretting a missed cue earlier, and you have to think on your feet and ad lib and not think about the next act or anticipate things. There is only "now" and you make the best of that moment.
It's a wonderful important experience, and lesson for life I think.
*I did stand up comedy (and yes, I still do it). I did a whole set once on a MLCs at the Improv. It went very well and again, you are in the moment and reacting to the audience, so you perform and listen. And the more you learn to laugh at things that would otherwise make you uncomfortable, the smoother a lot of life becomes.
You have probably heard that the line between tragedy and comedy is a fine one, and it's true.
I learned to cross country ski, became a better downhill skier.
I Learned to hunt big game, to deep sea fish, & I got better at shooting. Learned some patience too, and respect nature more.
I learned to use a snowmobile ("snow machine" to Alaskans) I loved riding it. Jetskiing is great if you are near water in a warm place.
Learned to fly a plane, and I got a pilot's license. Ground school for flying challenged a different part of my brain, as did learning to fly. Jim - I know you have the height issue/fear, but thing is, flying a plane isn't like peering over the edge of a bridge. Know what I mean?
And I edited a hunting book for a hunting guide/friend up there. The book ended up on the Best Seller's List. Who knew?
I worked out 3-4 times a week, and got in excellent shape. As you know, Looking good makes a world of difference to us. Found a (female) work out partner and began socializing after the work outs. As you mention, the endorphin affect matters.
I was trying to lose the baby weight and It was not easy to do, let alone in the dark cold Long winters. Totally worth the efforts. In the winter, I used a tanning booth, which helped me feel more energized, and it probably helped my appearance, which also helps me feel better.
I saw a therapist and for some months, went on ADs.
Took a pottery class (very different and unlike me to do, but my friend needed a pottery partner and I'm glad I went. I liked it a lot & took another class last winter.
Joined the Officer's Wives club after 15 years of active duty. I Wish I had joined sooner. I met two women who got me thru a dark time and are life long friends to this day.
Joined a writer's group Took a class in Conversational French Took a class in Italian cooking
There is more, but these are all things you can do that do not cost a lot. Other than pilot training/skydiving, most of these ^^ activities were free, or quite cheap.
