Can I ask what have you found to replace it with? Love, enlightenment, family, alcohol, drugs or...........?
Interesting question. The full answer is a little complex and very specific to my personal circumstances.
What I can say is that during my first period of punting circa 2003/2006 I was in a totally different world. Circa 50, recently widowed, very fit and active, with a well paid (albeit stressful) occupation. Punting fulfilled many things back then and I enjoyed it, although in hindsight it became overly prolific.
None of them now apply. I’m much older, retired, limited by a worn out body etc. Also I in a loving (and sexual) relationship again, grandchildren etc.
I fell off the wagon to maybe prove the “
once a punter always a punter” cliché for a while in 2019. That may have continued had Covid not happened? I will never know, but having interrupted the relapse, I currently think it unlikely I will resume again?
Unlike the first time it is no longer something of significant importance in my life, but rather just a little bit extra ... so to answer your question I don't really feel the need to find anything to replace it with.