Anyone have any interesting hobbies?

[adaptive1]

I seem to recall a thread on here about this once but I can't find it. I am trying to think of some interesting things to do in my spare time once I move. A new start maybe some new things to do or be part of.... Basically I want to minimize the amount of time I spend thinking about things if that makes sense because for me thinking about things leads to ruminating and obsessing. The usual things like walking, running, reading, watching tv, watching movies or listening to music don't work for me. All those things dont provide enough of a distraction for me. Something that requires more focus would probably help alot.

Does anyone have any interesting hobbies that might fit into that category?

 

[suewatters1]

I go fishing and that helps me calm down. Actually I am getting ready to go there this morning.

Sue

 

[Retired]

Adaptive,

There are diffeent types of hobbies that appeal to specific personality types.

If you like being around groups or enjoy being competitive, you would look at different actvities than if you prefer working alone and whether or not you care about competing.

Some hobbies lend themselves to competition with your peers while others don't.

Are you a creative person, or do you have mechanical or physical dexterity?

Do you have a workspace at home, or are would you persue your hobby activity outside the home?

Perhaps others have more questions to ask to help zero in on what types of activities might be of interest to you.

 

[adaptive1]

Those are very good points Steve, I guess I need to give it some more thought, I thought if someone else mentioned something it might spark my interest and I could look into it.

I have zero mechanical ability.I call my dad right now if I have any mechanical problems and he lives two provinces away and he just laughs and says what do you want me to do about it from here.....::dimples::

I do think being around other people is a good idea, I am not terribly competitive towards beating anyone, but its nice to be able to beat your own personal best if that makes sense. I love kayaking but that is a very short time hobby when you live in the prairies where winter lasts from October to May.:noidea:

I love creative things but I have zero talent in that ability. I guess that couldnt matter. The idea of making a mess with paint kind of appeals to me though I doubt I would ever be able to paint anything that looks like anything.

Something where I was around people that was social would probably be good.

But you got me thinking,thanks.

 

[Retired]

I happen to have several hobbies, some of which have evolved over the years and others have subsided.

In selecting an activity that will occupy your time, I feel the selection is made based on what might be your particular skills, what you hope to accomplish and what you may have seen that interests you.

Sometimes you may be surprised at an activity that catches your interest because you were not aware of that particular skill you possess.

That happened to me, when I acquired a Dremel tool several years ago. While experimenting with the tool using various scraps of materials I found, I discovered the Dremel was especially good at carving its way through Corian..the countertop material.

I persued that experiement until I discovered I could carve figurines out of scrap Corian, which was the birth of a new hobby for me.

I love carving Corian, and enjoy that medium more than any other I've tried such as wood.

No being a competitive person, and one who enjoys working alone, this hobby provides me with the enjoyment and escape I look for in an activity.

And...I discovered it by accident!

One way you can test your painting interests would be to use Dollar Store materials with acrylic paint. Acrylic paint behaves like oil, but is water soluble (until it dries), while some Dollar Stores have surprisingly good quality brushes.

There are courses available everywhere so you can enjoy the social aspects of this hobby as well!

 

[adaptive1]

That is really an interesting hobby Steve, I wish I could see what one of your creations looks like. I dont think I could do that since I am not sure how to use a Dreml tool, but I admire your creativity.

But I kind of think I will try the painting idea and a painting class sounds like a good idea.

Thank you so much for getting me thinking, makes me feel much more positive to look for solutions to things, even if they are just tiny, they all add up in the end..........

 

[Retired]

Here's a little train I carved a while back. I get my raw materail, scrap corian, countertop manufacturers, who are happy to get rid of some of their trash.

A Dremel is quite easy to use and not expensive to purchase. Most people use them to carve birds out of wood, a subject on which numerous books are written,

However trying painting is a good start. Try finding a beginner's book on drawing and painting, and get a small number of acrylic paints. Purchased in a Dollar store or at a place like Wal-Mart, each color would cost about $1.00 and a set of brushes could be had for about $1.00 also.

I regularly buy packages of artists brushes at a local Dollarama for $1.00 for one of my current projects.

Let us know how you make out with your art supplies; and the Fall is a great time of year for finding an art class at a local community college or even at your local art supplies store.

 

[adaptive1]

Yes, I like the train too and how original, I have never seen anything carved out of that material. Thats very creative of you Steve, you have some talent there.

Thanks for the tip about the brushes, I will pick up some to use as well.

 

[Retired]

The train is actually longer, with 2 passenger cars and under construction is one other flat car. Unfortunately I don't have the photos with me at this time.

For people interested in a very social passtime, a favorite group project is quilting.

I know several ladies' groups who get together regularly and quilt some beautiful work which they sell at flea markets and fund raising events.

Sporting activities can become hobbies, golf and tennis being the most popular.

Golf can be viciously competitive, if one lets it become that way. Many golfers I know will go out alone, or even with a group and will not carry a score card.

They play for the fun of the game and for the shot at hand..with no score keeping.

This lends to a less stressful game along with some outdoor exercise.

Learing to play a musical instrument can be an enjoyable challenge which can make for a wonderful hobby.

What are some other possibilities?

Perhaps other members could share their hobby experiences.

 

[Kanadiana]

If you have urges and impulses to paint then I say just go for it. My attitude is "Who cares what I paint as long as I'm doing it." Just getting in the act can eventually be inspiring and it draws out the imagination ... and talent I think every person has a talent and the trick is to find mediums, tools, whatever, that you enjoy playing with and just play and keep playing ... ideas will come I'm sure. Some people really love playing with fabrics and patterns.

Painting things, if not pictures, is a way to start the creative flow if you aren't ready for "paintings" ... but I have a gas just starting painting with nothing in mind ... a kind of free flow. Its really interesting to see what effects the tools and paints do (water colors, acrylics - even the cheap dollar store ones just to play if you're on a tight budget ... Hey THAT looks like a figure, or a ... (whatever) Playing is a way to learn what the materials and tools can do, and I find that a lot of fun. I paint over and over a surface. It keeps changing on me and I get ideas about paintings to do.

Making things is great fun too. I used to make jewelry and really enjoyed that but my hands are really effected by arthritis. For painting I can't do detailed works because my hands/fingers can't control the brushes.

Anyways, my point is, if you have the urge, just give in and forget about "Do I have talent?" Maybe its a case of "Do what you love, the talent will follow and develop as you get smitten? LOL And how can you know if you have talent if you don't start and let it grow?

I hope you find something fun that you love doing. I think we're all drawn to different mediums and creative things and just getting in the mode can really start things rolling. If ya don't know what to paint, just start slapping colour on a surface and go from there???????

I use cheap dollar store paints and brushes because my budget doesn't run to good supplies and materials, but that way I'm not pressured to not waste the paints.

You can gesso, or paint a surface with white flat paint even, just to prep a surface for painting on. An old board, a strong cardboard or paper, big, small ... lots of possibilities.

Well, I've babbled on enough being half asleep ... I got the newsletter (Thanks David ) and spotted your post. Had to comment LOL

Have fun!

PS:

By the way, You Tube has a lot of videos showing people painting and there are a lot of sites online that show painting
techniques "how to".

Also, there is a daily program on cable TV channel 48 at 2 PM here in BC showing artists painting and teaching/tutoring people how to, as they paint. It great fun and a lot can be learned just watching them how they create effects and images ... and how to use the tools of the trades

Also tons of books at libraries teach how to do all sorts of creative things of art or crafts.

 

[Eye Stigmata]

I like to paint with my left hand....and since I'm right handed it makes for an interesting outcome!
But it also forces me to really focus and concentrate on what im doing!

 

[Kanadiana]

I may have to learn to use my left hand in general anyways and your left hand painting sounds like a good start My right
hand is really doing the ulnar drift thing and fingers going how they shouldn't, making it difficult to impossible using that hand
for most things. happening fast Left hand beginning but better than right so thanks for the idea while I still can try that!!!

 

[adaptive1]

Hey, thanks for all the tips on painting, they were great, I really appreciate hearing from people that are into it already, I like your jewellary suggestions too. I have done some of that already but would like to do more.

 

[Kanadiana]

I'm glad you liked the ideas I really loved doing the jewelry too.
Fun to be able to create them and great to see others wearing them!
If I can figure out some designs my hands could still do, I would, and
as soon as a bright idea strikes, thats when I'll start again

 

[prayerbear]

Being moody! My mood is like a yo-yo and I am waiting for the meds to adjust!:hissyfit:

 

[adaptive1]

Hey sorry to hear that prayerbear..

here is something that you probably don't want to try, fitness adventure boot camp? Has anyone ever done this? It is a daily 5:30am to 6:30 am outdoor work out for five weeks, I just started this a week ago and I can barely move right now my muscles are so stiff. I tried to get out of my chair a few minutes ago but it was too much trouble. Strangely, I thought this would be fun and motivating and improve my mood, but I am tired, stiff and covered in bug bites, gosh, what was I thinking. I must love to torture myself....This might be great for the athletic people, but I don't think I am one of them..

Should have stuck with the painting idea:support:

I did buy some paint and brushes on the weekend and a paint by number adult set, so far I have made a giant mess but it's so much fun.

 

[Sparrow]

Scanning the hobbies that "don't work" for you, Have you tried volunteering in something that you feel strong in your heart about? The list can be endless as can the positive benefits. Personally I've found that if I follow my heart and avoid the fanfare, it preserves the sincerity. - Joey -

 

[adaptive1]

Thanks Joey, yes, I have been thinking of this too, I have done some volunteer work and currently am doing some at the moment. I think perhaps I am trying to take on too many things at once in an effort to keep crazy busy which as Lana pointed out to me is not really a good solution in the long run. However, you do raise a very nice point and I thank you.

 

[Noughts]

:chuckles: If I sound like an absolute anorak or geek, please bear with me!

• I live in urban southern California. So much light pollution... But it's not too bad at 04:00. Though you have to be careful... Turns out the newspaper boy is a grumpy man driving in a car hurling newspapers out of the window.
• I love writing, especially sci-fi. I'm telling you: pen = power! It's a safe way to conduct social experiments without actually coming under fire from people, heh heh... Uh, what that means is, I'm trying to work on a "Choose You Adventure" story that isn't shallow. Seeing how people react... Good times, good times...
• You need a fun hobby? Go play video games. I suggest something like SPORE, since it can appeal to both casual and hardcode players... So much fun. Well, try video games in general. There are lots of different kinds for lots of different gamers. And no, you won't turn into amoral killing machines. You have to be really broken to not tell the difference between a game and reality.
• Back when I had more time, I composed music. Digitally, of course. (Wish I could play four instruments at the same time.) I'm guessing you have Windows... I suggest composing with Anvil Studio, rendering with Synthfont, and Audacity for editing and stuff. All are free. ...It's not top-notch... But I doubt you're going to go so far as to purchase ProTools. Sibelius, maybe...
• I see you're already having fun with getting your hands dirty (with paint), so I don't feel the need to elaborate here. (^_^)
• Maybe you could try your hand at learning programming? It's not for everyone, and even though I love it, I suck... I'm really more of a "visionary" than anything else.
• All right. So it's not one of my hobbies yet. But it will be! When I can afford it! What I'm talking about is Digital art. Turned off because of the "digital"? Not to worry my friend, the graphite gods have bestowed upon us Corel Painter X! I've tried it before. With a Cintiq. Loads of fun... Let's see if you can afford it, though.
• I also like watching clouds. But where I live, we don't really get clouds anymore... Fire season's been getting a lot worse. At least I don't live in Australia.
• You can't focus while reading? What books are you reading? I suggest Dune... Frank Herbert is a GOD. And no, it is not teenage futuristic action trash.
• If I had decent image editing software and a tablet (a mousepad is not a tablet and GIMP is not ze-all-too-sexy Corel Painter X), I'd start a webcomic and upload it on youtube. Why youtube? More hits, and it's free,
• If you're up to it, and you can afford it, maybe you should become a Flash junkie? You know, a guy who uses Adobe Flash to... well, make things!
• I like reading extensively on mental disorders and the histories of mentally unstable people. I'm not sure you'll be interested in all that, too much though... I'm just the kind of person who wants to know everything. Including how people work.

 

[Daniel E.]

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