New Hobbies

I decided I would like to learn a new hobby (stained glass work) as something to keep me occupied as it helps my anxiety to focus on something else.

The problem is in the back of my mind anytime I make a decision to start something new I worry that it is an impulse and this would be an expensive impulse. What do you normally do in that situation? I'm thinking that if I wait awhile and I still want to do it I'll know that it wasn't just a fleeting idea.

Do you always second guess yourself once you know you're bipolar?

I would go for it. If you think you'll enjoy it, then it's worth it. I don't really have the motivation for hobbies anymore, so I can't even do things like that. My mind just won't let me. Take advantage of it while you can, you might regret it if you don't.

Are u currently in a manic episode? I say if youre not constantly starting new things and you can afford it..and you know you will stick to it, its a great idea...especially because youre using it to cope with anxiety. I do think its a good idea to ponder the idea for a little while to make sure its not a spur of the moment type thing. The fact that you are already pondering it and you havent jumped right into it then youre showing signs of being careful and responsible.

Plus you can start small, and there is faux stained glass you can try before you go big.

And I am newly diagnosed and already find myself questioning ideas and things I think and do :/

i always second-guessed myself, period... but usually, its helpful... and its funny cause i just went through the same thing not long back...

ive stopped myself on a lot of bad investments.... like ur worrying right now... but that depends... what has helped me was trying to find out how much i felt i really needed this to be a part of my life... the hobby, i mean... also considering my other expenses....

i encourage u heartly to find a hobby... i have been working on that lately, and am glad im doing it... besides the many other things that have helped for the most part, having these things to focus on has really helped the process...

based on my situation... i wasnt sure if i really wanted this hobby, because it seemed silly... and could be expensive too, depending on how far i take it... not to mention equipment, which i recently almost fell for the "good equipment" trap and almost spent more than i needed for my first time.... so really, i was stuck with "do i really want this?" and, being honest with myself as much as i consciously could, i kept finding reasons why i clearly truly want this...

so... i didnt let my second guessing stop me... BUT, after hours (literally) of thinking about it... watching videos of other people doing it... reading articles... i finally convinced myself to go cheaper for now... not beacuse i fear i may not want it, not beacuse im second guessing, but because its the strategic step for now...

so... weigh ur options, is my advice... but if this is something uve been interested in for more than just a few weeks (years, in my case), id say dont let u get in the way of u...

hope all is well...

Hi Wildflower, do you enjoy art and other creative activities? If you do, I think stained glass work would be an amazing hobby - and maybe even something you could eventually make into a business.

Thanks everyone. That really helps. I just got diagnosed in July so everything is still so hard to figure out. I'm not manic right now or I would have already bought everything so thankfully I didn't get this idea at a different time.

My dad used to do stained glass and made some beautiful pieces and so thathas kind of always been in the back of my mind as something I'd like. I like to have an outlet for my nervous energy and it would definitely require some concentration.

The most creative thing I do now is crochet when I feel up to it. I've done some jewelry making in the past (wire wrapping stones) but I can't really hold the wires right now because my hands are a little shaky.

vendide, what new hobby did you start?

Doesn't sound like very expensive impulse... And if it's in the family - even better. You seem already know what you gonna get into and already like it so why not?

And i rarely second guess me.

traveling the states, hiking, as well as bird spotting...

the spotting costs some light money beacuse of equip... while it can cost more money if i start traveling around a lot... only, im trying to make decisions based on how things are going... i almost spent a little too much too quickly, but was able to get a grip. overall, im glad im doing this, because i need something like this in my life... learning to feel gratitude for the small things now...

good luck with ur hobby!!! i really hope u get to do something u can take pictures of and share... i would absolutely love to see what u do... im hoping to get a camera eventually and start photography, so i can use it for spotting... will definitely post here...

That sounds awesome. I've always wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail in its entirety but I think I would have to take sections of it now. Considering I live closer to the Rockies, it may be awhile. I think bird spotting would be cool too. I'd love to see the pics.