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Member Since Jan 2019
Location: Ohio
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#1
Sometimes (especially when I'm feeling depressed or manic), it is very difficult for me to focus on the things that I love to do. The things that make me feel whole. The things that I absolutely love to do when I'm in a good place.
For me, some of these hobbies include tending to my bonsai trees, playing mandolin (even my wife doesn't mind that one), playing billiards, taking walks in the woods, snuggling/ playing with my kitties, or reading a good book. These activities encourage me to be grateful for where I am and helps me center myself all at the same time. Speaking for myself, I find that focusing on the things that I love can almost act as a therapy in itself as they provide a consistent measure of healing. It seems to me that they almost act as a "medication" or have healing properties due to the emotions and insight they invoke. One observation, however, is that these activities or hobbies always center on me being by myself. The ones that I take the most pleasure in are usually refreshingly isolating. My question to everyone is... Have you noticed any similar observations? Are activities that provide isolation actually self-sabotage? What activities help you to be in a good place? Do you prefer isolation or activities in a group?[/FONT] __________________ Recovering from the past. Growing in the present. Planting seeds for the future. Dx: Bi-Polar II, PTSD, ADHD, SUD Rx: Methadone 100mg, Lamictal 300mg, Abilify 10mg, Buspar 40mg, Clonadine 0.3mg, Trazodone 50mg, Nexium 20mg, Allegra 180mg |
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Grand Poohbah
Member Since Mar 2013
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#2
I have a couple of hobbies, my favorite of which is making beaded jewelry. When I get involved in a project, all the concerns in my little world fall away and I am totally absorbed in what I am doing. I am a social person so do some of my beading at a local shop with other people who share my interest.
Shorter answer: hobbies are good for the soul in my opinion! If you are worried about doing them in isolation, maybe you could find a group(s) that are into what you are. Great way to make friends, too. |
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Moderator
Community Support Team Member Since Mar 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
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#3
I do think hobbies can be therapeutic. My 2 favourites are knitting and playing my harp. With both of them, I can get completely lost in them, and do them for hours.
For me, they're also an effective distraction, when I get cravings to drink, since I've found I can't drink and do either well. splitimage |
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Magnate
Member Since Jun 2018
Location: Canada
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#4
Hobbies are extremely theraputic - when we do them. You are right about getting the motivation to get going to do them however. I don't know why this is so. For example, I am a visual artist. I love the process of making art no matter the end product. It just makes me so very calm to do so. But the problem is getting it all out and setting up a space in the first place. I just can't get up the gumption. It is the same thing with my most loved passion of kayaking - although that takes more effort to do so.
So why do we not rush to do these things that not only sooth and calm us but give us great joy? One reason I think comes down to our low senses of self worth when we are depressed. The lower we feel the lower our opinion of our worthiness drops too. Could it be then that we don't feel we deserve the act of pursuing our hobbies in the first place? |
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Grand Magnate
Member Since May 2014
Location: Ireland
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#5
Hobbies are certainly something I would endorse myself. I started with cycling in order to get myself in to shape. For a long time, I found painting to be most relaxing too.
__________________ A daily dose of positive in a world going cuckoo Humour helps... |
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healing from trauma
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#6
Yes hobbies do have a theraputic value for me personally cooking and gardening lowers my anxiety and depression. So does my dog however she is not my hobby i am a member of lots of dog groups on face book and i read allot on dogs, health, breeds so on. Also i bike ride with my husband he is so into cycling im kinda of am into it getting there
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Poohbah
Member Since Sep 2017
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#7
Why not? Any meaningful activity can be therapeutic providing it is the right fit for the person at the time - it needs to promote flow, not failure
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#8
I am a crafter too. Hence, my forum name, LOL For me, crafting is doing anything when I take individual pieces and make something new. For example, I love to write. I blog about mental health and my experiences. I also make beaded jewelry, crochet, some simple sewing and simpler painting, LOL
Without my crafting, my life would be dull. __________________ "Love you. Take care of you. Be true to you. You are the only you, you will ever know the best. Reach for YOUR stars. You can reach them better than anyone else ever can." Landon Clary Eason Grateful Sobriety Fangirl Since 11-16-2007 Happy Sober Crafter |
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#9
I don't do much in the way of hobbies anymore (unless you count being here on PC as a hobby.) I never did have a lot of them. I'd tinker around with this or that for a while. But then I'd just move on to something else. Nowadays I find that anything I do tends to stoke my anxiety & anger issues whenever it doesn't go just so. So even things I could do I tend to avoid so as to keep myself on as even a keel as possible.
__________________ "I may be older but I am not wise / I'm still a child's grown-up disguise / and I never can tell you what you want to know / You will find out as you go." (from: "A Nightengale's Lullaby" - Julie Last) |
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Member
Member Since Jan 2019
Location: Ohio
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#10
Quote:
I'm not sure if it's possible on this forum (I'm new here lol) but I would love it if you could share some of the stuff you've made! If not, no worries! Expectations can be anxiety-inducing... Don't worry about it if that's the case. I was just curious on what a HappyCrafter crafts lol. __________________ Recovering from the past. Growing in the present. Planting seeds for the future. Dx: Bi-Polar II, PTSD, ADHD, SUD Rx: Methadone 100mg, Lamictal 300mg, Abilify 10mg, Buspar 40mg, Clonadine 0.3mg, Trazodone 50mg, Nexium 20mg, Allegra 180mg |
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Member
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#11
Quote:
As for the PC thing, it sounds like you like to use that as a machine to connect and fulfill something within yourself. I see you post on here quite a bit. I would certainly put this into the helpful hobby category. Thanks for your response, friend! __________________ Recovering from the past. Growing in the present. Planting seeds for the future. Dx: Bi-Polar II, PTSD, ADHD, SUD Rx: Methadone 100mg, Lamictal 300mg, Abilify 10mg, Buspar 40mg, Clonadine 0.3mg, Trazodone 50mg, Nexium 20mg, Allegra 180mg |
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MickeyCheeky
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#12
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__________________ Recovering from the past. Growing in the present. Planting seeds for the future. Dx: Bi-Polar II, PTSD, ADHD, SUD Rx: Methadone 100mg, Lamictal 300mg, Abilify 10mg, Buspar 40mg, Clonadine 0.3mg, Trazodone 50mg, Nexium 20mg, Allegra 180mg |
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MickeyCheeky, WishfulThinker66
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Location: Canada
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#13
We hosted a dinner party Friday night. I was really looking forward to the creativity of cooking but, if it wasn't because I was committed to doing so, I lacked the motivation to get started. Eventually I did and had an amazing time doing the cooking and preparing. So why was I reluctant to even though I knew full well I would enjoy it? Given this thread I paid closer attention to my feelings and, yep, my feeling of self-worth played a big part in it. Similarly I worried that the end product would be a failure - so why start and go through the process to begin with then? Was it just going to be a waste of time resulting in humiliation? But when the hour came to get started I couldn't ignore it. I had no choice but to get started. And, as soon as I did the joy fell into place. And yeah, while it wasn't perfect the end product turned out well afterall.
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Member
Member Since Jan 2019
Location: Ohio
Posts: 184
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#14
Quote:
Thanks for sharing! __________________ Recovering from the past. Growing in the present. Planting seeds for the future. Dx: Bi-Polar II, PTSD, ADHD, SUD Rx: Methadone 100mg, Lamictal 300mg, Abilify 10mg, Buspar 40mg, Clonadine 0.3mg, Trazodone 50mg, Nexium 20mg, Allegra 180mg |
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MickeyCheeky, WishfulThinker66
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#15
I'm an avid gamer. Gaming helps me cope with life more than pretty much anything else.
Not only does it make me happy but online gaming is a big part of my social life. Two of my happiest memories come from gaming in fact, one when I went to Blizzcon and hung out with online buddies from my WoW guild and a professional YouTuber I admired, and the other when gaming buddies came in all the way from New Zealand to hang out with me and my step father. We went to a karaoke bar and on a road trip. I even had my first taste of vodka back then. Fact is I would be dead without gaming. If it wasn't for both using gaming to escape when I am hurting and all the fond memories I have, I would have probably offed myself long ago. |
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Member
Member Since Jan 2019
Location: Ohio
Posts: 184
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#16
Quote:
__________________ Recovering from the past. Growing in the present. Planting seeds for the future. Dx: Bi-Polar II, PTSD, ADHD, SUD Rx: Methadone 100mg, Lamictal 300mg, Abilify 10mg, Buspar 40mg, Clonadine 0.3mg, Trazodone 50mg, Nexium 20mg, Allegra 180mg |
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MickeyCheeky
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MickeyCheeky
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Grand Member
Member Since Jan 2017
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#17
I have so many things I like to do that it would take forever to list. I will pick ONE. I LOVE to color. I cannot draw or paint but I love those coloring books with all the intricate designs.
__________________ I go about my own business, and keep my mind on myself and my life. I expect the same courtesy from the rest of the world. |
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Grand Poohbah
Member Since Apr 2015
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#18
Yes, I think so, definitely.
__________________ One way to get the best out of life is to think of it as an adventure. William Feather Medications: Risperidone-1 mg.daily, Propranolol-20 mg. daily, Gabapentin-600 mg daily, Melatonin-3 mg. at bedtime, Nicotine Lozenges-2 mg., Vape Liquid-3 mg., One A Day Vitamins,
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#19
Yes, I do believe you're right, BonsaiGuy. Hobbies can definitely be therapeutic. I know they have been to me, although I don't have a lot of them. I definitely think they're an underrated part in the process of healing. I'd encourage everyone to try to engage in some hobbies if you can. It's not easy, but the results can be pretty great. Don't give up! Sending many hugs to everyone
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#20
Hobbies are therapeutic for me too. I spend a lot of time on my own... mostly reading or coming here. I am making the effort to get out and do other things and try to make friends.... it’s not therapeutic like my quiet hobbies though. I’m trying to find a balance.
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WishfulThinker66
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