What hobbies or activity’s do you do to give yourself sense of worth?

Thank You SmokeyPoole2012 for your reply much appreciated. You give good insight to looking at things I think we all over look, or aleast I forget the more simple little things that can make a big difference to others and ourseleves. you put a smile on my face

When Jack and I took our walk together today, we met 2 new people and all four of us smiled or wagged our tail.

I dont realy understand how it gives someone a sense of self by working in the garden and such. Im not trying to diss, will someone just explain it to me? is there a psychological effect or something at work

Thank You for your view on this.

Please note this is my own personal interpretation and understanding to this. Other people who posted may see this differently to me or have another prospective towards this. I am using my personal reasons to explain this to you so sorry if I come across self centred.

So I started this thread because I sometimes I don’t mentally and physically take the best care of myself. I neglect the little things. That you get from life experiences that may seem totally unconnected but simple things can give you skills to work or help with more difficult things in life.

Have you read how on some posts (on other forums) people put sometimes just having good social skills can also play a part in helping someone’s overall mental health. We can get and learn social skills throughout our lifes and gain new ones by trying and working on things that help give us skills and something back. In other words this will not give you instant self worth or be a fix like if you only did these then that’s how and what can give you self worth. I know that but this is a lot better than when I would not leave the house and do nothing.

Doing things like this can give you structure or help work the basic back into your life. When you let them slip. Personally I needed something that gave me a reason to try in life. However silly or little it was. Of course this forced me to start again. If I couldn’t do this then how was I ever going to be able to get back to working. However if I forced myself at this present time to start a job without getting some of basics back into my life then I would still be in that same cycle as before that wasn’t good.

You may think that just (walking to the beach and reading, well how an earth will that help) It helps me because I have to walk there and face walking past people, crossing roads, it may be busy. People who have issues in social situations just walking to a plan place over and over can help as it may help less that worry/ anxiety/ fear or what ever they feel/ think that holds them back going this.

Then the idea is you extend this but little by little/ step by step. Everyone starts something in their life by doing the basics and working their way up. Like you wouldn’t tell a kid if they couldn’t get something to stop it’s pointless and no use. When you our older I noticed it’s easy to think this doesn’t apply to things later in life. Like it’s only applicable to certain things but it’s not it goes for anything and in any time in a person’s life.

Also reading helps/ general hobbies helps because you have to concentrate. Things that give you a pattern or instructions to follow help because this then trains you brain to focus on what you are doing and not those negative thoughts or feelings that get in your way or discourage you. Ok so this is nothing like when I was at work following a layout plan or checking quantities. But I found that difficult in the end not to make mistakes and hard to focus on. So this is addressing the skills needed with the next best thing. The beach part puts some pressure on that I wouldn’t get reading at home, just like you would in a work environment. Again it’s different but what if that person walking past is judging me or commenting on what I am doing so again this is the same thoughts I would get when I am working so this can really help for when I find a job.

Sorry as you can see I am not the best communicator or writer but this is the best way I can explain and put across what I think to you. Again this isn’t the same for every person as everyone has different reason and understanding as to why they do these things and how it gives them something back by doing these. Sorry if this wasn’t of help to you.

I just thought of some more being out side helps because you can imagine staying inside does nothing for you for long periods. You get some much needed fresh air. It can relax you and give you much needed change of scene.

Other people may do things just beucase it takes their minds off life and makes them happy. We all need something that can give our minds a rest and sense of joy.

Other times it will mean doing things and going to places were you have to talking to people or small socializing again this then helps people build up skills and confidence to do these things.

Again this can go on with list of things and reasons as why people do them and what they get back by doing this.

i like to read philosophy books
i also listen/play music
making movies.

I like sketching/drawing landscapes,portraits etc.
I like to write poetry at times.
I like to play pc games,play football and above all like to bake pizzas.

Thank You newtus and Aardavak for your comments also much appricated

I try to spend my time working on my studies and speaking with people, kind of like learning how to keep conversation going since that has always been a bit lacking in my life.

By learning how to just talk, I'm expanding my circle of friends and opening myself up to new experiences.

I also try putting together outfits for fashion's sake or go and browse through stores (even if I hardly ever buy anything ).

Reading, writing, and drawing are also helping to open up a store of creativity inside of me that I never even knew I had. These thoughts and actions are leading to cravings for odd ways of expressing myself (oftentimes just by going out and collecting beautiful buttons or stones to arrange them in patterns).

I also try to speak more clearly by trying to break away from my Southern accent and use proper English.

I want to take a 1 month challenge of creativity where you stop for a little while and just draw/sketch/paint/photograph whatever is on your mind for one day every day.

Want to try so much more but am taking baby steps so I don't get overwhelmed again.

Thank You Helpingmegetbetter for all your comments they are much appricated You have a grate set of goals. Wishing you well on your challenge.

some great advice as we age, i believe we naturally become more comfortable with ourselves... I try to exercise on a treadmill each morning after morning coffee. As little as 10 minutes has been proven by researchers to aid in wellness.

There is a great book out there by Julie Cameron. It is entitled: "The Artist's Way."
This would be a great place to explore your creativity. The book has exercises and is sort of a workbook on getting to know yourself a little better.

good question Mindinpiceces -- and best of luck with your set of goals.

Thank You guru2013 for you comments and suggestions they are much apprciated Wishing you well with your goal

I read books. If there is one thing I know I do well, it's reading. I have dozens of bookcases.
I also dance.
And garden, it's rewarding to see your flowers and vegetables grow from your help.

Knitting! I love knitting and spinning and dyeing yarn. Yarn, to me, holds so much possibility. You can do anything with it-- you just have to figure out what it wants to be.

I pray and read the bible
I do short meditation
I exercise in the gym and alternate by going for evening walks
I read fashion sites
I volunteer and work with stray dogs
I do project work to help the stray dogs
I prepare a nice meal
I live in a clean and tidy home
I have my own goals and do a lot of visualising

Just trying to make my life worthwhile...

-I listen to Lady Gaga and Russian Music alot of the time to help me daydream.
-I look up things about Russia to get fashion ideas.
-I imagine myself to be totally different than what I am.

I love these words and ideas- thank you

I make jewelry!

I write in an online journal and take pictures.

I play my guitar. I've been playing for 8 years now and it gives me confidance when I can nail down a Hendrix song in a matter of hours. =)

I'm going back to work, to play piano, practising because that's whole my world and try to don't think about real world. If that doesn't help I make myself some special tee, take a book I like and close the doors of my room and of my own world from another people. It makes me calm and I feel good.

* Creating art and poetry
* Sharing that with friends on an arts site I am a member of
* Helping people on PC - this gets me out of my own head, and it feels good to see people not feel so alone

for me it's writing.

i love writing poetry and writing in my journal