Need goal ideas

I've found that life gets better for me the more structure I add to my day. When I have limited to no structure, I start going stir crazy and I begin pacing around, not knowing what to do. Then that's when I start my downward spiral and things get ugly mood wise.

In addition to structure, however, I'm also starting to form more goals, not just in therapy, but in life in general. For example, one of my goals is to learn the guitar since I've been putting it off for so long. Such goals give me purpose and something to look forward to everyday; they also help with my day structure.

Right now, though, I'm looking to add more goals to my life so I can have the structure and purpose I desire, but I don't know what kind of goals I want. I just want something that drives me to wake up every morning and do something positive. Ideas? It could be anything, such as "learn a language" or "do daily exercise," etc. etc.. I'm open to pretty much anything.

learn to crochet/knit hats/scarves/socks/etc. then you can donate them

I always wanted to learn how to blow glass.

I took a class on glassblowing and it was fun! I couldn't afford it all the time, but it's a neat activity to try out. If you're interested in learning a language that could be a useful hobby. You can always get something to learn while driving or doing other activities. Also, my friend and I are practicing painting together and there are free tutorials online. I find it enjoyable and good for my mental health, while being a fun challenge.

I've got to get back to my guitars, too. Like you. Blue, I have an acoustic and an electric. It has been so long now... I will need to start over. I do best with those if I see a teacher in person, although I get some help from some online people, too.

Do you like animals? My friend loves dogs, but is not in a position to have one of her own right now. She volunteers at a local shelter and has to be there by 8 am to walk a dog and loves it. SHe will often stay and walk yet another. Lol. Unsure if this is your cup of tea, but thought I would mention this.

I know I get more motivated and feel much better about myself if I can find a way to get involved in something I truly believe in, some kind of a cause or similar. I find those types of activities both very fulfilling and entertaining!

And there is always the gym!

My schedule is quite full in the mornings since my mom lives with me right now. I get up and get breakfast ready. We read the paper, etc.
I miss getting up and getting busy and hope to change this routine soon. I know she will feel disappointed, but the morning is my best time to tackle tasks!

There are food shelves where you might offer some time/energy? Some around here also put on meals each week and people volunteer to help to cook the meals. You are a great cook!

You might try meetups? We have some here in the mornings, just women of all ages meeting various places to walk, etc; If the weather is bad, they meet in a local mall.
Lots of other activities, maybe even a guitar group? In this area, we have meetup groups going morning, noon and night! Maybe there is a group who love/explore electronics more and you might find common interests in your hobbies like these?

What really interests you? what excites you?
I have been wanting to learn to paint. A neighbor teaches watercolors and when she starts a new class , I hope to join in!

I hope you will find some very rewarding activities which help your life to feel as fulfilling as possible!

hey, that's a pretty cool idea. I've never thought of that. do you do that?

I saw glass blowing being done up close when I was in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. It was so interesting to watch! It was at a smallish factory there. I know they offered day classes and you could make your own stuff to take home. Unfortunately, though, we were on vacation, so that wasn't really possible.

The only downside is that I'm super clumsy, so I'm afraid I'd burn myself or something. lol. But it's a good idea. My mom and dad have wanted to try it out ever since we went to the factory. I suppose I could treat them to a day at a glass blowing place, if there are any here in Boston or in the Boston area.

Since I've never played guitar before (besides fiddling around with one), I need the teacher for learning the basic techniques. Once I've got the basics down, though, I'll probably resort to online stuff like you mentioned. But there's something to be said for being with someone who can correct your technical mistakes, as opposed to guessing if you've followed someone online's instructions correctly.

And yeah, I've done volunteering at animal shelters. Haven't done that since about 2015, though. It's pretty fun to play with and walk the cute doggies. Never took care of cats before. But I got too attached to the animals.

Gym is a good idea too, if I weren't so damn lazy. lol.

Never done soup kitchen or food pantry volunteering before, but I could try that. That's a great idea!

Most meet ups around here are (understandably) in downtown Boston and I don't wanna drive there anymore. lol. It's too much of a pain to drive there and back, especially with figuring out parking and transportation. But guitar groups wise, this guitar teacher actually has his own "jam" group, where he invites all his students to jam with him. Everyone gets to practice songs and play them for each other to get feedback (if they want) or to have a good time.

Nah, I'm still in the learning stage. I started a blanket like two months ago and have been continuing very sporadically. Gotta get more disciplined

I use to work with clay a lot. I made a very detailed cartoon mouse. I made lots of different sized bowls to hold keys or my stones, make up brush holder. I made a dinosaur, a “ longneck” from the movie Land before time for my daughter , was her favorite movie growing up.

It’s also very soothing .. wet clay just smooshing it in my hands in soothing.

I really need to pick up another bag,

Thank you for the thread Blue! I had forgotten about it !

Oh! Thanks for reminding me!

I so enJOY doing pottery, especially doing figurines out of clay.

Oh oh also years and years ago there was places near me in Florida where you could go pick out ceramic pieces, paint them, they would fire them and I’d go pick up the finished pieces a few days later.

I made full sets of plates and bowls, I made my grandmother a big platter for her phenomenal thanksgiving dinners ..I swear she found 40lb turkeys lol , I made candle holders, I still have a few, my daughter made me lots of coffee cups. My mom did lots of vases

Ohhhhhh I so wish that was still a big thing ! A hobby I really really enjoyed. I think that’s why I like the clay work

Learn the guitar, piano, maybe learn how to knit.

If you are a list maker I recommend a rocketbook, I love mine.
How It Works - Rocketbook

@sarahsweets: I actually have one! But I lost it like a year ago. lol.

It is pretty neat. I used to use it for work all the time because my work gave them out for free. (Lots of mathematics and note taking at my job.) In fact, it's probably in my desk at work still, but my drawers/cabinets are messy.

I do think they are worth the investment, though. Maybe I should get another one for myself.

Is there anything from your past you never completed or tried that you regret?

Do you like to cook/bake? If so, something I love to do is to try new recipes. Exploring different cuisines from around the world can also be extremely fun. That's not something one needs to do daily, but something like a "Foreign Foods Friday" could be fun. Or if one has never made homemade pizza or other yeast raised edibles, as an example. Giving away excess or inviting others over to enjoy is often appreciated.

Do you have a blog? Or just writing something beyond regular writing can be quite rewarding. I never thought I was good at creative writing (stories, poetry, reflections, etc.) until I pushed myself harder to try. My photo taking skills have also improved over the years.

During good weather months, gardening can be a rewarding pursuit. Or even during cold months, caring for plants or arranging flowers is fun. I took several classes in flower arranging and only then realized how pleasurable that creative activity can be. Any kind of drawing, painting, sculpting, crafting, could be similar.

I agree with the others that volunteering can be rewarding.

If available near you, adult school classes, Meetups, free events/lectures, or college class auditing might appeal to many.

Well, guitar was the main one. I intended to play when I bought my first guitar (an acoustic) 5 years ago, but I never did play it very long, so I ultimately regretted not sticking with it. Then I was going to pick up guitar playing again 2 years ago, but my acoustic was too loud for my apartment complex, so I bought an electric because it's quieter when not plugged in. Then I did nothing with the electric a few months after I bought it. Now I'm finally playing it and getting used to it. I'm taking lessons as a motivator because I really want to do it, but I don't want to give up again out of frustration, if that makes sense. (I never did lessons before this. I was trying to teach myself.)

Other than that, not really. I've never been someone who tries new things, so there isn't anything specific that I regret or didn't complete (besides the guitar). But now I'm trying to do new things.

I don't mind cooking, but it isn't a hobby for me. When I do cook, I cook Indian food. I follow online recipes for Indian cooking since, well, I am not Indian and I don't know much about how to cook it. I just follow YouTube videos of people speaking in Hindu and put on the captions in English.

I could try cooking more, though. I don't cook very much nowadays. It'd probably be healthier and cheaper for me to cook, so that is definitely a great idea, BirdDancer.

And no, I don't have a blog. I'm not much of a blogger. I've tried in the past, but I've never stuck with it.

Gardening would be a decent thing to do for me. We have a garden at my complex that opens up in the springtime and you can plant your own stuff in there. You just have to pay to reserve a spot. (They make you pay because there are too many people who want to do it but don't actually follow through. So basically, these people take up resources they're not using, when other people could be using them. So, paying money is an incentive for people to do something with their mini plot of land.)

I do actually color from time to time, so that is indeed nice. I have coloring books.