[BonsaiGuy]

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]

[Little Lulu]

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.

[splitimage]

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

[WishfulThinker66]

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?

[Ford Puma]

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.

[Taylor27]

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

[Carmina]

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

[happysobercrafter]

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.

[Skeezyks]

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.

[BonsaiGuy]

Originally Posted by HappyCrafter

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.

I love this response, HappyCrafter! That sounds like a lot of fun. I've would always say that I've never been much of a "crafty person" but with the definition you gave, I might just have what it takes to give it a shot!

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.

[BonsaiGuy]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

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 can absolutely relate to this as well. Sometimes it just doesn't flow right and can put me in an even worse mood. The other day, I went to my favorite pool hall (which even going out in public is a victory for me most days), and it was very crowded. My panic flared up and my game suffered. This led to even more aggrivation after the fact and I wish I wouldn't have gone to begin with.

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!

[BonsaiGuy]

Originally Posted by WishfulThinker66

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?

I would agree with you about the "low sense of self-worth" aspect of the equation. I feel as of I do this a lot! I have an idea that I think would be fun, healthy, and helpful to me and I immediately start tearing it apart, which quickly leads to me tearing myself apart. In the sense the idea of hobbies can lend to a negative. I guess it comes down to what you do with the impulse!

[WishfulThinker66]

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.

[BonsaiGuy]

Originally Posted by WishfulThinker66

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.

What a great example of what we're talking about. Thanks for providing it! I feel the same way before attempting anything (especially publicly) that could result in failure and in part, a lowered sense of self worth. Just like you, when I finally pull that trigger and get to it, most of the time it works out just fine and that joy begins to radiate.

Thanks for sharing!

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.

[BonsaiGuy]

Originally Posted by DarknessIsMyFriend

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.

Thanks for your response! I'm really glad you found this and have it in your life.

[Medusax]

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.

[LucyD]

Yes, I think so, definitely.

[MickeyCheeky]

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

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.