What hobbies do y'all feel helps you

[Depressed1996]

Since I have been depressed and anxious I have found little that keeps me distracted and keeps my negative thoughts at bay. I'd like to hear some of the things that y'all love to do.

It's been a difficult 2 years for me. Have not found any hobbies that really distract me or give me some benefit. I'm looking for something I could do by myself since I'm a pretty lonely dude. I have my family but the ones that are around are older and do not like energetic or many at all activities. They mainly watch movies. Movies give me terrible anxiety. Except a few comedies

I like to hike but I live in the city so it's something I rarely get to experience. I like tennis but have no one to play with and am so bad now that it's hard to find a partner that will deal with me till I get more skillful again. I play video games but I get very anxious during these to. I use to enjoy hunting and fishing with my father but he passed away when I was younger and it brings back a lot of emotions. I never got to do much with my mom so we never really found an activity together other then a game called sequence (card/ board game). She has been playing with me the past few days and it has meant the world to me.

I'm currently saving up for a nice bow for target archery because that seems like a safe solo sport for me to do. I really don't trust myself around guns so I can't really do anything with them. I live in the south (explains all the "yalls") so I'm not much of a runner do to the extreme heat and humidity. I do work out, trying to get better about it. I like to read sometimes to so any books that have helped you guys with life please message me or leave them in the comments.

So what do y'all enjoy to do? What hobbies or activities make your life a little better?

If anyone's having a bad day feel free to message me anytime. I really enjoy to talk to most of you guys. Sorry I talk so much lol. I enjoy hearing many of the positive stories I've seen from people who just a few days or weeks ago were in a deep dark whole of depression. Really gives me some faith that I can make it out of this. Thank you

Matt

[Hidden]

(Explain all the yalls) lol...I started reading and writing, doing a little yoga and i practically always have my headphones on

[Depressed1996 in reply to Hidden]

I want to try yoga. I did it a few time in some out patient programs for my depression and it was pretty fun. I think maybe if I could convince one of my family members to try it it may help me get into it.

What do you like to read mainly?

I have been changing my music selection lately. I noticed a lot of what I listened to had some pretty negative lyrics and i felt it was bringing me down sometimes. I'm looking for some nice podcast that are calm and interesting. What do you listen to mainly?

[Hidden in reply to Depressed1996]

I found yoga to be very uncomfortable lol. I listen to music based on how im feeling at that moment but i love old school r&b music romantic ones...i read lots of poems my favorite books are by warsan shire l, rupi, and nayirrah. They're deep

[Depressed1996 in reply to Hidden]

Haha uncomfortable for sure. I should make a playlist. I like a lot of old music. Mainly calm happy songs lately.

Thanks for helping me out today. For sure let me know how you are doing the next couple days. We are young and need to get out of this funk.

[Hidden in reply to Depressed1996]

You're right. And yeah I'll definitely keep you posted

[Hidden in reply to Depressed1996]

Why don't you make a playlist. A specific one

[20Voices in reply to Hidden]

This is a good idea. I have a few playlists. I have one that I use when I just want to get rid of excess energy and also cheer myself up. I have one with songs to remind myself that I am a good person and that I need to not be so hard on myself. I even have a playlist which I use when I need to vent over how long my divorce is taking and I put that on and I get rid of all my frustration on an inflatable punch tower that I bought.

At the moment I also listen to an album called ARMS by Slow Moving Millie. It is just music, but I find it really helpful in helping me to relax.

I didn't do yoga, but did go to a class called Highland Hustle. That was great until I couldn't get to the classes. I have also tried pliates which I enjoyed and also Tia Chi which I was really surprised at how much doing the Tia Chi lowered my blood pressure.

[Hidden in reply to 20Voices]

I really don't like yoga, i was doing this thing i saw on YouTube i swear i almost broke something lol i don't think our bodies should bend in such drastic ways. Yes i have different playlist so i know what to play depends on how im feeling

[Hidden]

I used to go out and cycle somewhere if I felt in a low mood, its distracting and gave me a bit of a boost, although with your local weather it might be tricky/sticky for you?

I also find growing vegetables and gardening helpful, it sounds silly but I actually get excited to see things starting to grow that I planted. Ha! Again I think that its because of the distraction and a sense of achievement, especially if there is something tasty to enjoy at the end.

[Depressed1996 in reply to Hidden]

Cycling is somthing I always loved. I really should try it I think if I found some nice paths near me I would love to do it daily.

[thelostone13]

I listen to upbeat music, I find that helps me a lot. I do yoga and workout, that takes my mind off things. I also drive. When my head wont turn off, I go for a cruise down dirt roads with the windows down and sign as loud as I can. I find that helps me alot.

[Depressed1996 in reply to thelostone13]

The music part I am working on for sure. Driving give me lots of anxiety just cause car crashes and stuff. But I'm sure if I lived in the country it would be nicer.

[KrierandRosie]

I do as much around the house as possible. I have two Siberian huskies who crave attention even though one of them is too difficult for me to walk. He has to be walked by my husband. I check the job boards daily, since I am looking for part time. No one seems to want me though I have had many interviews. I belong to many online groups. I work out daily at LA Fitness. Anything I can think of blocks out too much thinking. But I revert back to worrying, anxiety and sadness that I fight off constantly. Are most of you working and in a career? I went searching for this community and I am glad I found it. It does give me some comfort knowing there are others who have similar problems.

[Depressed1996 in reply to KrierandRosie]

I am not working. I make minimal amounts of money doing random mini jobs online. I live with my mother who is my main support for medical finances. I often wonder what I would do without her here but lately it's somthing I've been trying to keep off my mind.

For me working was extremely painful. It gave me so much time to think about all my problems. I worked with consumers so I had to always have a fake face on. With my co workers no one new I was having any issues other then my boss. It was to hard for me to even bring it up. I found my self crying in the bathroom a lot. I ended up quitting. I have been spending my days feeling like a shadow to my family members. I am constantly sitting or standing next to them for comfort.

But many many people on here do work. And many of them find that it's the only time of day that they are not thinking about there problems! So it just depends on the person. Like you said cleaning and working out helps so working may be a good distraction. For me I clean but I still think to much as I do it.

I also have dogs I take care of, they are the best. Couldn't survive without dogs in my life.

I agree with you. I am very happy to have found this community. I appreciate you comment.

[Depressed1996 in reply to Depressed1996]

Your*

[Wilburbudgirl]

Have you heard of a bullet journal?

[Depressed1996 in reply to Wilburbudgirl]

No? What's that?

[Wilburbudgirl in reply to Depressed1996]

If you look it up online there is an official bullet journal website, (it’s a combination of a journal/ your on planner) but you can basically do anything you want with one....you don’t need an expensive journal or expensive supplies for one...just a notebook and pen will do if that’s what you like. It also does not have to minimalistic even thought the man who created it is minimalistic it has expanded and you can find a lot of different things about it online or Instagram....so you can chose to do whatever you want I’ve heard that I can be helpful for people with anxiety as it can be calming and keep your mind busy. I enjoy it lot and it is helpful with my anxiety...I personally go for doing drawings and use makers and things to decorate it as that’s what makes it fun to me

[Depressed1996 in reply to Wilburbudgirl]

thank you for sharing. I should do something like this.

[20Voices]

Target archery is a great sport. I unfortunately had to leave my club because I couldn't afford to keep going to it and also my ex husband was going there which made things difficult. I used the archery as a challenge to get me out of the house and it was also a way to keep the mind busy so that I didn't think about my other issues.

When I stopped the archery I started reading again. I also take walks round my local town and found a map showing 10 local walks that I never thought about, so I am doing those. I also started to grow plants again as I used to have my flat filled with plants when I first moved into my first place. I was so busy with my archery and my ex husband that I only had one plant in the house. I now have plants and herbs growing in my kitchen, livingroom and bedrooms. I recently got some spider plant cuttings and am growing those. I also managed to get some garden peas and strawberries this year. My tomato plants have been a disaster this year, but I will try again next year.

I also have plans to make my Christmas presents this year and already have a lot of my Christmas cards made.

I find making cards and crocheting also help me to relax and I can crochet and watch TV at the same time.

There are a lot of crafting hobbies that you can do without costing you too much to start and are so relaxing as well.

If you want to do something with your Mum why not ask her if there is something she'd like to try and maybe go to a class together?

[Depressed1996 in reply to 20Voices]

You are right. Asking my mom to take a class with me does sound like something I would enjoy. Thank you for your advice. I hope your day is going well.

[Windy101]

Reading, writing, watching a good movie if I can find one on TV. I suspect yall is short for y'all which is short for "you all." It's an expression from the U.S. southern region.

[Depressed1996 in reply to Windy101]

Yes haha "you all" is not part of my vocabulary being down here.

Do you ever get sad or anxious during movies? I havnt been able to watch many for a few years. With friends I sortve just don't pay attention to the movies as they are on. I cry during like every movie lol.

[Windy101]

I usually just watch movies on TV by myself when I need a distratction. Then if I don't like it, I switch until I find something I do. I do get restless and bored otherwise. I don't cry very much at movies - I stay away from sentimental romances because I think they're kind of dumb, lol. One thung that I don't like to do but that works as a good distraction is cleaning! UGH! But it does keep my mind off things.

[Depressed1996 in reply to Windy101]

I have been trying to get myself to like cleaning to. It does help lol no matter how much I hate it. I think if I find some good music maybe I can get myself to enjoy it.

[Windy101 in reply to Depressed1996]

YES! Having music on definitely makes cleaning easier, you're right!

[Hidden]

Drawing, listening to music, gardening. Used to go to gym but can't now so I'm gonna try kettle bell training at home. Going to the mountains. Walking and some cycling.

[Depressed1996 in reply to Hidden]

I'd like to start gardening sometime soon for sure.

[Depressed1996 in reply to Depressed1996]

Wish I had some good mountains. Unfortunately I live in a flat state. I'm about 2 hours away from any nice trails. I have been getting myself to go though. I just have so much anxiety driving to them. Once I get there it's very nice though.

[Hidden in reply to Depressed1996]

If you keep driving to them you start to get used to it and feel OK about driving to there? ☺

[Hidden in reply to Depressed1996]

No time like the present 😉

[MrsBleezzy]

I had the same problem, all my old hobbies that I once found enjoyable n longer are. About 2 years ago someone turned me onto Zentangle. I read up on it on-line, watched you-tube videos etc. Let me tell you, within 30 days it turned my life around, literally. Give it a try for 30 days and I guarantee you will see a change within yourself. It only takes 15 min or so, but you can Zentangle for hours if you want. When I am bored or not in the mood for Zentangling, I work on learning new patterns for my Zentangle pattern index journal. Sometimes I will Zentangle in a 5 x 9 sketchbook, or a 8 x 11 size, I even have a little kit made from a small first aid plastic box ($1 at Dollar store) that I keep in my purse to take with me and use anywhere I am. It is the perfect size to hold a small pencil, several card stock papers, and a folded up cheat sheet of Zentangle Patterns, pen in tow. There is even a facebook group where I can download templates that have sketches of various objects, and or animals to Zentangle. For awhile I was even learning on-line and doing Zendala's/Mendala's, and sometimes I just color in one of my adult coloring books just to break it up and change the pace. But do check out the Zentangle.com website, and I also recommend; tanglepatterns.com. There are literally hundreds of sites out there with daily, and weekly assignments to keep you busy. All you need is a pencil, pen, and paper, that's it, so if you have no budget like me this is manageable. I recommend for an inexpensive pen to use the Pilot Precise V5 Rt, and my new fav Papermate Ink Joy Gel, both pens are affordable, and last a long time. Family Dollar has pens real cheap that I also use, the Pro X-tank and the Roller elite I recommend. Good luck...

[Depressed1996 in reply to MrsBleezzy]

Thank you for your response. I am for sure going to look this up and see what it's about. Would love to give it a try.

[WorrySmalls]

I crochet each and everyday.