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Hobbies - Blog Posts
hobbies masterpost!
a really excellent way to reduce anxiety is to pick up a new hobby. find something you’re interested in, learn it, then use it as a healthy and productive way to cope.
learn to play guitar
learn how to make interactive stories with the free program Twine
learn how to make pixel art
learn another language
learn how to build a ship in a bottle
learn how to develop your own film
learn how to embroider
learn how to make chiptunes (8-bit music)
learn how to make origami (the art of paper folding)
learn how to make tumblr themes
learn how to make jewelryÂ
learn how to make candy
learn how to make terrariums
learn how to make your own perfume
learn how to make your own tea
learn how to build birdhouses
learn how to read tarot cards
learn how to make zines
learn how to code
learn how to whittle (wood carving)
learn how to make candles
learn how to make clay figurines
learn how to knit scarves
learn how to become an amateur astronomer
learn some yoyo tricks
learn how to start a collection
learn how to start body building
learn how to edit wikipedia articles
learn how to decorate iphone cases
learn how to do freelance writing
learn how to make your own cards and
learn how to make your own envelopes
learn how to play the ukuleleÂ
learn how to make gifs
learn how to play chess
learn how to juggle
learn how to guerrilla garden
learn how to chart your family history
learn how to keep chickens
learn how to do yoga
learn how to do magic tricks
learn how to raise and breed butterflies
learn how to play dungeons & dragons
learn how to skateboard
learn how to do parkour
learn how to surf
learn how to arrange flowers
learn how to make stuffed animals
This! I started writing fanfic and it's the best thing I've done for my mental health in years.
Hot take everyone needs at least one creative hobby to accompany their consumptive ones. I don’t mean just art and writing I mean literally anything where you create something. Embroidery, cooking, knitting, gardening, wood whittling, trap making, needle felting, instrument playing, bug raising, fandom analysis writing, ANYTHING where you do work and can hold the fruits of your labor in you hands. Anything where you MAKE something else.
Something that isn’t a career choice. Something you don’t have to be good at. As long as it brings you joy.
Please get hobbies, they enrich your life.
did you know that the first person in history to explain why the night sky is black was american mystery writer edgar allan poe, amateur astronomer, who published a rambling poem about his observations and ended up solving the olbers' paradox
never underestimate urself
I can't change the names and sell my fanfic because it was written under the premise that people already have the requisite background knowledge to enjoy it.
They already know who everyone is and how they're all connected to each other, what the plot is, what all the locations are, etc.
If I changed the names and tried to sell it, I'd have to also write the backstory.
The summary of my first story is this:
I wish I could say that my breakup with Kim was sudden. Or that it was entirely my fault. Or that it was completely my decision, un-influenced by anything or anyone else. But none of that is true. But like all good stories, we start at the beginning…
Which gets people interested because they know who Kim and Ron are and that they dated, and want to know what caused them to breakup.
However, if I changed the names:
I wish I could say that my breakup with Katie was sudden. Or that it was entirely my fault. Or that it was completely my decision, un-influenced by anything or anyone else. But none of that is true. But like all good stories, we start at the beginning…
You get a terrible romance with a lot of drama that no one wants to read, due in no small part to them not knowing who these characters are and why they should care about their breakup.
Even if your fanfic is an AU like mine, it's still entwined with canon.
And simply changing the names wouldn't be enough to fix that.
And, of course, the insistence on monetizing every hobby someone has is toxic, too.
Hobbies are meant to be fun. Not work.
It really is crazy how if you mention you write fanfiction with people outside fandom, they're always like "you should change the names and try to sell it." It misses the point (fun), but more importantly to me, I get slightly (and I know irrationally) insulted on a craft level. Excuse me, my fanfic is entwined with the canon, thank you very much. I wish sometimes less entwined. You wouldn't believe the stupid bullshit some of my fics have to include because of canon.
Life Hack
Find people who enjoy the things you do. Where your values align. It will save you a load of heartbreak.
have you ever been so excited about something and shared it with a loved one, a friend, family member or colleague and their reaction left you wanting? I'll be honest, their reaction sucked, it sucked all the life and excitement from you, so you learnt to keep quiet and keep things to yourself? this kills you slowly.
since I found people who appreciate the same things I do, the things I value? my life has significantly improved. the life and excitement is back. I have friends I know I can talk their ear off when it comes to fitness or yoga, I have friends who make me feel like I am in a bookclub.
find people who make it easy to be you. who encourage your full authentic expression. find different people for different things. I have friends who love me to death and till I figured out we didn't share the same interests I was miserable. I'd keep going to them and end up disappointed.
truth is think of times when someone brought up something that held no interest to you? you might not have shut them down but trust me your energy came across as detached, removed. its like this is my friend, I'll humor them, I'll listen but it just isn't the same.
then think of times when someone brought up something that interested you? how excited, how animated, how responsive you got? how long, how uninhibited, the conversation. the passion, your involvement. suddenly you're sharing your preferences, your icks, discussing any and everything?
find different people for different aspects of your life. I have a friend that I go to for education related stuff, I know that with her I'll be seen and heard and I'll come out of the interaction filled and fulfilled. I have friends I know I can vent and rant and be insane with and I won't get the urge to shrink or dim any part of me.
this occurred to me when I realized I didn't know anyone in my friend group who loves adventure and I was left wondering how I could fill the void. I answered my own question for example finding a bookclub if you like to read, joining a running club if that is something you would want to explore and so on and so forth.
this saves you from a lot of resentment when your friends can't be there for you, it also fills your life with so much juice. a full life.
a lesson I have been learning of late is that my friends don't have to be everything for me. it's okay to go to different people for different things. a community is much more sustainable and you can create your own or join an already existing one.
go live, I love you đź©·
When does life start to feel heavy?
When your hobbies start to feel like chores
I just want the lightness and freedom back
My husband is ill and there's nothing more I can do for him, so my mania is taking over. I've done the quiet clean ups and retried making banana nut bread with this recipe. The first time I made it I had a dumb and forgot flour... you know, the main ingredient in bread. I need more hobbies that keep my hands busy because when I run out of chores, my manic episode worsens, and I feel as though I want to crawl out of my skin and scream.
Bipolar really is something.
cooking
i wanna learn how to cook better dishes, I think the microwaveable food I make for myself now isn't cutting it anymore.. I gotta eat healthier and be a little bit kinder to my bodey
Always wanted to become something, couldn't due to bad decisions so chose a different career path. And now I have 40 something different things I'm trying to fill that void, I hope as an adult my perception changes or maybe after I'm done w some of em, until then, I'll try my best đź‘ľ
Yes! Hobbies are so important. There are a lot of random things you can do that keep you engaged and just make you feel so much more satisfied and fulfilled in your life!
Reading is probably one of my favorite things to do ever, and if anyone is specifically interested in books that are by women and about women, this post that I made a little while ago has 51 book recs in that category! Also if anyone just wants to talk about books feel free to hit me up, I’ve always got tons more recs for other people and am always happy to receive them as well! I just started reading The Forgotten Queens of Islam by Fatima Mernissi and am loving it so far.
Also, here’s a couple of my more unusual hobbies:
I love making stained glass! I’m not a super artsy person, but I’ve found that making stained glass patterns is much easier for me than drawing or painting, and I love cutting and grinding the glass and putting the pieces together and being able to hold it in my hands after and put it up in windows! Having something physical that you made is a super satisfying thing. (my profile pic is a piece I made last summer)
Ice skating! I’ve figure skated on and off since I was young, and these days I make it a point to head to the rink about once a week to just glide around and rock out to whatever music they’re playing and attempt jumps without falling on my butt lol. It’s also a really fun way to stay fit!
There’s just so many different things you can do! Whether what you do is commonplace or unique, just find what works for you and have fun with it!
I think one thing me and other girls my age are missing out are good, creative hobbies that don't revolve around media consumption - do you have any advice on picking up a hobby? It can be specific to things you enjoy in particular or not.
Try it.
Just try it.
Then collect hobbies like anything else.
I saw a girl post a cross-stitch on insta, thought “I could learn that”, bought the stuff then learned it in a week. I churned out so many. Now, I go back to it maybe once a year.
I bought canvases and paints and just started copying other art I saw until it looked about the same. I paint when the urge strikes, every other month?
My friend asked if I wanted to join a rec league with him. I’ve never played the sport before. I said yes. I’m liking it, but not love. I probably won’t go back. I’ll probably try another.
I got bored of cooking, so I started following complex and detailed foreign recipes to make it engaging and fun. I’m learning something new every night.
I watch every new horror movie that comes out on netflix. I have a routine around it - face masks, snacks, lighting. It’s my own indulgence.
I buy a new book every time I fly somewhere. I’m collecting novels on a big shelf. I grab things on crazy topics, whatever I’m curious about. “We’re witches real healers?” Bought a book. “What does death look like in other cultures?” Bought a book.
Just do stuff. You don’t have to love everything. You don’t have to do it every day. Just try things, and say yes to experiences, and pursue every fleeting passion. Get hyper obsessed for one week, dive deep, and then abandon it for a year. Rinse, repeat. It keeps you busy, engaged, learning, and your mind active.
I love hobbies!
Joyful hobbies for the fabulous-minded
1. Learning languages
Learning languages is not only for communication but also for broadening your mind. Figuring out different modes of thinking, learning about other cultures, being able to pronounce words from different geographies is never not fun!
2. Gardening - inhouse plants
Not all of us is blessed with yards, but we can all appreciate taking care of beautiful greens. It teaches patience and train you to notice small details. Nothing makes a room pleasant as a beautiful plant. I have more than 30 plants in my house - the secret is to start with simplest species and up your way to more complicated ones.
3. Writing
Journaling has always been popular but I doubt it is everyone's cup of tea (including yours truly). However, writing small articles and collections for your own eyes helps clearing your mind. And why not try dabbling in fiction, if so inclined?
4. Dancing
A hard one for me! But for everyone who has a little rhythm inside, learning to dance with a partner is a fun challenge. I believe everyone should be able to waltz, even in the simplest way.
5. Sewing (or studying the basics of dressmaking)
Sewing is not only a hobby but also a life saver. Altering clothing to fit properly or designing items for you feels magical.
Understanding how garments are built is crucial for dressing yourself. Understanding cuts and materials also help you assess the worth of an item, so you can decide if a piece is worth splurging on. You could also choose to recreate an item for yourself if you are not able to purchase it for any reason.
6. Learning to cook (impressive recipes)
We all feed ourself in some way, but I strongly believe that everyone should have at least a few recipes with a wow factor in their arsenal.
7. Reading fiction
I see that reading self help books are quite popular, and I do understand the allure. However reading fiction (classics and also contemporary works) is at least as useful as non-fiction, it teaches as much. Fiction is a way to understand ourself and understand humanity, and it should be appreciated for personal growth.
Hope this short list makes you inspired to discover more joyful hobbies!
With love,
Marchesa