I need a new hobbie (distraction).... suggestions?

[Bumblebeelane]

At the stage where kids more independent. Work part time. Enjoy a good film with OH. Go fell walk with my dad. But I am after trying something new, just for me, and help me switch off from the news, internet and phone! 😸

I tried calligraphy. Unfortunately I just haven't the patience. Knitting and sewing not for me either. I am thinking of drawing or painting. Not an artist or artistic type by nature but saw something on TV about how art is great for mental health.

What is your past time and how did it start for you?

I like journaling, building Lego sets and doing my own gel nails

Crochet, or amigurumi crochet (tiny stuffed animals/toys). Because they’re so small you actually finish a project and get a nice sense of satisfaction.

I watch crochet YouTube tutorials which means I have to fully concentrate and can’t watch tv at the same time.

Lego.
You don't have to be imaginative - you could just follow the instructions which is quite therapeutic and relaxing.
(Or you can experiment and build whatever you fancy)

It’s not my hobby but my friend does colouring - pretty portable too

Ceramics.

I'm not arty at all either, and I'm enjoying doing paint by numbers .

Jigsaws
Duolingo
BBC Maestro courses
Crosswords/Word puzzles
Inktober

Most of them started to stop my life vanishing into Mumsnet.

See how well that is working

I make bears, sometimes memory bears for people I know, sometimes just for fun. I use 'bear' fabric as well as any interesting fabrics or worn out clothes I have in my stash. They range in size from 12 inches down to 1 inch. All fully jointed. Very therapeutic (and keeps the munchies at bay too).

😂@MsNightingale

Ooh plenty to go at there! Love finding out about history and stuff. Wish I'd done something along those lines rather than healthcare really but knee deep into career and not the time to retrain. Yet. The BBC courses are a thought! Wonder if there are free or low cost historical educational courses. Wonder if I could moonlight at a historical site or building! 🤷 Ooh this thread is getting me thinking....

You don’t mention any friends?

During covid and being on my own I bought an adult painting by numbers kit and have carried on buying them. I find them so good for my mental health.

I love a good jigsaw. I even have a favourite brand.
It has to be an achievable one though, not one of the baked beans or jelly baby ones, else I get frustrated and give up

Diamond art.
paint by numbers just using tiny little “gems”
Takes hours to complete and a lot of concentration. Plus you don’t need any artistic skills. A decent kit will also come with the tools and tray needed.

I knit, crochet and make journals. I enjoy making collages.
Have you had a look at the OU free online courses? They offer quite a few history courses.

OpenLearn

Can you sing? There are lots of choirs looking for members and they tend to be quite sociable.

Lucky to have four lovely friends, the ones you can truly count on, trust and love them beyond. We get together every month or so when our calendars allow, and girls weekend once a year. They're my sanity! But I also cherish my own space and company ❣️

I’m loving Lego at the moment, have also got a map quiz book that I love! House plants and a jigsaw keep me busy. Also going to have a go at macrame

If you like history, how about online lectures and courses? There’s a site called Academic Earth that has loads of online undergraduate courses from top universities that you can watch. This is the history section:

Academic Earth history

There are also loads of things on YouTube. The National gallery, the Royal Institution, places like that have some great lectures. Some of the history festivals and science festivals are on line; I like York University Festival of Ideas.

What about something physical?

Running? This is the most wonderful past time for mental health I find
team sport? Badminton? Table tennis? Rambling?

win win. A hobby and good for your health

In a similar thread on here someone mentioned they have summer hobbies and winter hobbies. I totally agree with this - get outside when the weather is good and get cosy at home when it’s not.

So in sumner I garden, walk a lot and swim.

Year round I read and do yoga

In winter I do jigsaws and crochet

Could you volunteer at a local museum if you are into history?
Jigsaws
yoga (class or online)

Thanks all. Some great suggestions.

@MsNightingale checked out the link. Looks brilliant!

I do life drawing classes - Monday evening 6.30 - 9.30pm. It's very therapeutic. Oh and there's a famous actor in my class which has nothing to do with anything.

I've done a choir before which I loved. And ld like to do pottery.