Any suggestions for improving life with depression?

[Turnitupto11]

I've had depression on and off for many years. On top of that now I'm menopausal, have constant aches and pains, IBS, health anxiety, generalised anxiety and probably more. I'm on ADs and probably need to speak to my gp about upping the dose.

I'm really struggling to do anything at the moment. I thought it would be nice to start a hobby, but I can't think what.

I'm not artistic, I've not a lot of patience, I can't stand glue on my hands (little bit on the spectrum possibly). I can knit but get fed up of trying to think of something to knit, the easy things aren't much use and my hands and wrists are painful so I struggle with larger things. I'm also on a tight budget. I've tried needle felting but it never turned out how it was supposed to. I've tried crocheting but not that keen. I'm in a considerable amount of pain a lot of the time, so not considering exercise at the moment, and I can't concentrate on yoga. I'd just like something easy to do with my hands that makes me feel like I've achieved something. I'm on quite a tight budget but could buy a kit, maybe up to £20.

Any suggestions welcome! TIA

Wooden model kits
Glass painting
Fabric painting
Learning an instrument
Keeping a bonsai tree
Ceramics
Mosaics

Thanks for the ideas I have many house plants, I thought about a bonsai tree, but don't really have any space left!

Also for painting, not a lot of space and I'm not artistic either.

So far I've added a few things to my Amazon basket and I've bought a notebook as a journal and a colouring book at The Works. I looked at jigsaws there too, but I should do the one I've got first.

Any more suggestions, anyone?

Cat

I have a cat but I lost my oldest one about ten months ago and am struggling to recover. He was a horror but I loved him so much, he had so much personality

Stained glass making? Smaller items like sun catchers etc. not sure how expensive the equipment is mind you.

I'll have a look, thanks.

That's lovely I bought a colouring book from The Works yesterday. I too get frustrated that they're very small, but I really like houses/street drawings, I got a book with castles to colour in, maybe they'll be too fiddly. What was your book called? I'll look on Amazon.

Thanks

Learn singing, many videos on YouTube.
Learn a new language.
Learn to cook new cuisine.
Knitting? (will is expensive though)
Handlettering (cheap and you can make cards for friends)
Learn mending clothes properly (random, but very useful)

Thank you. I'm learning (refreshing) French on the Duo app.
I can knit and have lots of oddments of wool, but no idea what to knit.
I can sew a little, have no machine though, but can mend most things I need to.
I'll look for singing lessons online.

What about keeping a journal? Helps to reflect on your emotions. You can either write or there are apps to use.

Re your health, have you spoken with the GP about some HRT? That may help with the pain you’re experiencing.

Thanks. I have bought a notebook to use as a journal, I couldn't find an app I liked. Any recommendations?

I do have hrt but suspect it's not high enough, should probably speak to my gp about increasing the dose.

No, I’m the same re finding an app. I like to waffle on in a journal

It’s worth the conversation with your GP. If the HRT helps with joint pain it might help your mood? Just a thought

The problem is it isn't helping apart from with hot flushes. Because it's a patch I don't know if they can increase the dose, but I need to ask.