Non-shopping distractions and hobbies - YouLookFab Forum

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Non-shopping distractions and hobbies

catgirl

Veteran

I know we've discussed these before, but in the context of other life changes, I'm looking for new challenges. Rock climbing and making jewelry are two of my passions, along with reading and movies. Recently my DS started middle school, my best friend left to teach in Africa for a year, and I turned 50.

I used to be a mushroom hunter, and I've taken that up again since it's been such a rainy summer full of mushrooms here (porcini - woot!). And I'm seriously considering learning the ukulele. And I signed up for a one-night painting class with a friend - it includes dinner and dessert and all supplies, and you come out with a finished painting.

Anyone else (Staysfit, BC!) looking to fill a non-wardrobe hole with some meaningful pursuits and distractions?

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45 replies

Latest reply was from annagybe

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Sewing, knitting, and jewelry-making. That way I can have a wardrobe with the colors, shapes, and materials I want, regardless of what some store buyer thought might sell this season.

Mochi

Veteran

I like the idea of learning to sew (and learn simple clothing design) very much.

The mushroom thing is fascinating.

Cooking classes look like a lot of fun, too.

JAileen

Veteran

My 92 YO mother learned to play the ukulele in her 80s. She already played the piano and oboe. Her retirement home has a huge ukulele group, with at least 20 people. I've been trying to learn to play my guitar for years. I'm still not proficient. I'm signing up for a drawing class this fall - three hours once a week.

Anonymous

I've been getting up real early and going out on the lake in the kayak. It's a great way to start the day, seeing the world in such a tranquil setting!

Also, gardening, gardening, and more gardening. Nothing glamorous, mostly maintenance stuff like weeding and clean-up. Getting ready for some fall planting!

AG, if you run across any truffles, send them my way!!

shedev

Veteran

I'm starting grad school this week. MS in Mental Health Counsellor. I also do Krav Maga (Isreal martial arts) and strong lifts. I'd like to get out the sewing machine and do a project or two if I have time.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Yeah, I am in this boat too. Turning 50 in October, daughter heading to boarding school for her senior year. I have a little beach vacation planned, but tbh I was mostly planning on ramping up my exercise goals, and getting caught up on work before I jump into major new activities. If I could find a good pet sitter, travel would be at the top of my agenda. I also dreamed up the plot of half of a YA novel if I could find the time to tackle it.

donnat

Veteran

I like yoga, love painting, I do like the sewing machine as well, wine making, I read a lot...then there is the really fun stuff, laundry, cooking, vaccuming....

Windchime

Veteran

Jewelry making sounds great--a very creative outlet. And how cool is mushroom hunting?!

I'm another gardener; over the years, my focus has shifted from creating beauty to creating a haven for birds and insects, especially pollinators, while also creating beauty.

I want to try Tai Chi.

Cerinda

Veteran

I seem to need more time in the outdoors than I did when I was so busy with children, almost as much as I needed as a teenager. So far, my wanting to go back to sewing is just talk.

Peri

Veteran

Reading, movies and ballroom dance. That last one gets majorly expensive if you get really in to it, but you get to wear all kinds of great clothes. No worries about anything being over the top in ballroom!

Gaylene

Veteran

Always reading, of course! But my latest passion is turning out to be painting, of all things. I've been exploring acrylics, watercolours, and pastels, along with a bit of sketching, Instead of trying for a "finished" product, I'm focusing on just playing and learning. Who knew trees could be so interesting...

Carla

Veteran

Life is a buffet, and currently my plate is so full stuff is falling off! The thing I miss the most is music. I started taking piano lessons in my mid to late 40's and got to grade 8 Royal Conservatory before relocating. Once I am retired (18 months!) I will be getting myself a teacher and working on making up for lost time.

Foraging for wild food sounds like such a fun thing...on so many levels. Muchrooms! Yum!

Muffin

Veteran

I'm loving all these answers! With school starting next week for my 7th grader, i plan to get more scheduled with my fitness-something about the beginning of the school year helps reset my goals. I also plan to start some volunteer hours in the community. Read more!

rachylou

Veteran

My thing for the past year has been Scandinavian cooking. I have been collecting old and new cookbooks, ordering DVDs, watching old Julia Child, etc. I'm thinking about planting a cedar tree so I can have cedar tips, lol. However, I have to admit I sidetrack a bit with no-stove historical cooking. Baking without an oven is fascinating. Or a fridge. I 'need' to investigate how laminated dough was made without being able to chill it properly... I like hobbies where there's lots to think about...

Jane

Veteran

I really like my sketchbook, A5 ish in size, to look and draw things, as and when. I have carried it around with me and used it to occupy a few mins in a coffee shop, or taken it out and drawn things. I went on a three day course with an inspiring tutor about 6 years ago, and have stuck with it since. Its fab! I have found those Frixion pens, great for drawing and rubbing out. I love looking back through the sketches.

Sally

Veteran

Interesting reading....great ideas for pastimes. I love the idea of scandinavian cooking....loved the food when I went to Denmark. Also the sketchbook idea..I'm no artist but a friend of mine who was an art teacher encouraged me to keep a visual diary where i used to put in clippings and quotes etc...anything that resonated with me. I still have it but haven't done it for years. I'm motivated to go back to it now.
I like walking with my ipod, reading and op shopping (does that come under retail though...it's cheap and I figure I'm helping charity). I also have a old fashioned bike with basket which I need to fix as I like riding that. My son and I used to be into geocaching at one time. I've also done a lot of bookcrossing (www.bookcrossing.com )in the past when I lived in another city with a fantastic group there..where I live now it's not as active but I still meet up with others. When my son is older I would like to start going to bookcrossing conventions in other places.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I need to be better about this too. I tend to fill time with idle online poking around, and it is alarming sometimes to realize how much of a time suck it can be!

I'm in the enviable but sometimes challenging situation of having made my primary "hobby" into my full-time pursuit. I can get a little burnt out on photography, even though I love it. I need to play with it more -- I tend to either feel a lot of pressure (self-imposed) to make "better" pictures or I feel like I'm in a rut.

When I start thinking of a list of pursuits, my brain comes up with a lot of "shoulds." I should exercise more. I should go to galleries and museums more. I should cook more. I should get out in the yard and do more gardening (my epic poison ivy episode this summer put a damper on my enthusiasm for that, not to mention the oppressive heat). Etc. And then the rebellious part of me wants nothing to do with those "shoulds."

I would like to travel more. Even just shorter trips of 2-3 days to various areas to hike and take photos. But it's hard to do with hubs away so much -- boarding or arranging care for four dogs is not so easy. Day trips are hard for that same reason.

Hmm. One of the attractions for shopping is that it's a easy way to fill an hour or two in between other obligations, and it doesn't require getting sweaty (usually) or special equipment or arrangements. I need to find other ways to fill those times. I love to read, but I need something a bit more active or productive that I can pick up and put down easily. I'll be following this thread for more ideas!

catgirl

Veteran

Janet, yes, the "should" category can turn into self-scolding and pressure, which is the opposite of what a relaxing hobby ought to be! This is why I don't garden... Most people love it and do it here, but I find it tedious and more like a chore. Travel, reading, crafts, and exercise I consider to be fun (hiking, climbing, skiing) are my best outlets. And shopping/browsing, but that is becoming too much of a time and money suck...

As winter approaches, I also need to be social and not cooped up, so I am looking at organizing a group of friends that will rent a space and take turns compiling dance music lists for a dance party every other month in winter - we could do themes like blues or disco or hiphop, or just take turns putting faves together.

What a fun and interesting group here - lots of ideas to consider!

Classically Casual

Veteran

How about a big stretch athletic goal of some sort? Something you'd really have to sink your teeth into to perform well. I don't know what the possibilities are in your area. A long cross country ski race?

Barbara Diane

Veteran

IRL I've been spending too much time on tv and online. I've cut down some of the tv, and reevaluating what I am still doing. I realized that some of my online is learning, which I've always liked and still value.

Yesterday I added something new, and a challenge for me. I got trained and started making campaign calls.

I'm also trying to decide a longer term plan for volunteering. What causes, how many hours, etc. I already am a fill-in volunteer at a small non-profit gift shop. I had helped with fifth grade math at a local low income school one hour a week for three years but did not feel I was making much of an impact, so I stopped.

Today I'm starting another round of organizing. I'm actually going to a facilitated de-cluttering club meeting.

I'm also looking forward to making outfits with my fall/winter clothing. I figure that will ensure a hot spell.

DH and I recently started seeing foreign films and more serious films. Although sometimes I feel like I'm dragging him, we are really liking it.
Same with one person shows. And local gallery art exhibitions.

We took a three night vacation and it was amazing for our relationship and stress busting.

I have taken over DH2's bedroom for jewelry and crafts but haven't done much.

I'm swimming more. But walking less.

This time of year always makes me wonder how I want to spend the next year, and more lately, my life. More than New Years. I guess that's because of all those years centered around the school year.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'm trying to figure out new distractions for everything. Not doing too well.

Sal

Veteran

My hobbies/activities/volunteering at the moment revolves around

- the gym
- walking
- yoga once a week
- children's athletics committee
- gardening
- reading
- online browsing - YLF/Facebook - not much shopping
- cooking (part of it is a hobby - I have started making ricotta and have a cheese kit to make other cheeses)

I have a lot of projects to do around our house...

I don't feel I am developing my creative side much at the moment and I would like a hobby in this area.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

How do you all find time for all of this? (She asked, sheepishly...slinking away to do something she was supposed to do five months ago...)

Helen11

Veteran

Well, if I had nothing else to do I would do the ironing!
I am in the busy phase with school aged kids and their activities. I can't wait to retire and do the things *i* want to do!

Anonymous

More exercise, especially for my upper body.

More cooking

Will add ironing when the weather cools off. I can't face it in the Summer.

More housework to keep on my feet and moving.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Home decorating is a big hobby for me - currently working on the back deck, new stain color, colorful outdoor rug, some new chair cushions. We're thinking of adding a Jacuzzi out there for this fall/winter. I also help friends with home decorating projects and frequently redecorate rooms and areas in our house - sometimes just rearranging items from room to room, sometimes adding new pillows or artwork, not necessarily big expenses.

Health and nutrition are big study topics for me and I can spend hours reading up on it. I also just love to research in general so I do that when it's too hot to enjoy being outdoors.

Hiking is my favorite outdoor hobby but it's been either too hot/humid or raining here lately to enjoy that one. I'm really SO looking forward to cooler temps. I enjoy vegetable/herb gardening in good weather but I don't like other yard work such as mowing or trimming.

RobinF

Veteran

This is a great thread! You guys are inspirational!

I also like to make jewelry, would like to develop other activities to do with that like metalwork. Love to read, knit, decorate. I have recently taken up strength training in a small group setting, while not really a hobby I am enjoying it. Also my husband and I are both fairly arty, I think it would be fun to take a painting or sketching class together, as long as I accept right up front that he is going to be better than I am!

AviaMariah

Veteran

Great inspirational thread! Since having my two DDs (almost 4 and 2 yrs old) and have pretty much let anything that could be called a hobby go by the wayside. Between babies and two demanding careers DH and I have been treading water for the last 4 years. But this fall when our second turns 2 we will officially be moving out of the baby stage and I'm looking forward to adding anything that could be called a hobby back into my life. Decorating, cooking, running, book club, blogging (maybe).... anything really. I'll have to read through some of the answers on on this post for some ideas. I think I have turned to fashion during this time because it's possible to do in small snippets of time; on a break from work, on my phone while I'm rocking a baby etc. Plus it the only thing that's all about me! Like Suz said, how do you find the time. That's the challenge.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Annagybe, hang in there. Also, not sure if finding distractions is the hard part, or they aren't actually distracting you. If it's the later, maybe some form of breathing, meditation, journaling, etc. might help. Sometimes writing it down can help release some of the intensity.

AviaMaria, it can be very challenging with such young kids. I am well past that stage.
Looking back, I should have made sure my husband and I had date night more often. And focused on each other more. And taken some time for myself. And time for reflection.
DH and I and the kids are all good, everyone knows they are loved, but we could have had more fun and joy in our lives.

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