Hobbies

[mammaP]

#2

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

mammaP, those are beautiful and well done. Congrats, you have your mojo back!

[mattinsmom]

mommaP, the jewelry is beautiful! 

[areyouthere]

Beautiful earrings MamaP!! I like the subtle colors & petite design of these especially for an elderly person. How did your neighbor like them?

 

RU

[mammaP]

Thanks guys, I really enjoyed making them but it took ages and ages, I was all fingers and thumbs! 

My neighbour is delighted with them.  . I now have some proper storage boxes for all my bead stash 

and have started to go through them. One day I spent 4 hours sorting crystals. 3, 4, and 5 mm crystals.

The divided box they were in was dropped while moving house and they were swept up and dumped 

back in the box all mixed up! 35 different colours and sizes! It was actually very relaxing and took my

eyes away from screens for a while. 

[wulfgar]

I planted an avocado a few months back. Water it and watch it grow. Nice to see things grow. Hope inspiring somehow.

 

[Meimeiquest]

I too like growing things and learning to make natural replacements for chemical-ridden household things. But reading will always be my fave.

[mammaP]

I used to grow lots of plants and would love to again but I seem to kill everything these days .

The avocado is looking lovely and healthy, there certainly is something very therapeutic about growing plants from seed 

[CaffeineMan]

My hobbies are reading and cycling.  For helping with anxiety, I find that cycling is a great help.  I bike on a paved trail near my house, and it's 17.3 miles for me to do the entire trail and return home.  By the time I've done that, I usually feel better.

[Vanmichael]

Hello, I dont know if it has already been suggested but the hobby I found which really made an impact in my recovery was biking.  I bought a bicycle and started going for 10-20min rides around my neighborhood, that eventually turned into 2 hour rides through my city.  Biking has taken me into the forests and alongside nature, the ocean, the beach, it has taken me away from the noise of our busy lives.  I have lost weight, in a good way, and I always feel a bit better after a bicycle ride.   Wish you all the best

[btdt]

I have to go today, my 2 weeks are up tomorrow! 

I did download Bad Pharma by Ben Goldacre (?) onto my tablet, shame that doesn't count, lol. 

The rules are that I actually physically take myself next door, it is THAT close!! 

I do not believe my library does not have this book yet... how was it?  Worth buying?  

I have watched his videos and wonder if there is anything new in there that I have not read already.  

I also asked my library to get some books by Grace E Jackson ... did not get the call yet. 

[btdt]

What a great thread I am going to plant some seeds in cups I have cosmos seeds I took from last years plants... I am tired of winter time to a new start at new life.  If it dies I will start over... I don't care I have more seeds than I know what to do with.  

I use to have a veggy garden and flower garden at my own house I so miss that and loved working on my house... tending the gardens and the pool even.. loved my hammock most of all and the huge trees.  All that is gone now but I am going to make a new start on these cosmos... maybe even tonight if I can find any soil in this house. 

 

I am amazed at the achievements of people here we are a powerfully strong group.

 

I have recently taken up word find books... I know sounds mundane... my sister had a book at her house when I was visiting i did one page and found it oddly satisfying... this is not me... but maybe it is now so I bought one.  I like it.  I was at the dollar store and thought I may as well try the harder and possibly more interesting sudoku and can't seem to bring myself to do it...

I tried it once before in a new paper but was told I did it wrong ..then I was instructed in the correct way to do I could not follow the steps on how to do it... I think I have the gist of it now still have not tried... it may sit her forever.

 

Things I use to do.. sew my own patterns... I studied drafting use to have a mind for such things... that is behind me now... I do the odd bit of repair sewing but complex sewing no longer interests me.. I use to make wedding gowns for friends... ect... flower girl dresses... I use to bake and still do sometimes... did a stint in flours that are not wheat... ect got bord by the lack of decent food.

 

I like to take pictures of birds and animals that .live outside making their own way... felt homeless and did short stint in a shelter... so I have sympathy for things left out in the cold... like cats and birds on freezing days I take them food... I see them standing on the ice in bare feet and think **** if they can do that I can do this... and get on with it. 

 

I feed the cats at the beach too the strays that are too wild to ever tame lots of people do... they have small isulated houses down there... the other the people I mean are organized and come in groups to care for the cats.. I just do my own thing.  

 

These animals survive... I feel a kinship with them and I feel like I make a small difference in their lives by bringing them food when I can. 

 

I keep track of the swans in our local park and report to this elderly man who runs some swan program. 

 

I use to work in clay... had an artist bf.. who had clay laying around.. love love loved it... hours would go by I would not leave my chair.. I became immersed in clay.. how it feels and creating.  Maybe I should buy some clay again... money is tight generally not enough for things like clay.  I would have to know I would do before I would spend it... I don't have any room left in my room for anything new... so maybe clay is out.. will think about it. 

 

If my cosmos grow I will post a picture. 

 

I love sitting at the beach reading too seems a few of us find this peaceful... my car use to be my refuge too... I miss it.  Somehow have manged without it. I am getting use to the bus system will not say I like it but I am getting use to it. 

peace all and thanks for the good ideas...

 

lovely jewlery Mamma.. 

I use to knit slippers and all winter have been wishing I had a pair of those slippers but don t recall how to make them.

[wulfgar]

Please post pictures when your cosmos start to grow. Plants growing gives of such a great feeling. I am going to plant some dwarf tomatoes soon. I have seeds from a fantastic variety called yellow canary. It gets only 30 cm (12 inches) in height loaded with cherry tomatoes. I can grow these indoors till may when it is possible to carry them out daytime.

[btdt]

I will I planted them last night it may be too early but that leave wiggle room for failure... yes I now plan for it.  Failure is now an accepted part of life comes from experience.  I am not saying this in a down ward sort of way but in the pragmatic sense of playing the odds knowing the variables... something this life has taught me.  I find it helps to cushion blows when they come as small things can hit like blows when the bodies personal system is distressed during the healing process.  Since this process is so long for some of us it is best to prepare for things as much as possible as upsetting the apple cart as little as possible I think encourages the healing process. 

A proactive approach to preparedness until I reach a place where I am completely stable.  

[Wolfhound]

^{Thank you for this thread.}

^{I used to love so many things. I am currently thinking about trying restarting something. But I dont feel like it, I have no motivation ...no force.}

^{I loved cooking and baking above all. French pastry. Home made bread. Sauces.}

^{I loved reading, my favourite past time.}

^{I loved classical music.}

^{I loved crocheting....}

[BlueMonster]

I used to do so many things, and part of the reason i started taking the meds was because i felt overwhelmed and stressed and was not enjoying the things i enjoyed - if that makes sense. As I recover from my depression and seek to taper off of meds, i am finding that doing things I enjoy is a key part of winning the battle. Allowing myself to do things i enjoy, and allowing ,myself to enjoy them. I think another part o this that is importanti s finding a way to share your talent, that thing you enjoy with others. Not solely doing it for my own pleasure, but to bless and share with others.

 

I seek out and listen to music with an uplifitng message. I listen carefully,a nd intently to the words, and the instruments. With headphones, without, in the car, in the kitchen. I have come back to playing my guitar, and taking some lessons to improve. That has really helped me - to challenge myself - just a little in this area. I have been playing music at my church. I LOVE Pinterest, and Craigslist - im kind of a decor / design nerd. I also have been learning Photoshop this year - somethingi have always wanted to do. Part of the way I need to stay in balance is to recognize that I am super interested in a lot of things, and that it takes time to be as awesome at them as I wish I was. I can get discouraged easily, and want to quit.

 

Learning more about how I am made, and whqt my personality is is a fascinating thing to study also, and reqlly helpful i recovering from depression. I find myself wishing for more time and focus on healing and taking care physically...but again in everthing its important to find some balance. Too much time looking at the problems with determination to fix things that need time to heal is not productive. Take some time out to just enjoy something, to get a break. I also am very encouraged by the people who ride bikes and get outdoors. I want to do that more, but have really been finding it hard to make myself get out there. Its not my favortie, but i know it can help so much.

 

/end rambly post

[SouthernFreeze]

i really like surf casting (fishing from the beach) and collecting black metal music. But mainly just fishing lately, as the music i listen to can have a very negative feel and negative lyrics... which kind of makes me feel better when depressed or lets me dwell in it..

 

I can relate to people not feeling passionate about things, i love fishing and being out there in nature, but i just can't seem to be as enthusiastic as everyone else which is why i just fish by myself now.

[mammaP]

Fishing from the beach.........sounds idyllic, glad you have something you can enjoy SF. 

 

 

I will I planted them last night it may be too early but that leave wiggle room for failure... yes I now plan for it.  Failure is now an accepted part of life comes from experience.  I am not saying this in a down ward sort of way but in the pragmatic sense of playing the odds knowing the variables... something this life has taught me.  I find it helps to cushion blows when they come as small things can hit like blows when the bodies personal system is distressed during the healing process.  Since this process is so long for some of us it is best to prepare for things as much as possible as upsetting the apple cart as little as possible I think encourages the healing process. 

A proactive approach to preparedness until I reach a place where I am completely stable.  

 

I planted an avocado a few months back. Water it and watch it grow. Nice to see things grow. Hope inspiring somehow. image.jpg

 

How are the plants growing BT and Wulfgar? 

[btdt]

Sorry no green thumb they died. 

[wulfgar]

My plant is also having a bad time :-( Its growing to much to keep indoors and our summer has not started so i cant put it outdoors. We have had only 4 Celsius at night. So, i think i have to let it go. A little saddening that i planted something that i can not keep. Feel a bit responsible. Mirtazapine wd sure boosted my empathy! To much? Maybe we should treat some power-hungry politicians with mirtazapine?

[btdt]

The way some of our politicians are acting I am sure some of them are drugged :0 already. 

Seriously I have thought that from time to time with things I hear on the news

I have found a new hobby Fifa... I have never watched soccer in my life but have been ill and on the couch... I have even picked teams... I like it turn the sound down low and it has kept me entertained while I heal... whatever this is. 

peace all

[NewMe]

How about geocaching? I phone has an app for it if you have a smart phone. It costs nothing and you can find cache so many places. Can be done alone or with others. 

 

The other thing that allows me freedom to be alone - isolating I know - is instagram photography. Again, free. And smart phones have an app for it. You can submit photographs of things you happen upon. 

 

Meetup dot com has hobbies by locale if you are interested in meeting others with shared interests. 

[LoveandLight]

Jewellery making

 

Photography

 

Cooking

 

Hopefully when off meds and heal I can concentrate more to learn the technical bits of photography..bugger these meds take so much from you..

[MatGMax]

I do beekeeping as a hobby.

Though sometimes when the girls get very angry with me it doesn't help my anxiety levels in the short term.

(Only female bees sting ;-)

Sometimes at night wondering what my bees are doing helps me get to sleep.

So far this season I've got 70 kilo honey

(200 pounds or so I think)

 

Cheers

 

Damien

[LoveandLight]

Wondering what the bees are doing..cute!

 

Don't want to do anything, at all.

 

I was starting to get interest back in jewellery making.

 

Walking a lot in nature - meeting dogs and talking to them on the way.

 

My mum refurbished beautifully an old chair and that sparked my interest WAS going to try something.

 

Reading - can't concentrate.

 

Now, I feel as dead as a doh-doh but agitated as a..I'm not sure but don't want to do a thing and feel like all these interests belonged to someone else.

[MatGMax]

Hi Joannad,

 

it can be a right pain when even fun things don't feel fun!

 

I don't think I'll ever feel joy in a full on way like normal people do.

That is ok though as life is much better than it was and hopefully will continue to get better.

 

I'm hoping it gets better for you to Joannad and you start to enjoy your hobbies again in the future.

 

Cheers

 

Damien

[LoveandLight]

Aww thanks, Damien. I hope you continue to feel better.

[LoveandLight]

Cooking another love I remember

[brassmonkey]

Hi Damien-- bees can be quite interesting to keep.  My mother had several hives and several of my friends have them too. 

 

One of my hobbies is winemaking. Not so much anymore, now that I've been sober for a couple of years.  However, many of my friends have been asking me to start making Mead again. For those who haven't heard of it, it is honey wine, very potent and very delicious.  I won half a dozen first prizes at the Los Angeles County fair for mine a few years back.  It is really easy to make and with all that fresh honey Damien, you should give it a try.

[MatGMax]

You might be under estimating your skills brass monkey!

I made mead 5 years ago in little bottles to give away for my (and my wife's) wedding.

It ended up with some off flavours.

(The mead not the wedding ;-).

I thought about it this year as it can be tricky getting the last bit of honey out of wax cappings.

It would be easier to wash them in water, filter the water and then ferment.

But now with a 2 and 4 year old boys around it was a bridge too far.

Just being parents while both of us work is hard enough.

 

Out of interest, did you boil or otherwise sterilise your mix before adding yeast (did you add yeast/yeast nutrient?)

[brassmonkey]

Yes to both.  I simmer the honey water mixture for about 45 minutes to remove all the scum and impurities, otherwise it will never clear.  Once it is cool I added yeast nutrient and yeast, kept it warm and let the little bugs have a good time.  Rack it a couple of times and nine months later it's ready to bottle.

[MatGMax]

I found someone who will wash the honey off the wax cappings and make mead.

I'm due to do an honey harvest tomorrow.

 

Though my nice little 2-3 month window seems to have ended. It will probably just be hard slog rather than relaxing hobby tomorrow.

 

Window, window come again ;-)

[westcoast]

Beekeeping! My dad used to keep bees on the roof. I don;t think I'd be up to the maintenance right now, but I might try it when I am healthier and more competent. For now I'm going to try worm composting again. I have this stacked set of trays, which you fill with compost-able materials including paper, and let the worms go at it. Worms aren't as exciting as bees, but it's nice to have new friends.

 

I've also been growing plants in raised beds on the patio. It's a big jumble of wildflowers, tomatoes, sweet peas, and cilantro competing for sun. One of the tomatoes is queen of the patch, about 4 feet high, and holding itself up by draping itself on the elevated irrigation tubes. Lots of blossoms. I can't remember what kind of tomato it is though! Hoping it was a heritage one.

 

I also like keeping an eye on young fruit trees in the front yard. We've been getting decent rain and they seem to be doing well. There's an avocado and two young pomegranates. Just checked them. They are leafing out happily after the rains.

Started the day in a wave, but getting a bit of a window. Maybe because I transplanted some indoor herb seedlings outside, instead of staying online and endlessly researching esoteric topics such as "how to transplant seedlings."

[westcoast]

Damien, I hope your wave is a short, unsurfable one. You never know what might trigger a window...your mead production is fascinating. I've never even tasted mead...

[brassmonkey]

Just about time to clear out my garden beds to get the tomatoes planted.  I have several raised beds along the back wall that produce tons, We grow one or two plants of "Sweet 100s" and usually get 80-90 pounds through out the year.  I usually "train" the plants up to a chicken wire platform four feet off the ground and then make the bunches of fruit hang down through the mesh.  Makes it a whole lot easier to pick and helps keep the pests out of them.

[MatGMax]

We cancelled the honey extraction and put it off till next Sunday.

It was raining so I was able to have a slow day.

(When it is raining the bees are all home. It is a bad time to rob them!)

thanks for the good wishes.

I've been feeling better this week.

 

I've had worn farms before.

They are great,

Down here in oz though they can easily get fried in summer. My sister (who has bipolar) got a fresh worn farm then had then cooked under black plastic in 110 F heat!

 

Gardening is great I find.

I'm slowly getting zoysia grass to take over the backyard. It is like ssri recovery in miniature!

 

Ps the beekeeping can be hard work and the bees can be uncooperative. it sounds far more fun than it is when 500 girls are trying to sting you. (Only female bees have stings).

Collecting fresh swarms is fun though.

I put out empty bee hives in spring with lemon grass oil in them and swarms come land in them to make a home.

 

West coast brass monkey, see if you can get a picture of your favourite plant and upload!

Maybe when it is a bit warmer ;-).

 

Cheers

 

Damien