Hobby Tracker

Hobbies. We all have them, some more expensive than others, some more healthy than others, some more productive than others. But they are how we fill (choose to fill) our free time. And this year (August 2024 to August 2025) will be the year of hobbies. I’m trying to select hobbies that a) don’t take up too much room because space is scarce b) aren’t too expensive and c) a person can do by themselves. As of now (July 2024) here is the lineup of hobbies I have. Be prepared to have more added later;

1. Writing. This is not so much of a hobby as it is a lifestyle. I blog and journal almost every day. Come September I will be working on yet another book. In the meantime I’m working on a astrology project, surveying my friends and families and seeing if their personalities match their sun signs. This will somehow be made scientific.

1. I started learning ASL. I can now spell my name. I can say please and ask where the bathroom is. I made a list of flashcards for the alphabet and I watch Youtube videos every day. Soon I will be able to tell people where the bathroom is (progress).

1. Piano and singing. I had stopped singing for a while because I was convinced that one of  my meds messed up my voice (it caused it to warble). I really missed it. I made my dad promise he wouldn’t ask me to sing at Cape Cod (our family reunion). He didn’t but now I wish I had. So now I’m back to the piano and I even started posting videos of me singing and playing. My cousin was generous enough to buy me a tripod and send it to me. I’m still nervous performing before a crowd but much less nervous than usual since no one is in the room with me. I’m even contemplating doing “theme weeks” like “Disney week” “Taylor Swift week” and “Beatles week”. In case you are wondering I sound nothing like Taylor Swift (she has much more of a range than me).

1. My own podcast. I’ve started a very brief weekly podcast where I dig up questions from Facebook groups on bipolar disorder and mental illness. I answer them on camera as honestly and usefully as I can. I don’t think anyone has even seen my podcasts except maybe my aunt but who knows? Maybe one day someone will find them helpful.

1. Diamond art. This was recommended to me by a friend. It is a very chill habit where you glue ‘diamonds’ onto a canvas to paint a picture. It doesn’t take much mental ability but it is very soothing, something to do at the end of a long day and produces a really pretty picture (In my case it was Winnie the Pooh). 

1. Any resident of any psychiatric hospital ever has learned the importance of coloring (and the fact that crayons just don’t satisfy as much as colored pencils which you are usually not allowed in  a mental hospital lest you lose it completely and stab yourself or someone else in the jugular). I have the most detailed coloring book in the entire world. I think I got it at fifteen. I’m twenty seven now and have only completed four pictures. That will be my legacy to my granddaughter who is expecting my entire inheritance.

1. Brainteasers. I like brainteasers the most out of puzzles. Of course brainteasers encompass most type of puzzles. There’s this amazing store in Provincetown, MA called Puzzle Me This. I got a book with 417 puzzles in it from trivia to riddles to anagrams. I’m only on Chapter 3 as I will say this book can be pretty tough.

1. Reading. I’ve always been an avid reader to the point where I have had serious debates with myself about if I read too much. I don’t. Now that that’s settled let’s talk about what I like to read: humor books, crime thrillers, and memoirs mostly. Any book with a gimmick (ex. told through diaries or letters). And absolutely no vampires. 

1. Jewlery making. I was only recently able to return to this hobby because for a long time my tremors prevented me from doing things with my fingers. One person even asked if I had Parksinsons. If you had seen me you would have understood its a valid question. But now I’m stringing beads like nobody’s business. I even made two Winnie the Pooh bracelets- one with Pooh and Piglet (gold and pink) and one with Tigger and Eeyore (orange and blue). I unfortunately don’t wear much jewlery myself so I guess my friends are in for a wealth of presents if they are the same wrist size as me.

1. Crafts. This encompasses alot. First of all, I love collages. Second of all, I love making cards of all kinds. Thirdly, I have every craft supply known to man. I highly recommend Distress Ink products. They are so cool and yielded some really pretty results. I’m trying to do more challenging crafts plus altered books. I started doing something called altered card. Its like an altered card but much smaller and its on a playing card that has been decorated with paper or paint. They make really nice Christmas cards.

1. Fashion. Now most people who know me might laugh if they heard this but I’m actually very interested in fashion or rather the history of fashion and their commercials (take those sexy American Apparel ads for example. How could you not find those fascinating….for science reasons of course). I was thinking if I learn enough about fashion maybe I could start designing (just for  me of course. My eyes only). Again I am a little self-conscious about this new old interest of mine but I much enjoy vintage fashion more than today’s. And if you go out shopping, you’ll see why.

1. Fitness. I’m going to make health a hobby because I think that will make it more appealing to me. Right now I’m going through a major Chrohn’s flare up so I can’t eat most healthy food like fruits and veggies. I also have been too sick to go to the gym. But on the days when I do go, I pant and sweat on the treadmill, not missing a beat. Oh and if anyone wants me on their basketball, soccer or volleyball team please let me know. 

Hobbies I’m Going to Try:

1. Cross stitching. Another thing I couldn’t do when I had the tremors. My brother’s girlfriend has magic fingers so when she visits next week she is going to teach me the basics of cross stitching (with her own material). So that’s super nice of her.

1. Cooking. This has to be a complete surprise to my mom. I want my boyfriend (who is masterful in the kitchen. He makes such delicious meals) to teach me to make some surprise dishes including one for Thanksgiving. I have two very skilled older cousins in the kitchen and I would like to join their ‘next generation cooking club’. But only if my boyfriend can also be a member. 

1. History. I love history. Ive read textbooks for fun and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I might undergo a project where I make a fake newspaper for each day in history (this idea is copyrighted. No clue what I’ll do with it next).

1. Parenting. I have always been fascinated with parenting. When I was about seven, I found a book about parenting on my mom’s shelf. I was shocked. I never knew there were books about parenting before (this was before I found out about self- help books). I told my parents I was going to read the book. This was met with amusement. Well, I actually read the book- cover to cover, even the appendixes. Even though I don’t have children I’d like to do something with parenting. So if you have an idea let me know. 

I’m sure I’ll think of more but for now I have my hands full. And yes I’ve considered the fact that I could be manic since I’m torn in so many different directions and excited about so much different stuff. But my mom has a theory that since I was sick from the Risperdal for several months, I am just bouncing back. With plenty of energy.