SS people sometimes have more time to pursue a interest/hobby. Maybe some because they can no longer work (in my case part-time) but everyone else seems to be at work. Or, you can longer run that marathon or ski that slope..whatever you did with "your spare time". Now you need to do something easier, not so tiring.
I watch birds at my feeders, I station myself in the sunroom, binoculars in hand and am entertained. I put on relaxing music, maybe light a candle if it's alittle dark. I like reading. Yes, I know I should be keeping up with the housework, laundry but I need enjoyment time for me.
What do you do , what interests you?
eye2dry
Most of my time is spent with the TV on to combat loneliness. Often dosing from boredom. I post here and if I feel up to it I work on my book on alternative healing. I do not read much any more but I do skim for notes. I hope that Dragon will help me do more with my computer text work.
I have to down load an integrated development environment for the Arduino Programmable interface controller. There are a number of projects that I would like to do. The study and learning part is were I am having trouble focusing.
I spend a fair amount of time doing Art love to do pastel portraits,I find it vey relaxing and the time just goes I go in my little work den and for ten minuties and find that 2 hours have gone in no time (a bit like being on the computer).
cheryl
I like to go to parks and watch the squirrels and sometimes the Canadian geese. We feed both. The park we go to the most has lots of squirrels and they have been fed so many times some will even come up to you and take the nut right out of your hand. My granddaughter is a little bit afraid of the geese. But she's is learning not to be. You have to really be careful because they will try to snap at you if you do something they don't like. I even get to watch the squirrels at my dentist. It makes it a little easier to go have a check up.
Great question - Only today I was saying to my sweetie that it feels really weird to not have major "life goals" at the moment.
I'm about 2 and a half years into this, and much of the time has been spent on the logistics of Sjogren's - finding doctors, dealing with insurance, Social Security, etc., plus some personal things, like selling a house.
But most of those will be wrapping up soon, and I hope to have more time soon. I've been helping a friend format a book she is writing, and that has been very rewarding. I feel better when I'm helping others, so I'm looking for ideas in that direction - I currently volunteer at the library for 2 hours a week answering computer questions. Luckily, they are very flexible, and understand if I can't make it.
I've been thinking about writing, but need to find out if I make any money on a book, does that impact my Social security benefit? I have a hummer feeder, and enjoy watching them, and I read a lot. Like Joe, I spend more time than I mean to in front of the TV.
So I'm looking for more ideas of what to do when I can do stuff.
Even though I am still busy (I have a FT+job and a 10 year old son) but I really do need ME time to keep from going crazy.
I like to read health and beauty magazines, pat and walk my dogs, help my little one with homework or just cuddle up and watch a show. My hobby that is more of a vice - online shopping. I can't handle crowds and germs so i LUV amazon.
I also, when I have time, like to paint my nails so I look semi-decent.
KellyG
I have recently moved to FL and miss my old friends. It's harder to make new ones when you don't work, but it's been a goal of mine. I've started a monthly Happy Hour for the neighborhood which is growing monthly. Neighbors who have lived here twenty years are meeting people they've never met. I've now met about half of my neighbors. I also volunteer at a local Thrift Store for about three hours a week. And deliver Meals on Wheels once a week. This week I start a painting class. Oh yeah, and we just bought a Motorhome so we'll be camping a lot of weekends. Gosh, now that I put it all in writing, I'm exhausted thinking about it. I guess the difference is that everything is done in small doses, not 8 - 10 hours a day like when you're working full time.
I really can't get out a lot .. so I'm home alone.
It hurts too much to talk so I prefer to be home alone.
I do light housework. Sometimes a short walk with the dog.
I also spend about 4 hours a day in meditation/prayer.
If my eyes aren't hurting too much, I'll read.
Evenings .... reruns of 'How I met your Mother' and '2 1/2 men' on FX.
Sometimes I'll go watch my daughter at her swim team practice -
if it's a really 'good' day. (good as in ... not as bad as others)
eye2dry -- it is amazing how so many people could not tell a cardinal from a wren. I know them from my folks telling me and getting me a little kids book of birds and butterflies. I still remember too. I get a kick watching the squirrels too.
I do genealogy as a hobby. I will do it for a few months, set it aside, and revisit it. I've made maps where it shows how certain last names moved across the state during a time period. I try to read what what happening where at the time my ancestor was there too. I've always likes history so it is interesting to me.
My SjS is very mild atm and I can do all the activties healthy ppl do still having much more energy than averge healthy ppl do. I wonder how long it lasts.
When I think that some day I may not be able to work I imagine that I may have time to do some activties I like and I don't have currently enough time for:
- reading books (or listening to audiobooks if eyes hurt),
- playing online poker - that one requires a lot of focus therefore I wonder if it's not too demanding during flare,
- watch some more movies and sport on TV.
Eye2dry,
I too enjoy the bird watching. I have a nice variety here in the mountains of VA (Cardinals, indigo buntings, gold finches, etc). I also get to see a few black bears. They come to steal the bird seed. I'm not kidding, they come WHILE I'm sitting on the screened porch...so often I have named them. I have to bring my feeders inside the garage every night...or they won't be there in the morning...LOL
I have been on disability since 1996, so don't work. But I try to do something small (project) around the house each day to keep me moving.
hello Anita
you have trouble with bears? that sounds like real entertainment to watch that. especially since I don't get to see bears here in central Ohio. I never dreamed they would like bird seed.
I do have a racoon problem though, but i don't get the pleasure at seeing them "at work" on the feeders because they visit in the dark. I get to see the aftermath some mornings...empty feeders, tube feeders on the ground with the lid unscrewed, lard cake basket pryed open. once they even uprooted my solar lights and took the cover off the tops and put them in the pond!
yes, I love to watch nature in general.
I think it feeds my soul with calm and peace.
eye2dry
Last summer, momma bear and her two cubs would come 3-4 times a day. I end up having to put the feeders away for a couple weeks to discourage the visits. I love watching the bears but encouraging visits can lead to bigger problems...like trying to get into the house. Once a day visits every now & then are okay. They say not to let them too comfortable. I think mine are, because I can yell at them to go away and they look at me like I'm crazy and don't move a muscle. They like any kind of bird seed, but especially sunflower seeds. They tip the feeder up and empty it right into their mouth...or rip it down and walk away with it under their arm.
I made the mistake right after moving out here of keeping the bird seed in a large sealed tub on the screened in porch. Two bears ripped open the screen and sat on the carpeted porch and had a feast. Left a huge mess!!! And they left their huge paw prints on the french doors leading into the house..where they had obviously been peering in the glass.
But it's nice to enjoy nature this way. We have lots of critters here, but the birds and bears are my favorite.
im 37 and am on SSD.. wow.. i couldnt work cause of my burning dry dry eyes.. lately its been just the left and the right eye is fine.very strange..
anyway, i watch soap operas-but they have cancelled the 2 i love so i am bummed. tomorrow is the last day of one life to live and i plan on watching it with my 66 year old mom..
so other than watch tv, i visit my parents quite often, visit with friends, run to the drugstore, grocery when i can, clean if i can (although not that often)
oh i enjoy knitting and reading..would like to date but everytime i feel like joining a dating site i flare up and say forget it.. also my kitty Speedy keeps me entertained.!
Let's see, I crochet, needlepoint and draw among other things. The only problem is that doing it for an hour or so wears my eyes out really fast so can only work on one project per weekend; very slow going.
Patze
My fur children, plants, my home with dear hubby, tv, and just got a sewing machine that I am getting ready to make a new purse bag. It's called a bow tuck bag, and they are my favorite. I have only made one so far.
I made my daughter in law a needle book, and tonight tried making a little felt tissue holder. Made my son a pillow case. I have got to make my two sisters something, because they both have a Feb birthday coming up. Me and my husband both enjoy our love affair with coffee. Yes coffee.
susanep :)
I recently joined a seniors activity center. I will be taking Tai-Chi and hopefully a computer class if enough people register. My friend's sister has offered to give me some lessons on how to use my camera and photo taking tips.
I am determined to have a new outlook. Surely I have bouts of depression from dealing with these ailments, but I have a life to live.
Duchess